Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus) is a classic example of a type III hypersensitivity reaction. This condition is characterized by the formation of autoantibodies against nuclear antigens. These antibodies bind to the antigens, forming immune complexes that circulate and deposit in various tissues, such as the kidneys, skin, and joints. The deposition of these complexes activates the complement system and recruits inflammatory cells, leading to tissue damage and the systemic manifestations of the disease.

B. Graves disease: This is a type II hypersensitivity reaction, where autoantibodies stimulate the TSH receptor on thyroid cells, causing hyperthyroidism.

C. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: This is primarily a type IV (T-cell mediated) hypersensitivity reaction, leading to the destruction of thyroid tissue by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes.

D. Allergic rhinitis: This is a type I (IgE-mediated) hypersensitivity reaction, where allergens trigger the release of histamine from mast cells.

E. Myasthenia gravis: This is a type II hypersensitivity reaction, where autoantibodies block or destroy acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction.

1. Abbas

A. K.

Lichtman

A. H.

& Pillai

S. (2020). Cellular and Molecular Immunology (10th ed.). Elsevier.

For Lupus (Type III): Chapter 19

"Diseases Caused by Immune Responses: Hypersensitivity and Autoimmunity

" Section on "Immune Complex-Mediated Diseases (Type III Hypersensitivity)

" states

"Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the prototypic systemic immune complex–mediated disease."

For Graves disease and Myasthenia gravis (Type II): Chapter 19

Section on "Antibody-Mediated Diseases (Type II Hypersensitivity)

" lists Graves' disease and myasthenia gravis as examples of diseases caused by antibodies against cell surface receptors.

For Hashimoto's thyroiditis (Type IV): Chapter 19

Section on "T Lymphocyte-Mediated Diseases (Type IV Hypersensitivity)

" describes Hashimoto's thyroiditis as an autoimmune disease resulting from T-cell mediated destruction of thyroid epithelial cells.

2. Justiz Vaillant

A. A.

& Zulfiqar

H. (2023). Hypersensitivity Reactions. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560561/

Table 1

"Gell and Coombs Classification of Hypersensitivity Reactions

" explicitly lists Systemic Lupus Erythematosus under Type III

Allergic Rhinitis under Type I

Graves' Disease and Myasthenia Gravis under Type II

and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis under Type IV.

3. Stanford University School of Medicine. (n.d.). Immunology Course (IMM 205/206) Lecture Notes: Hypersensitivity Reactions.

In lectures covering the Gell and Coombs classification

Lupus is consistently presented as the archetypal Type III reaction due to immune complex deposition in tissues like the glomeruli. Graves' disease and Myasthenia gravis are used as primary examples of Type II receptor-targeting antibody-mediated disease.