Question

1. Discuss the role of psychoneuroimmunology in medical diagnostics and in our daily lives.

2. Briefly discuss the role of the complement system in disease and diseases associated with complement deficiencies.

Answer 1

Ans:- Following is the role of psychoneoroimmunology:-

1. Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) may provide the scientific basis for personalized and systems medicine.

2. it gives us an idea about the effect of psychological and behavioral factors on progression of cancer and the treatment of cancer.

3. it helps to analyze the behavioral changes caused by the stress like poor sleep patterns, poor eating, lack of exercise which inturn affect immune system hence constructive stretegies can be followed in such cases to reduce the further slowing down of immune system by stress.

4.it gives the understanding about the existence of chemicals called neurotransmitters and help in diagnosing the problems associated in such cases.

Ans 2:- Activation of complement results in the production of several biologically active molecules which contribute to killing of cell, opsonization, chemotaxis, anaphylaxis and inflamation. The multiple interconnections among complement proteins, immune cells, and mediators provide an excellent mechanism to protect the organism against infections and support the repair of damaged tissues. However, disturbances in this “defense machinery” contribute to the pathogenesis of various diseases.

The small complement fragments C3a, C4a and C5a act on a specific receptors to produce local inflamatory responses. When produced in large amounts they induce a shockline syndrome similar to that seen in systemic allergic reaction involving IgE antibodies. Such a reaction is termed anaphylactic shock and these small fragments of complement are therefore often referred to as anaphylotoxins. Of the three, C5a is the most stable and has the highest specific biological activity.

Diseases associated with complement system:- these diseases are caused because of absence of suboptimal functioning of one of the complement system proteins. Deficiency of the classical pathway is associated with an increased risk of developing Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).In Henoch-Scönlein purpura (HSP) it has been shown that complement, in particular the classical and lectin pathways, are involved in the development of the disease.The anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) is a clinical condition characterized by arterial and venous thrombosis and pregnancy complications.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is affected by complement and although activation is potentially related to the occurrence of inflammation, complement deficiency may induce RA.