B Lymphocyte Activation Flashcards
list and describe the 2 types of B cell responses
- T dependent: requires helper T cells and is the majority of B cell responses
- T independent: does not require helper T cells
what are two disadvantages of T independent B cell responses?
- not as strong or as specific response
2. does not yield memory cells
as B cells activate through the body, what must happen in order for them to continue to survive? when does this happen?
B cells must receive signals through BAFF receptors to stay alive; BAFF is encountered when B cells enter secondary lymphoid tissues
what must first happen before B cells can recognize an antigen and begin activation? where does this occur?
in the secondary lymphoid tissues, B cells encounter antigen in follicles, where the BCR binds the antigen
when BCR antigen recognition occurs, is this T dependent or T independent activation?
T dependent
describe T independent activation of B cells (3)
- antigen binds to PRR on B cell
- antigen cross-links with BCR
- this stimulates proliferation of B cell
describe BCR antigen recognition (which is the first step of T dependent B cell activation)
- free antigen binds to BCR
- complement bound to antigen allow for BCR to recognize antigen; occurs as complement protein binds to complement receptor and BCR cross-links to bind to antigen-bound compliment protein
- antigen can bind to subcapsular sinus macrophages (SCSM) or follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) and the BCR will bind to the antigen on these cells
what happens once BCR binds to antigen? (the second step of T dependent B cell activation)
the cell membrane spreads out and then contracts back, leaving microclusters of BCRs along the cell membrane to increase contact with antigen (rearrange location of BCRs on cell membrane)
what happens after BCR microcluster formation? (the third step of T dependent B cell activation)
the BCR and the antigen will be internalized into the B cell
describe internalization of BCR and antigen in the third step if it is free antigen?
happens readily
describe internalization of BCR and antigen in the thir step if antigen is bound to SCSM of FDCs
actin on B cell membrane must polymerize and push against menbrane of SCSM or FDC to pull antigen off the cell
what happens after internalization of BCR and antigen? (fourth step of T dependent B cell activation)
antigen is processed and presented on MHC II of B cell
what happens after antigen is present on MHC II of B cell? (fifth step of T dependent B cell activation)
once antigen is presented on MHC II, the B cell is directed to the T cell zone of the lymph node or splees
what is the T cell zone?
the site of activation in the lymph node or spleen
oncce in the T cell zone, what 3 signals do helper T cells provide for B cell activation (sixth step of T dependent B cell activation)
- TCR binds antigen/MHC II on B cell and CD4 binds MHCII
- CD40L on T cell binds CD40 on B cell
- cytokines are secreted by T helper cells (IL-4 and IL-21)
look familiar?