Adaptive Immunity Flashcards
What is adaptive immunity?
Immunity that is induced by the presence of foreign material
Specific
Examples of adaptive immunity:
B cells
T cells
Where do B and T cells develop?
B cells: Bone marrow
T cells: Thymus
Where do B and T cells circulate in their inactive form?
Around their primary lymphoid tissue (site of development)
How are B and T cells activated?
By antigens in the secondary lymphoid tissue
E.g. lymph nodes
What happens when B cell encounters antigens (4)?
- Membrane-bound antibodies on the B cells bind to target antigen IgM within the B cell zone of lymph nodes
- Activated by antigen signals and ‘helper signals’
- B-cells clonally proliferate and become antibodies or a memory B cell
- IgM (high affinity) and IgG (produced by B cells responding to certain antigens) antibodies produced
Dendritic cells function
Act as a bridge between the innate and acquired immune system
Express antigens on their cell surface and present them to T cells
What is the complement system and how is it activated?
Activated in response to inflammation and creates a cascade of chemical reactions
MBL pathway (5):
- C3 is cleaved into the active C3a and C3b
- C3b can then cleave C5 into C5a and C5b
- C3b can then amplify the reaction via the alternative pathway, causing more C3 to cleave into C3a and C3b
- C5b produces the membrane attack complex, which inserts into cell walls and destroys the cell by letting salt and water in
- C3a and C5a are responsible for acute inflammation
What are acute phase proteins?
Proteins produced by the liver whose plasma concentrations increase or decrease in response to inflammation
Role of CRP
Activates complement via classical pathway
Rapidly increases during inflammation
Short half life - decreases rapidly after
Role of MBL:
Activates complement via MBL pathway
Role of CD4 + T cells
activate B cells & stimulate production of memory B cells
Role of CD8 + Killer T cells
Kill infected cells via perforin/granzymes/granulysin
Antibody structure:
Made up of 2 light chains and 2 heavy chains
Each has a unique variable region (antigen binding site) which is specific against one antigen
Where are membrane bound antibodies located?
On the surface of B cells
T-cell antigen receptor (TCR):
Can only recognise peptide antigens that are presented by MHC molecules