Antibody and effector B cell functions (Humoral Immunity) Flashcards
Involvement of complement in periodontitis
- the perio pocket is >4 mm deep
- severe inflammation due to bacteria leads to alveolar bone loss
- the sub gingival biofilm in the pocket is dysbiotic
- the subverted immune response, including complement, is the culprit
What mediates humoral immunity?
antibodies: perform their effector function at sites distant from their production and can be transported across epithelial barrires. They provide defense against extracellular microbes, microbial toxins, and viruses or intracellular bacteria before they infect cells or when they are released from infected cells
describe the role of antibodies in protective immunity
- protective immunity is mediated by antibodies derived from short-lived and long-lived antibody-producing plasma cells and by activation of memory B cells
- antibodies can be harmful and mediate tissue injury
the most effective vaccines induce protection by…
stimulating antibody production
what are the 7 NEED-to-know effector functions of antibodies (immunoglobulins)?
- neutralization of microbes and toxins by inhibiting binding of microbes to receptor so they cannot infect cells
- opsonization and phagocytosis of microbes (Fc receptor binding)
- antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (Fc binding to NK cells)
- lysis of microbes
- phagocytosis of microbes opsonized with complement fragments (eg. C3b)
- inflammation
- complement activation
which region of the Ig mediates neutralization of pathogen?
Variable region (Fab)
which region of the Ig mediates elimination of pathogen?
Constant region (Fc)
*binding of FcR from phagocytes, mast cells, eosinophils, and NK cells
*complement activation
Both neutralization and elimination are triggered by binding of…
antigens to the variable region of Ig
Istotype responsible for activation of the classical pathway of complement
IgM
Istotype responsible for eosinophil and mast cell-mediated defense against helminths
IgE
Istotype responsible for mucosal immunity (secretion into lumens of GI and respiratory tracts, neutralization microbes and toxins)
IgA
What contributes to the increased half-life of IgG?
Neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn)
- circulating proteins half-life: hours to days
- IgG half-life: 3 weeks
- IgG are sequestered by endosomal FcRn in endothelial cells and phagocytes, where recycling of the endosome allows IgG released from FcRn and re-expressed on cell surface
- concept exploited for therapy (TNF receptor-Etanercept)
How does neutralization of extracellular microbes by antibodies occur?
Antibodies bind molecules on the surface of the microbes and block their entrance into the cells/tissues (binding molecules on the microbes required for infecting cells/tissues)
Examples of binding molecules on the microbes required for infecting cells/tissues
- hemagglutinin (influenza virus)
- pilli (gram- bacteria)
IgG is found in ___, IgA is found in ___
blood, mucosa
Antibodies with ___ affinity for antigens are the most effective at neutralization of microbes
high affinity
describe the neutralization of a virus
- virus binds to receptors on cell surface
- receptor-mediated endocytosis of virus
- acidification of endosome after endocytosis triggers fusion of virus with cell and entry of virus DNA
*an antibody would block binding of virus to receptor and also can block the fusion event
What is the polio vaccine?
Attenuated polio virus - mucosal IgA
What is the Hep A or B vaccine?
recombinant viral envelope proteins - systemic IgG
describe the neutralization of microbial toxins
Antibody blocks binding of toxin to cellular receptor
- anti-toxin Ig
- Toxin examples: tetanus toxin induces paralysis, diphtheria toxin is a protein synthesis inhibitor. Vaccines use toxoid to stimulate immune response
- steric hindrance: prevention of molecular interactions as a result of the spatial structure
How do Ig mediate phagocytosis of microbes? (overview)
Binding of Ig-coated microbes by Fc receptors
FcgammaRIIIA (CD16)
- distrusted on NK cells
- functions in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)
Fc receptors
Receptors on the phagocyte’s surface that specifically bind to antibodies
- bind constant region of Ig and FcR clustering results in cellular activation except for Fc[gamma]RIIB
- clustering of FcR requires recognition of multivalent antigen by Ig
FcgammaRI (CD64)
- has high affinity for Ig
- distrusted on macrophages, neutrophils, mast cells, eosinophils
- functions in phagocytosis and activation of phagocytes
describe antibody-mediated opsonization and phagocytosis
- IgG coat microbes and promote their phagocytosis by binding to Fc receptors on phagocytes (macrophages and neutrophils)
- coating process = opsonization. The substances that perform this function are the opsonins.
- Fc receptors deliver signals via FcR chain that promote phagocytosis and stimulate the microbial activities
step-by-step antibody-mediated opsonization and phagocytosis
- opsonization of microbe by IgG (multivalent antibody-coated microbe)
- binding of opsonized microbes to phagocyte Fc receptors (FcR clustering required)
- Fc receptor signals activate phagocyte
- phagocytosis and killing of ingested microbe
How do IgG induce NK cell cytotoxicity of infected cells? (overview)
Binding of IgG-coated cells by Fc receptors
describe antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC)
- NK cells bind IgG-coated cells via FcgRIII (CD16) and discharge granules resulting in killing of antibody-coated cells
- FcgRIII binds aggregated IgG not circulating monomeric IgG
- for infected cells displaying infectious agent antigen on surface
How do IgE induce mast cells/eosinophil degranulation?
Binding of IgE-helminth or IgE-allergens by Fc receptors
Describe IgE and eosinophil-mediated killing of helminth
- FceRI binds Fc portion of IgE-coated helminth
- triggers degranulation of toxic mediators that kill helminth
Describe Fce-mediated allergic disease
- mast cells/basophils are coated with IgE specific for allergens via their FceRI
- clustering of FceRI bound to IgE by multivalent allergen triggers degranulation
How do vaccines work? (overview)
Microbe-specific Ig are being produced by memory B cells
What was the first vaccine?
- Edward Jenner 1796: inoculation of cowpox virus (obtained from pus from skin blister) protected individual against smallpox
- terminology derives from vaccus: cow
- first prescribed vaccine which eradicated the disease
- cowpox and smallpox viruses share some surface antigens: cowpox antibodies bind to neutralize the smallpox virus
What makes the most effective vaccine?
Production of high-affinity neutralizing antibodies and memory cells
which form of vaccines are more potent?
Live attenuated or killed vaccine are more potent. Allows for better immune response with TLRs
Ex: BCG, cholera
What do subunit vaccines contain?
Non-living vaccine antigens and Alum (adjuvant - means “to help” to try and stimulate better immune response)
Ex: tetanus toxoid, diphtheria toxoid