Antigen Presentation. Flashcards
antigen presenting cells
macrophages, dendritic cells, and B cells that process and present foreign pathogen antigens for the purpose of activating T cells and adaptive immune defenses
MHC molecules display…
peptides derived from protein antigens
T cells recognize peptide antigens displayed by…
MHC molecules on APCs
Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a group of genes that encode proteins on the cell surface that have an important role in immune response. Their main role is in antigen presentation where MHC molecules display peptide fragments for recognition by appropriate T-cells.
describe the process of how microbial antigens are transported to lymphoid organs where recognition by T cells occurs
- dendritic cells residing in tissues capture microbes and antigens
- cell-free antigens are drained via lymphatic vessels
- antigens enter blood stream
- lymph node collects antigen from tissue
- blood born antigens are captured by antigen presenting cells in the spleen
the majority of dendritic cells in tissues and lymphoid organs are…
classical dendritic cells
(classical DC are in the T cell zone of the lymph nodes to be able to interact)
describe the capture and presentation of antigens by dendritic cells
- immature DC capture protein antigen
- DC are activated via PRR and migrate to lymph node via chemokine gradient
- mature DC present antigens to T cells (finish maturation in the lymph node)
what makes dendritic cells the most potent APC for activating naive T cells?
They constitutively express Class II MHC and costimulators, and also increases with maturation. They don’t need to be activated to be able to present class II MHC.
(macrophages and B lymphocytes have low or negative levels, or need to be induced)
What determines the specific recognition of antigens?
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules
describe the genes of MHC locus
- human MHC proteins are called human leukocyte antigens (HLA)
- two sets of highly polymorphic genes: Class I MHC genes and Class II MHC genes (each has its own locus)
- other nonpolymorphic genes associated with antigen presentation, cytokine, and complement
What are HLA A9 and B15 associated with?
These are MHC class I molecules associated with aggressive periodontitis
describe the structure of MHC class I molecules
- membrane proteins containing a peptide-binding cleft at the amino terminal
- 8-11 AA peptide can be accommodated
- alpha chain associated with b2-microglobulin with a groove accommodating 8-11 AA: variability in a1 and a2, a3 is invariant
Structure of MHC class II molecules
- membrane proteins containing a peptide-binding cleft at the amino terminal
- 10-20 AA peptide
- a and b chain with a groove accommodating 10-30 AA, variability in a1 and b1, a2 and b2 invariant
Describe the MHC I and T cell receptor interaction
- CD8 cells only recognize peptides presented by MHC class I
- a3 binds CD8 on CD8 cells
- peptide binds floor of the cleft while TCR binds side and top of cleft
Describe the MHC II and T cell receptor interaction
- CD4 T cells only recognize peptides presented by MHC class II
- b2 binds CD4 on CD4 T cells
- peptide binds floor of the cleft while TCR binds side and top of cleft
MHC haplotype
The set of MHC alleles on each chromosome inherited from both parents
- 6 different class I
- 6-8 different class II
MHC polymorphism ensures…
that a population can deal with microbe diversity (many different alleles present in the population; different individuals are able to respond to different microbial peptides)
Which cells express Class II MHC?
Dendritic cells, macrophages, B cells (APCs) and induced by IFNgama. Thus CD4+ helper T lymphocytes will interact with these APCs.
Which cells express Class I MHC?
Expressed on all nucleated cells. Thus CD8+ CTLs can kill any type of virus-infected cell
describe the binding structure of peptides to MHC molecules
Anchor residues in the peptide anchor the peptide to the groove of MHC molecules. Other residues are recognized by TCR