Definitions and The Major Histocompatibility Complex. Flashcards
What is an antigen presenting cell?
Cells that present antigens to MHC-2 molecules.
What is an MHC-1?
The MHC complex found on all nucleated cells.
What antigens are presented by an MHC-1 molecule?
It presents endogenous antigens to cytotoxic T cells.
What is an MHC-2?
The MHC complex that is found on APCs.
What antigens are presented by an MHC-2 molecule?
It presents antigens to helper T cells.
What is a naive T cell?
A T cell that has never seen an antibody before.
What cell can stimulate a naive T cell?
Dendritic cells.
When will T cells recognise an antigen?
They can only recognise an antigen when it is bound to an MHC molecule.
What animals is have MHC proteins on their cells?
All vertebrates.
What are MHC molecules capable of binding to?
Linear amino acid peptides of around 8-20 amino acids.
Can MHC molecules bind to conformational peptides?
No, only to linear peptides..
MHC-1 molecules are present on what cells?
On the surfaces of all nucleated cells.
What is the function of MHC-1 molecules?
To present cytoplasmic (endogenous) antigens to cytotoxic T cells (CD-8+).
What 3 pathogens do MHC-1 molecules help to deal with?
Virally infected cells.
Cancerous cells.
Cells that have been infected by intracellular bacteria.
What cells are MHC-2 molecules found on?
On antigen presenting cells.
