Chapter 4 Flashcards
All non-self antigens are immunogens. True or false?
False. For example, some people are allergic to penicillin, while some are not.
What is an antigen versus immunogen?
Antigen = any agent capable of binding to immune components, such as B and T cells. May or may not elicit immune response
Immunogen = any agent capable of inducing immune response. All are antigens
Are haptens immunogens and/or antigens?
Haptens are antigens, but not immunogens by themselves unless bound to carrier protein
What are the 2 functional properties of antigens?
- Immunogenicity
- Reactivity: can react with immune cells
Which molecular weight (MW) compounds are immunogenic? Which MW compounds are not?
Greater than 6000 Daltons = immunogenic
Less than 1000 Daltons = NOT immunogenic
Give examples of haptens
Penicillin, aspirin, dander, progesterone, cosmetics
Give examples of complete antigens (greater than 6000 Daltons)
albumin and tetanus toxoid
Which is more immunogenic? A homopolymer of 50 kDa or copolymer of 40 kDa? Why?
Copolymer of 40 kDa is more immunogenic because it has more complexity than the homopolymer.
Is the homopolymer of glutamic acid of Bacillus anthracis immunogenic?
No, because it is not very complex and also resembles host components
Why are D-isomers not immunogenic?
Because the body only recognizes L-isomers. So, D-isomers can sneak away unnoticed and do not get degraded by enzymes
Which cell type degrades antigen? How?
APCs process the antigen and present them on silver platter for helper T cells
What two aspects comprise a likely non-immunogenic substance?
- Chemically simple
- low MW
What factor determines what we’ll be allergic to?
Mostly genes, some environmental factors
____% of drug allergies that result in death are due to _______
97%
Penicillin
Factors that contribute to immunogenicity? Describe in detail
- Dosage (number of minimum doses needed to elicit immune response)
- Route of administration of antigens (IV injection goes to spleen, subcutaneous injection goes to local lymph nodes and Langerhans (tissue resident macrophages in epidermis, oral is GI route that leads to intestinal response, intranasal route can elicit allergic reactions)
What is the difference between naive and effector B and T cells?
Naive B and T cells are mature and immunocompetent, but have NOT yet encountered antigen
Effector B and T cells are mature, immunocompetent, and have encountered antigen
Do B cells activate naive T cells? What is their role?
No, B cells do NOT activate naive T cells. They present antigen to helper T cells to assist own (B cell) activation
How is a B cell activated?
A B cell activates when antigens bind to its BCR and cross-link the B cells either in a chain or lattice
What happens to cross-linked Ag-receptor complexes?
They undergo receptor-mediated endocytosis. This incites clonal selection, then proliferation and differentiation into effector cells
What does it mean to be a “sensitized” person?
It means that mast cells have cross-linked to allergens