Question

Discuss the mechanisms behind type II hypersensitivity reaction and the immune response in a 45-year-old man named Tom who presents with fatigue, jaundice, and dark urine. It is determined that he has autoimmune hemolytic anemia, where his immune system is attacking his own red blood cells. What are the mechanisms behind this type II hypersensitivity reaction and the immune response?

Answer 1

Type II hypersensitivity reactions involve the binding of antibodies to self-antigens or exogenous cell-surface molecules. In autoimmune hemolytic anemia, the immune system attacks red blood cells, leading to complement-mediated lysis and activation of the complement cascade, resulting in symptoms like fatigue, jaundice, and dark urine.

Step-by-step explanation:

Type II hypersensitivity reactions involve the binding of antibodies, specifically IgG and IgM, to self-antigens or exogenous cell-surface molecules. In the case of autoimmune hemolytic anemia, the immune system of Tom, the 45-year-old man, is attacking his own red blood cells. This occurs when antibodies bind to antigens associated with blood typing found on the red blood cells, leading to complement-mediated lysis of the red blood cells and activation of the complement cascade. This results in symptoms such as fatigue, jaundice, and dark urine.