Autoimmunity & Tolerance MCQ Quiz | Immunology

Welcome to the Autoimmunity and Tolerance quiz for MBBS students. This quiz is designed to test your understanding of the core immunological concepts that prevent the immune system from attacking self-antigens and the mechanisms that lead to autoimmune diseases when these controls fail. You will face 25 multiple-choice questions covering topics from central and peripheral tolerance, molecular mimicry, and epitope spreading to specific autoimmune disorders like SLE, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Type 1 Diabetes. Carefully select the best answer for each question. After submitting, your score will be displayed, and the correct answers will be highlighted. You will also have the option to download all questions with their correct answers as a PDF for your revision. Good luck!

1. The process of negative selection of T lymphocytes primarily occurs in which anatomical location?

2. The AIRE (Autoimmune Regulator) gene is crucial for central tolerance. A mutation in this gene is associated with which of the following conditions?

3. Which transcription factor is essential for the development and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs)?

4. A T cell that recognizes a self-antigen presented by a dendritic cell in a peripheral lymph node but does not receive co-stimulation (Signal 2) will most likely undergo:

5. Molecular mimicry is a proposed mechanism for autoimmunity. Which of the following is a classic example of this phenomenon?

6. The presence of anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) and anti-Smith (anti-Sm) antibodies is highly specific for which autoimmune disease?

7. In Graves’ disease, the pathophysiology is driven by autoantibodies that act as agonists for which receptor?

8. Which of the following is an inhibitory receptor expressed on T cells that plays a key role in peripheral tolerance by binding to B7 ligands (CD80/CD86) with high affinity?

9. The primary mechanism of tissue damage in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is:

10. Myasthenia gravis is caused by autoantibodies that target:

11. A strong genetic association exists between HLA-B27 and which of the following diseases?

12. The phenomenon where an initial immune response to a single epitope on a self-antigen leads to subsequent responses against other epitopes on the same antigen is known as:

13. Goodpasture’s syndrome is a classic example of which type of hypersensitivity reaction?

14. Which of the following is considered an immunologically privileged site, where foreign antigens do not elicit a strong inflammatory immune response?

15. The Fas/FasL pathway is critical for maintaining lymphocyte homeostasis and peripheral tolerance. Its primary function is to induce:

16. In Pemphigus vulgaris, autoantibodies are directed against which cellular component, leading to blistering of the skin and mucous membranes?

17. Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody used to treat certain autoimmune diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis, targets which molecule on B cells?

18. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is characterized by hypothyroidism and autoantibodies against which of the following?

19. Which of the following statements about central B cell tolerance is TRUE?

20. Anti-Ro/SSA and Anti-La/SSB antibodies are characteristic findings in which autoimmune condition?

21. The release of previously ‘hidden’ antigens from immunologically privileged sites due to trauma can lead to autoimmunity. This mechanism is known as:

22. Which cytokine, primarily produced by Tregs, is crucial for suppressing immune responses and maintaining peripheral tolerance?

23. In rheumatoid arthritis, antibodies against citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) are highly specific. The process of citrullination represents what kind of change that can lead to a loss of tolerance?

24. The primary pathogenic mechanism in Multiple Sclerosis involves:

25. Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia, where antibodies bind to red blood cell surface antigens leading to their destruction, is a classic example of: