Antigen Recognition & Lymphocyte Development Flashcards
What are lymphocyte receptors?
Protein receptors displayed on the cell surface
What must happen for a lymphocyte receptor to work?
Receptor must:
1) bind to a ligand (main receptor)
2) signal transduction (accessory proteins)
What is the lymphocyte receptor complex?
Together:
1) the main receptor (which binds the ligand)
2) accessory proteins (take care of signal transduction)
What is the end result of receptor engagement (of the receptor complex)?
Activation: altered gene transcription/activation/effector function
What does BCR recognize? TCR?
BCR: recognizes 3D structures; macromolecules in their native conformation/as they exist in nature
TCR: recognizes only linear peptides that are complexed with MHC (8-30 aa in length)
What does it mean to say that T cells are MHC restricted?
They can only activate when they bind to an antigen presented by MHC, need BOTH
If no MHC, no activation of T cells
B cells are NOT MHC restricted
Name and describe the two receptor domains
1) variable domain: responsible for binding to antigen. This domain varies from one receptor to another, furthest from cell membrane
2) constant domain: structural, responsible for effector functions, same from one receptor to another, closest to cell membrane
Expression of co-receptors of TCR and BCR dictates what?
Dictates the developmental stage the cell is in
List TCR co-receptors
CD3
CD4
CD8
List BCR co-receptors
Iga Igb CD19 CD21 CD81
Describe the structure of the TCR
2 membrane bound chains:
1 alpha
1 beta
Each has a variable and a constant domain
Note: n terminus is at top and is portion that actually contacts antigen= hyper variable chains or complementary determining regions and this is what determines antigen binding in T cell receptor (short portions of variable loops in variable chains)
What part of TCR actually contacts antigen and what is it called? What does this region determine?
N terminus = hyper variable region= complementary determining regions
Determines antigen binding in T cell receptors
Small portions of aa’s of the variable loops (found on the loops at the tips of the variable region)
Overall B cell maturation process? Difference of T cell?
1) common progenitor in bone marrow– commits to b or t
2) B stays in bone marrow
3) matures in bone marrow
4) mature naive B cell leaves primary lymph and cycles between secondary lymph and blood, looking for antigen
5) majority never find their antigen– die and recycle
T cell: matures in thymus once committed to T, then same fate as B cell
How many complementary determining regions are there that interact with antigen? (same for antibodies)
3 CDRs in each Va and VB domains= 6 total. All six must match with the MHC 6
What is the most important interaction in immunology?
TCR MHC + antigen b/c as T cell goes, so goes while adaptive response
What must happen for T cell to activate?
Recognize both MHC and antigen. If not nothing happens and it moves on to next receptor
What must happen to start signal transduction in a T cell? (What is included in the TCR CD3 complex?
TCR CD3 complex includes: a and B chains of main TCR (CD8 or CD4) complexed with signaling proteins, which are collectively called CD3. Together with the zeta chains, CD3 and zeta chains initiate signal transduction.
If bind the right combo of MHC and antigen, have signal transduction
B cell receptor structure?
Y shape, 2 membrane bound arms, 4 chains
2 heavy (identical to eAch other), men bound 2 light (identical to each other), not men bound, stuck to heavy by S-S bonds
Tips= FAB regions (fragment antigen binding), can cleave into subunits, bind antigens (antigen binding fragments), each made of entire light chain (variable) and heavy variable domain
Base of y= Fc region (crystallize in sol) set effector functions, only heavy chain constant, set effector function of secreted antibodies
How many classes of antibodies are there?
5
Each FAB region has 6 CDRs
Each antibody can bind two of same antigen
What is the hinge region of BCR?
Region that can pivot, flex, flatten in order to bind two of the same antigen at same time
BCR light or heavy chain variable?
Both heavy and light have variable regions
What is included in the BCR complex?
Membrane bound antibody associated with signaling molecules: Iga and IgB
CD81, CD21, CD19= signal transduction
Explain the functional domains of an antibody? (Same as BCR)
2 functional domains:
1) FAB fragment (antibody binding fragment): light chain and heavy chain variable regions, and first constant region=tip of Y
2) Fc fragment (crystalline fragment): heavy chain constant= base of Y, determines antibody class and effector functions
BCR vs TCR effector functions?
TCR does NOT have effector functions b/c never secreted
BCR receptor functions determined by constant regions of secreted Ig, heavy chains class switch and change from membrane to secretory