Adaptive Inmunity Flashcards
Describe the basic structure of an antibody molecule
Symmetrical
Two heavy chains
Two light chains
Connected by disulphides bridges
The hinge region allows flexibility of the Fab- from parallel to right angles between arms
Fc region bound by Fc receptors made only from heavy chains
Fab is made from V(L), V(C), V(H), V(H1)
The variable regions comprise the antibody binding sites
How do B cells recognise antigens?
Surface immunoglobulins
CD79 co receptors signal inside the cell once antigens have bound
Ig recognise antigens with their variable regions of heavy and light chains- hyper variable regions (complementarity-determining regions; CVR)
How do T cells recognise antigens?
TcR is surrounded by CD3, and itself is an isolated, membrane-bound Fab region
Surface bound T-cell receptors (alpha-beta or gamma-delta)
Resembles the Fab region of an immunoglobulin
CD3 complex signals inside the cell when the peptide/MHC binding site binds a cell surface antigen
Has either a CD4 (T cell helper) or CH8 (T cell cytotoxic)
The recognise small peptides in the groove of MHC molecules
Describe the thymus
Two main cellular elements
-haemopoietic BM-derived precursors
-stromal cells that provide the niche and building block
Capsule, Cortex and medulla (inner)
Blood vessel enters in the medulla with the medullary epithelium then there is the cortical epithelium with dendritic cells at the boundary, the subcapsular epithelium and then the capsule
The thymus involuted with age- T cells produced decrease
Describe the stages of T cell development
Double negative- CD4-CD8-
In blood stream, migrate through the cortex towards the capsule
Double positive- CD4+CD8+
Migrate through the cortex to the medulla
CD4+ single positive or CD8+ single positive
Found in the medulla
Describe the first checkpoint in T cell development
Maturation from double negative to double positive
- commitment to the T cell lineage (precursor needs identity so epithelial cells give notch signal, forming alpha,beta Tc instead of DC, NK)
- Cellular expansion (controlled by IL-2,7, 15 or sc factor)
- Rearrangement of genes encoding the T cell receptor- VDJ recombination of the beta chain
How are T cells with fully rearranged TcR-beta chain genes selected?
Pre-T cell receptor complex
Expressed only on the double negative thymocytes
Consists of TCR-beta protein, CD3 and pre-Talpha
Assembly of this pre-T cell receptor signals for the cell to stop further beta rearrangement (allelic exclusion), CD4, CD8 expression, TCR-alpha rearrangement and cellular expansion
Describe the need for positive and negative selection of TCRs
Genetic rearrangement is random so need to expand useful TCRs, recognise peptide-MHC of low affinity and avidity and remove any harmful TCRs, recognise peptide/MHC at high affinity and acidity via positive and negative selection
Describe positive and negative selection
Affinity model- low affinity give positive selection
High affinity gives negative section
Avidity model- low avidity gives positive selection
High avidity give negative selection
Negative selection occurs via apoptosis
Positive selection happens in the cortex- there is a random binding of the TCR CD4 or CD8 to the MHC2 or MHC1 complex respectively on the thymic epithelium giving a single positive cell
Negative selection happens in the medulla- high affinity/avidity➡️apoptosis
How are antigens presented on dentritic cells?
Expression on MHCs via the endogenous pathway for MHC1 expression- cytosolic derived proteins degraded and the peptide added to MHC1 in the RER and then trafficked to the surface
Exogenous expression for MHC2 as the externally derived protein meets MHC2 on its way to the surface (CLIP prevents other proteins binding until then)
Cross presentation of exogenous proteins will end up in the class1 pathway for viral protein presentation for other cells
How dendritic cells mature?
Immature peripheral DCs have a variety of PRRs that are activated by PAMPs➡️ TLR signalling induces CCR7 and enhances antigen processing➡️ migrate into lymphoid tissues and increase expression of MHC and co-stimulatory molecules
Mature dendritic cells enter the lymph node form infects tissue and can transfer antigens to resident dendritic cells that can stimulate T cells
How are T cells activated?
T cells enter the lymph node via the high endothelial venules and migrate into the T cell areas
Dendritic cells migrate there too and the T cells wonder over the DCs and if they are activated proliferate and differentiate before they can exit the lymph node
Describe the molecular interactions between dendritic cells and T cells
MHC2-TCR + CD4- signal 1 Activation
CD28-CD80 CD86- signal 2 survival
Cytokines- signal 3 differentiation
What is the importance of IL2 in driving T cell proliferation?
Resting T cells express a low affinity IL2 receptor (beta, gamma chains only)
Activated T cells express a high affinity IL2 receptor (with the alpha chain) and secrets IL2
Binding of IL2 sing aka did the T cells to enter the cell cycle so induces proliferation
Name the different types of effector T cell subsets
CD8 cytotoxic T cells- kills virus infected cells
CD4 Th1 cells- activate infected macrophages and help B cells for antibody production
CD4 Th2 cells- provide help to B cells for Ab production especially switching to IgE (helminths)
CD4 Th17 cell- enhance neutrophil response- promote barrier integrity
Tfh cells- isotype switching
CD4 regulatory T cells- suppress T cell responses
Describe the differentiation and function of CD4+ Th2 cells
Stimulated by IL4 Secrete IL4,5,13 TF is GATA3 Promotes resistance to large extracellular helminth parasites IL4 promotes class switch to IgE Drives macrophage activation