7: Lymphocytes Flashcards
Adaptive immunity, immune memory, antigen receptor diversity, T cells, MHC, B cells, antibody function
Adaptive immunity
response of vertebrate immune system to a specific antigen that typically generates immunological memory
Cells involved in adaptive immunity
B cells
Antibodies
T cells
Natural killer T cell (also in innate immunity)
An adaptive immune response (AIR) is initiated when
a pathogen overwhelms innate defence mechanisms
pathogen replicates, antigen accumulates = sensor cells become activated to trigger AIR
Expansion of antigen-specific lymphocytes that target pathogen specifically, formation of memory cells providing long-lasting specific immunity
Role of adaptive immune system
- Improves efficacy of innate immune system
- Focuses a response on site of infection and organism responsible
- has memory
- needs time to develop
What major event occurs in peripheral lymphoid tissues to initiate adaptive immune responsse?
B or T lymphocytes encounter antigens for which receptors have specific reactivity
Antigen
molecules recognised by highly specialised lymphocyte receptors, which act to induce an adaptive immune response
2 hallmarks of adaptive immune response
- Creates immunological memory; long-lasting protection
- Highly specific : recognises non-self antigens
Issue with Specificity
antigen diversity - large number of lymphocyte receptors that can recognise array of antigens needed
10^15 different antibody/BCR molecules can be generated each coded by one gene = this isnt possible so immunoglobulin gene rearrangement occurs
Immunoglobulin gene rearrangement
Each BCR receptor chain encoded by separate multigene families on different chromosomes
During B cell maturation, gene segments rearranged and brought together
How is diversity generated overall?
Germline diversity
Combinatorial diversity
Junctional diversity
Heavy + light chain diversity
Germline diversity
Each gene segment consists of different base sequence
Combinatorial diversity
formation of different combinations of V, J and D segments from each cluster
Junctional diversity
addition/removal of random bases to form a viable junction between selected V, D and J segments
Heavy+light chain diversity
same heavy chain can be combined with different versions of a light chain (and vice versa)- many different combinations of heavy and light chain V regions that pair to form antigen-binding site in immunoglobulin molecule
Issues with the process of gene rearrangement
with many different receptors generated randomly during lifetime, possibility of self-reactive antibodies –> autoimmunity
Immunological memory
quicker response, producing antibodies
T cell response
Cell-mediated response
B cell response
Humoral/antibody response
Lymph node interactions of B cells
stay outside lymph node
- respond directly to antigens drained into the lymph node
Lymph node interactions of T cells
Interior to lymph node
3 Types of T cells
Antigen binds to receptor - cell proliferates and differentiates into :
Cytotoxic T cells
Helper T cells
Regulatory T cells
Cytotoxic T cells
kill infected cells or other intracellular pathogens bearing the antigen
Helper T cells
provide signals (specific cytokines) that activate other cell functions e.g B cell antibody production / macrophage killing engulfed pathogens
Regulatory T cells
suppress other lymphocyte activity
help limit possible damage of immune response
What molecule on T cell surface helps distinguish T helper and T killer cells
CD4 - helper
CD8- killer
Types of Th cells
Tfh
Th1
Th17
Th2
Treg (Th0)
Tfh cells
pro-antibody
B-cell support
Produce : IL-21