B Cells And Humoral Immunity Flashcards
Progenitor B cell characteristics (Pro-B cells)
- expresses CD19 but has not yet recombined to for BCRs and membrane bound antibodies
no membrane bound antibody expressed
DJ rearrangements on both chromosomes in the H-chain occurs (Early pro)
V-DJ rearrangement on first chromosome for the H-Chain occurs (late pro)
Precursor B cell
Pre-B cell
Express CD19 and has undergone some recombination to express heavy chains and surrogate light chains
- light chains are primarily rearranged in this stage. If the chains do not recombinant, under goes apoptosis
Express no BCRs or membrane bound antibodies
Immature B cells
B cells that have fully undergone recombination of chains and express membrane bound IgM only (no IgD)
Expresses both heavy and light chain recombinant and
Mature expresses IgD and IgM
- no more recombination at this stage*
Bruton X-linked recessive agammagloulinemia
Dysfunctional/ absence of Gamma chain production which results in no antibody production
There is also a mutation in Burton’s tyrosine kinase which is essential for BCR signaling
Clinical symptoms:
- no visible tonsils
- recurrent and unusual infections typically in early childhood
- very low or absent antibody levels
Treated via weekly IV purified immunoglobulin
Membrane bound vs secreted antibodies
Differ in processing of the RNA that produces an anchor for the membrane bound and no anchor for the free antibodies
Recombinantion of BCR and antibody chains
recombination of VDJs is mediated by a complex that includes RAG (recombination activating gene)
light chains = VJ segments only
Heavy chains = VJD segments
heavy chains determine the isotope of the antibody/receptor
What is unique to B cells as it pertains to rearrangement
Can be “rescued” and not immediately destroyed like T cell receptors.
- occurs in strongly reactive B cells as well and instead of undergoing apoptosis immediately, its receptors are edited
- requires RAG expression to do so and rearranges ONLY the light chains*
Self reactive B cells
Results in clonal deletion via negative selection
Occurs in bone marrow for B cells and thymus for T cells
Either apoptosis, receptor editing or anergy occurs
Anergy
B cells that present with a weaker reaction to self antigens become anergy (unresponsive)
- this usually means the B-cell recognizes soluble, free floating self-antigens, but not membrane bound antigens.
- caused by reduced expression of IgM compared to mature B cells which results in unable to respond to subsequent antigen encounters
- unknown as to why they stick around and dont die*
Clonal ignorance
B-cells that are self-reactive but do not respond during development become clonal ignorant
- often caused by not presenting with non-self antigens during development. Results in activation only in high concentrations of pathogenic antigens
- neither anergy, receptor edited or apoptosis*
Immature -> mature B cells
B cells start in center of bone marrow and express only IgM.
- if they do not react with self antigens, they migrate to the periphery and express both IgD and IgM
Require CD19 and CD20 as well as NO CD 21 gene express
Positive selection of B cells
B cells that dont enter the follicles of the spleen will die (usually within 3 days)
Survival signal is express of CD21
Memory and mature B cells are selectively favored to enter the follicles of the spleen in order to activate/ proliferate
Marginal zone B cells
Enter the follicles of the spleen and reside in the germinal centers
- once in the spleen, they do not leave
Role is to respond to conserved antigens on most bacteria to initiate an immune response quickly
Actions of mature B cells
Antibody secretion
Isotope switching based on cytokines in the area
Affinity maturation
Turn into a memory B cells
B cell activation
Secreted antibodies with IgM being the first (standard) type secreted.
- cytokines present nearby can change the type of antibody secreted
Come from WBCs/ T cells and inflammation cells
Signals required for B cell activation
First signal: antigen to BCRs (at least 2)
Second signal: helper T cell CD40:CD40L signaling