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immunology > antigens and immunogens > Flashcards

antigens and immunogens Flashcards

1
Q

what is an immunogen?

A

used to define an antigen that is recognized by the immune system via binding and stimulates an immune response.

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2
Q

true or false: all antigens are immunogenic

A

false

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3
Q

define antigen

A

any substance that can bind to components of the immune system (antibodies, cells)

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4
Q

define immunogen

A

any substance that can induce an acquired/adaptive immune response (B or T cell response)

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5
Q

what is an example of an antigen that lacks immunogenicity?

A

hapten

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6
Q

how can hapten be visible to the immune system and induce an immune response?

A

by binding to a macromolecule like protein and function as a carrier protein

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7
Q

what is an example of a natural hapten?

A

urushiol in poison ivy

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8
Q

what is a monovalent monodeterminant compund?

A

antigen with one epitope

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9
Q

what is a polyvalent monodeterminant?

A

antigen with one epitope expressed multiple times

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10
Q

what is a monovalent polydeterminant?

A

antigen contains multiple epitopes that appear to be presented just once

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11
Q

what is a polyvalent multideterminant?

A

antigen is large and expressed different epitopes multiple times

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12
Q

what are the 5 characteristics of a strong antigen?

A
  1. foreign
  2. high molecular weight
  3. physicochemically complex
  4. stable
  5. degradable
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13
Q

what is autoimmunity?

A

rare circumstances in which select self-antigens can be immunogenic

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14
Q

what is an example of a physiochemically complex antigen?

A

insulin

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15
Q

why should a strong antigen be physiochemically complex?

A

the more structurally complex the antigen the more potential diverse antigenic binding sites there are to be recognized by the immune system

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16
Q

why did pharmaceutical companies switch from porcine insulin to recombinant insulin?

A

even though it was conserved across many species lowering its immunogenicity, the prolonged use can become immunogenic

17
Q

why should a strong antigen be stable?

A

long enough for antigen processing by the phagocytic cells, if too flexible, it makes recognition and binding difficult

18
Q

what is an example of a poor antigen?

A

flagellin

19
Q

why are antigens that degrade rapidly not good antigens?

A

, because they can’t be processed efficiently by APCs for presentation to T cells and B cells. However, if the antigen enzymatically degrades poorly or doesn’t degrade at all, the immune system can’t recognize it.

20
Q

when is the use of materials that are non-immunogenic highly desired?

A

use of inert metals in joint replacement or bone reconstruction

21
Q

what are the 4 major classes of antigen?

A
  1. carbohydrates (polysaccharides)
  2. lipids
  3. nucleic acids
  4. proteins
22
Q

when do carbs display immunogenic properties?

A

when bound to proteins to form glycoproteins

23
Q

what are examples of carbs as antigens?

A

when on the surface of RBCs delineating ABO blood types

antibodies

24
Q

what do lipids display immunogennicity?

A

when conjugated to proteins

25
Q

what are glycolipids associated with?

A

cellular membranes

26
Q

true or false: DNA in its helical form is usually non-immunogenic in individuals with healthy immune systems

A

true

27
Q

what is a rare case in which individuals with hyperactive immune systems to self-antigen develop an immune response to DNA?

A

systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

28
Q

which class of antigen is the most immunogenic and why?

A

proteins because of their large size and complexity are the most immunogenic. As a result, they typically display multiple epitopes allowing for a robust immune response

29
Q

T cells have a T cell receptor (TCR) on its surface that only recognize a specific processed antigen in the form of a linear _______ presented through a specific surface protein (MHC) on APCs

A

peptide

30
Q

B cells have a B cell receptor (BCR) that recognizes a specific ________

A

epitope

31
Q

what is the difference between BCR and TCR?

A

BCRs are structurally much more different and as a result has more diverse properties

32
Q

the BCR is an antibody that is semi-attached to the B cell surface, such that when the B cell is activated via its BCR receptor complex, it allows the BCR to _____ and become a functional secretory antibody

A

detach

33
Q

true or false: TCRs can normally recognize and bind to free epitopes on proteins, polysaccharides, lipids that are bound to surfaces of cells, microbes or secretory products

A

false: BCRs

34
Q

what is a similarity between TCR and BCR antigen recognition?

A

both receptors only recognize one specific epitope

35
Q

define cross-reactivity

A

cells with their receptors encounter an epitope with structural properties similar to the original epitope, they could potentially bind to it

immunology (18 decks)

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