Antigen Capture and Presentation Flashcards
How does the Innate IR initiate the Adaptive IR?
Two signals:
- Process and present Ag to T-cells
- Generation of surface molecules that function as co-stimulatory signal with Ag to activate T and B cells
What are MHCs?
Major histocompatibility complex
They are antigen presenting molecules to T-lymphocytes
Also referred to as HLA (human leukocyte Ag)
What are the 2 classes of MHC? Where are they found?
Class 1 and Class 2
Class I is found on all nucleated cells
Class II is found on professional APCs: dendritic cells, macrophages, B-lymphocytes and some thymocytes
There is a Class III but it is not an APC
How were MHCs found?
During transplantations. There was histocompatibility if the transplanted tissue was accepted at self.
Describe MHC location and organization.
The allele is found on chromosome 6
Highly polymorphic - more than 150 separate alleles
Describe the MHC/HLA haplocyte.
Total set of MHC/HLA alleles present on each chromosome
Heterozygous - one from mom and dad
Codominant expression
Why is the codominant expression of the MHC/HLA allele important?
Increases number of different MHC molecules that can present peptides to T-cells
Why is the polymorphism of the MHC/HLA allele important?
Ensures that different individuals are able to present and respond to different microbial peptides
Which class of MHC is more variable?
Class 2
Describe Class 1 MHC.
Membrane bound glycoproteins
Expressed on all nucleated cells
Present Ag to CD8 cytotoxic Ts
Inhibitory receptor for NK cells
What genes encode for Class 1 MHCs?
HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C
What is the structure of Class 1 MHCs?
4 extracellular globular domains Heterodimer of 2 proteins: a chain (a1, a2, a3) - HLA encoded B-microglobulin - nonHLA encoded covalently linked
What is the peptide binding groove on Class 1 MHCs?
Area b/w the a1 and a2 domains - site with the greatest polymorphism
Binds peptides of about 8-10 aa - the closed ends limit size
Each allele has different range of peptide that can bind
If its hydrophilic, only hydrophilic molecules bind.
How are Class 1 MHCs synthesized?
a chain translated into ER where it interacts with B2 micro globulin
Associates with peptides derived form cytosolic (intracellular) proteins
Transported to surface
What is a key features of Class 1 MHCs?
All alleles of Class 1 can be expressed at same time, so you can have up to 6 different class 1 MHCs being expressed that present slightly different shapes and sizes of peptides.
What genes at Class II MHCs encoded by?
HLA-D region:
HLA-DP, HLA-DQ, HLA-DR
Describe Class II MHCs.
Membrane bound glycoproteins
Primarily on APCs - DCs, macrophages, B-cells
Present Ag to CD4 T-cells
What is the structure of Class II MHCs?
Heterodimer - a (a1 and a2) & B chains (B1 and B2)
Strongly associated instead of covalent linkage
What is the peptide binding groove on Class II MHCs?
Formed by a1 and B1.
Binds peptides b/w 13 and 18 aa - open ends
a1 and B1 domains - greatest polymorphism
How are Class II MHCs synthesized?
a and B chains synthesized in ER and interact with a third protein (invariant chain) that blocks the peptide binding domain
Invariant chain is degraded in an endocytic compartment and peptides can bind that have entered cell via endocytosis
What is the key feature of Class II MHCs?
All alleles of a and B chain are expressed. So you can have 6 a chains and 6 B chains that can all bind with each other (a to B). Makes it very diverse and a greater range of peptides can bind.
What is characteristic about peptide binding to the MHCs?
Low affinity interaction
So it has a slow “on” rate and and slow “off” rate, which allows the peptide to be bound long enough for T-cell to interact with it.
One peptide at a time
How does a peptide bind to the MHC?
Side chains of the peptide will fit into pockets on the floors of the peptide binding cleft. This anchors the peptide. There are residue of peptide that bow upwards and are recognized by Ag receptors on T-cells.
What is significant about minor MHCs in males?
Ags can be encoded on Y chromosome. This results in acute rejection of male grafts in females.
Explain the Dendritic Cell expression of Class 2 MHCs.
Constitutive expression, increased by IFN-y
Ag presentation to naive T in initiation of T-cell response to protein Ags.
Explain the Macrophage expression of Class 2 MHCs.
Low or negative, induced by IFN-y
Ag presentation in CD4 effector T cells in effector phase of cell-mediated response
Explain the B-cells expression of Class 2 MHCs.
Constitutive expression, increased by cytokines (IL-4)
APC to CD4 helper Ts in humoral immune response
Explain the process of when an antigen is captured.
Microbe phagocytosed by APC. Travel to the closest lymphoid tissue. On the way, process antigen and ready to express. Lose adhesive markers and up regulate CCR7. Increase expression of MHCs and CD80 (DC)