Brainscape Spring Semester - Immunology Exam 2 Flashcards
Where does T-cell activation occur?
In the secondary lymph tissues
What does a naive T-cell turn into after encountering an antigen?
Naive T-cells activate to become effector T cells (cytotoxic or helper)
What does T-cell activation lead to?
1) Interaction with B-cells 2) Cytokine production that causes: altered phagocyte, B cell and T cell activity
What is the function of dendritic cells?
They bring antigens from the site of infection to the secondary lymph tissue. They enter the draining lymph node and settle in the T-cell areas.
Do DC’s present antigens on MHC class I , class II or both?
Both. DCs use MHC class II to present to CD4 Tcells and MHC class I to present to CD8 Tcells
Are cytoplasmic antigens recognized by MHC class I, class II, or both?
MHC Class I present cytoplasmic antigens (viruses) to CD8+ T-cells
In lymph nodes, where can DC’s be found? Where are macrophages found?
DC’s are confined to the cortex, macrophages are in both the cortex and the medulla
How do T cells monitor antigens presented by the macrophages and dendritic cells?
They crawl over the antigen presenting cells to check for the antigen they are specific to.
What happens if a T cell does not encounter their specific antigen in the lymph node?
They will leave the node through the efferent lymph
What happens when a T cell encounters their specific antigen in a lymph node?
The T cells that encounter the specific antigen will bind and lock the antigen and begin to proliferate and differentiate into effector cells
How does the path of lymphocytes in a lymph node differ from the path of DC’s?
Lymphocytes will exit through the efferent lymph, but DC’s will stay behind.
Describe the structure of a mature TCR.
Made of one alpha and one beta chain. The TCR then associates with CD3 and zeta chain.
How does a TCR transmit signals to the nucleus?
The cytoplasmic tail of the TCR has no signaling capabilities. The signaling comes from the CD3 and zeta cytoplasmic ITAM regions
Describe the T Cell-HEV interaction.
T cells roll along the endothelium of the HEV. Loose contacts are made between the T cell and the HEV endothelium by GlyCAM-1 of HEV and L-selectin of naive T-cell.
How does a chemokine signal change the T Cell-HEV interaction?
The chemokine signal leads to a conformational change of integrin LFA-1 causing LFA-1 to bind tightly to ICAM-1. The lymphocyte rolling is stopped, and it is able to enter the lymph node via diapedesis.
Which T cell surface receptors are involved with the interaction with DCs?
The same as those involved in leaving the blood stream: Selectins, Ig-type receptors, CCRs
What are the two signals required to generate T-cell expansion?
1) TCR/CD4 complex signals stability 2)CD28 co-stimulator binds B7 of the DC, releases second messenger
What happens in the absence of B7?
The cell can no longer respond to infection (“Anergic”)
Are costimulatory molecules constantly expressed?
No. They are only expressed during infection.
What triggers the expression of MHC class II and B7?
Phagocytosis and breakdown of bacteria by macrophages. The co-stimulatory signal is delivered to the T-cells that recognize the bacterial peptide antigen.
What are the three types of professional antigen presenting cells in secondary lymph tissues?
DCs (in cortex), Macrophages (cortex and medulla), and B cells (lymphoid follicles)
What is an immunological synapse?
The point of contact between T-cell and DC
Describe the molecules involved with the immunological synapse in a resting T-cell.
The ITAMs (on CD3 and zeta) are not phosphorylated when the MHC-peptide is not connected to the TCR.
What happens to the ITAMs when a MHC ligand binds the TCR?
They are phosphorylated by receptor associated kinases
When does ZAP-70 become activated?
When the co-receptor binds to the MHC ligand it is able to bind to the phosphorylated zeta chain ITAMs and is phosphorylated and activated by Lck
What are the 2 major regions of the immunological synapse?
The c-SMAC (supramolecular activation complex) is in the center and contains the TCR, coreceptors, costimulatory receptors, and signaling molecules all concentrated. The p-SMAC is the peripheral zone and contains integrin LFA-1, ICAM and talin
Do the high affinity specific interactions occur in the cSMAC or the pSMAC?
They occur in the cSMAC
What are the 3 pathways that ZAP-70 activation causes?
(1) Second messenger inositol triphosphate leads to transcription factor NFAT activation (2) Activate protein kinase c-Ѳ leading to activation of NFkB (2) Activation of Ras cascade that activates Fos, a component of the AP-1 TF
What do NFAT, NFkB and AP-1 all combine to produce?
Cell deivision, proliferation and differentiation to effector T cells
What is the purpose of the cytokine IL-2?
IL-2 controls bursts of cell division and acquisition of effector function. This cytokine is synthesized and secreted by the T-cell itself when both signal 1 and signal 2 are received.
What TF activates IL-2?
NFAT activates IL-2
How do the IL-2 receptors of naive and activated T-cells differ?
The naive T cells have moderate affinity made of beta and gamma subunits. The activated T cells have high affinity IL-2 receptors made of alpha, beta and gamma subunits.
What does the signal of the high affinity IL2 receptor cause?
It causes massive T-cell prolifation (x~1000 in a week)
Can T-cell activation occur without both the co-stimulatory signal and the specific signal?
No. It needs both. With only specific signal (signal 1), the T-cell will become anergic, preventing IL-2 production. With only co-stimulatory signal, there is no effect.
What are the three types of cells that immature effector T cells can differentiate into?
TH1, TH2 and regulatory (Treg) T cells
Compare and contrast TH1 and TH2 cells.
TH1 cell development is stimulated by IL-12 (from macrophages and DCs) and IFN-gamma (from NKs). TH1 are associated with cell mediated immunity and are effective against intracellular parasites. TH2 cell development is stimulated by IL4 and IL5 and causes general activation of B cells. TH2 are associated with humoral immunity and effective against extracellular pathogens.
Which cell type requires a stronger co-stimulatory signal for activation: CD4 or CD8?
CD8 requires stronger signal than CD4 for activation, which can only be delivered by dendritic cells.
What are the three different means of activating CD8 T-cells?
(1) DCs with high B7 expression can activate naive CD8 cells. These cells then produce IL-2 and its receptor driving its own proliferation and differentiation. (2) DC can activate CD4, which can then activate the APC, leading to co-stimulation and activation of the CD8 cell. (3) DC activates CD4, which produces IL-2 that can activate CD8 to express IL-2 receptors.
What are the differences between naive and effector T-cells?
Naive T cells require co-stimulation through CD28, but effector cells are CD28-independent. Naive cells have lower [CD2] and [LFA-1]. The effector cells have no L-selectin, but have VLA-4 instead (no HEV extravasation).
What is the purpose of VLA-4?
VLA-4 is an integrin expressed in effector T cells. It binds to VCAM-1, which is expressed in the endothelium of inflamed tissues.
Describe cytokines.
They are chemicals that alter local behavior. They are short lived and can function via autocrine or paracrine signals. Many cytokines made by T cells are part of the interleukin family (IL).
What is a cytotoxin?
A chemical that kills infected cells. They are specialized products of cytotoxic CD8 cells.
What is CD40L?
CD40L is a membrane bound cytokine on the T cell surface. Macrophages and B cells have the CD40, which binds to CD40L (ligand). TH1 CD4 cells can induce macrophage activation this way leading to more proficient and deadly macrophages.
How do the intracellular interactions differ if the cell is presenting a viral antigen or not?
Cell not presenting the viral antigen throuh the MHC class I are not destroyed. Cells presenting the Ag interact tightly with CD8 T cell through the TCR. The cytoskeloton is rearranged following Ag presentation through TCR. Lytic granules are released at the site of cell contact.
How do cytotoxic T cells initiate apoptosis of target cells?
The CTL recognizes the virus-infection cell and programs the target cell to die. It uses granules and FasL to initiate apoptosis in the target cells.
Can TH1 cells activate macrophages on their own?
Yes. They can provide both required activation signals (CD40L and IFN-gamma) to the macrophage.
What function do activated macrophages serve?
They kill intravesicular bacteria and microorganisms