B cells, Antibodies, Cryoglobulinaemias, Rituximab Flashcards
Where do B cells (B lymphocytes) develop and mature?
Bone marrow
B lymphocytes: origin of name
Original discovery: Bursa of Fabricus in birds
But fallacious etymology is often taught in medical schools
Can B cells act as APCs (Antigen Presenting Cells)?
During maturation phases, B cells are important APCs (Antigen-presenting cells)
When do they begin to express immuniglobulin?
After maturation
What is plasma cell?
The terminally differentiated B cell, which is able to secrete immunoglobulin (antibody)
What is class switching?
“Changing the base of the heavy chain to another”
Thus they can vary isotype
What is “Affinity maturation”?
Affinity maturation refers to the process of >>>
- Progressive development of immunoglobulin with higher affinity to the antigen
- Site: germinal centres of lymphoid organs
- Time: during the evolution of the humoral response
- Target: accomplished by hypermutation of the variable region genes.
What is antibodies (or immunoglobulins)?
Large glycoproteins (glucose + proteins) >>> that can identify and neutralise pathogens
Structure of antibody
Two basic structural units:
- A pair of large heavy chains
- A pair of small light chains
At the tip of the antibody structure: hypervariable region (within the variable region)
What is the function of hypervariable region?
To determine which type of unique antigen antibody will bind to
Isotypes of antibodies (immunoglobulins) are based upon what?
The heavy chains that they possess
What are the isotypes of antibody?
- IgG
- igA
- IgM
- IgE
- IgD
Remember, GAMED
Structure of different types of antibodies
- IgG: Monomeric
- IgA: Dimeric or monomeric
- IgM: Pentameric
- IgE: Monomeric
- IgD: Monomeric
Percentage or proportion of immunoglobulins
- IgG: 75%
- IgA: 15%
- IgM: 10%
- IgD: 1%
- IgE: 0.1% (0.002% of Abs)
Half-life of different types of immunoglobulins
- IgG: 7-23days (depends on sub-class)
- IgA: 5days (approx/aver.)
- IgM: 5days (about)
- IgE: 2days
- IgD: 2.8days
Concentrations of different types of immunoglobulins
- IgG: 5-15g/L
- IgA: 0.5-3.5g/L
- IgM: 0.5-4g/L
- IgE: <250ng/L
- IgD: higher than IgE, but less than IgG, IgA, IgM
Number of epitope binding sites in different types of immunoglobulin
- IgG: 2 epitope binding sites (As monomer)
- IgA: 4 epitope binding sites (As dimer)
- IgM: 10 epitope binding sites (As pentamer)
- IgE: 2 epitope binding sites (As monomer)
- IgD: 2 epitope binding sites (As monomer)
Antibodies: daily production
- Production of antibody: 3gm/day
- 2-3rd of them is IgA (but IgG is most of the serum antibodies)
Which is the most abundant Ig (Immunoglobulin) or antibody?
IgG (>75%)
Which antibody is responsible for most antibody based responses to infection?
IgG
In IgG >> G means?
Gamma-globulin
IgG: subclasses
Four sub-classes:
- IgG1
- IgG2
- IgG3
- IgG4
IgG: Functions
By Fc portion of IgG: (functions of Fc portion of IgG)
- Activates classical complement pathway
- Binds to macrophage & neutrophils >>> enhanced phagocytosis of bacteria and viruses
- Binds to NK cells >>> ADCC (Antibody dependant cytotoxicity)
IgG: Clinical significance
- Only IgG can cross placenta and enter foetal circulation
- IgG deficiency predisposes to recurrent bacterial infection
- It appears lately in response to infection (initial exposure) (But appears sooner in case of repeat exposure)
Antibodies that cross placenta
Only IgG
Consequence of IgG deficiency
Recurrent bacterial infection
IgG2 deficiency results in-?
- Haemophilus influenzae (recurrent infections)
- Streptococcus pneumoniae (even pneumovax do NOT protect)
- Recurrent bacterial infections
(Recurrent respiratory tract infections > sinusitis, rhinitis, cold etc. by encapsulated bacteria: haemophilus influenzae, streptococcus pneumoniae >>> think first >>> IgA deficiency)
Antibodies that activate complement pathway
- IgG, IgM activate classical complement pathway
- IgA can activate alternative complement pathway (IgA >> Alternative)
But if only asked which Ab to activate complement pathway >> prefer ‘IgG, IgM’
by their Fc portions
Most effecieint is IgM
Which immunoglobulin does activate complement pathway most efficiently?
IgM
What is first antibody isotype to respond to a new infection?
(1st antibody to produce during an immune response)
IgM
IgM: Clinical significance
- Useful in serodiagnosis: IgM confirms recent infection
- First to be secreted
- Anti-A, Anti-B blood antibodies
- Antibody in acute blood transfusion reaction (ABO or Rh incompatibility)
Anti-A, Anti-B antibodies: type of immunoglobulin
IgM
Blood transfusion reactions: antibodies
- Mismatched blood transfusion reaction >>> IgM
- Anaphylactic transfusion reaction >>> IgA
Monomeric form of IgM: Site and functions
- Site: Surface of B lymphocytes
- Function: Acts as B cell receptor or sIg
Antibody that binds allergen
IgE
Antibody that triggers mast cell degranulation
IgE
Antibody that provides defence against parasite infection
IgE