Exam 2 Flashcards
somatic hypermutation
how entire V region is diversified after B cell activated by antigen, AID makes point mutations
AID
activation-induced cytidine deaminase: converts cytosine to uracil and only active during B cell proliferation
affinity maturation
when B cells that bind better to antigen are positively selected for
IgM
first isotype made in primary immune response, secreted as a circular pentamer held by J Chain, strongly binds to antigen but limited in effector mechanisms thus need isotype switching
switch regions
flanks the 5’ side of C genes
isotype switching
involves recombination within cluster of C genes that removes a previously expressed C gene and brings a different one into its place
Steps of Isotype Switching
1) initiation of transcription of C region
2) Targeting of AID of cytosines in switch region
3) Uracil is removed (abasic nucleotide)
4) endonuclease removes nucleotide and leaves a nick
5) nicks in both switch regions facilitate recombination
(takes place between u and any other C region or can happen sequentially)
Hyper IgM immunodeficiency
patients lacking AID cannot undergo somatic hypermutation or isotype switching making them susceptible to pyogenic bacteria infection in sinuses, ears, lungs.
Neutralizing antibodies
inactivate pathogen or toxin and prevent interaction with human cells
Opsonizing antibodies
act as opsonins or complement activators - phagocytes have receptors for Fc component of antibody
IgG
more flexible and can wave, rotate, wag, bend to increase chance of binding 2 antigens and effector molecules. Susceptible to proteolytic cleavage so there are subgroups that differ in hinge and heavy chain.
IgG1
most protein antigen
IgE
recruits effector functions of mast cells
IgA
present at mucosal sufaces as dimeric form held together by J Chain. important in protecting mucosal surfaces and in total is most abundant antibody
IgG2
repetitive carbohydrate antigens
IgG3
best at complement activation
IgG4
can exchange heavy-light chain dimer with another IgG4 (can only neutralize) - anti-inflammatory
T Cell Receptors
beta chain like the heavy chain with VDJ and alpha chain like the light chain with VJ
T Cell Receptor Function
only involved in antigen recognition, not effector function, mainly recognizes proteins.
T Cell similarities to immunoglobulins
undergo rearrangement as well as junction diversity
T Cell differences to immunoglobulins
there is only one C(alpha) and two functionally identical C(beta), never soluble
Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease
rare disease where genetic defects result in absence of RAG proteins leading to lack of B and T lymphocytes. Babies die very quickly without immediate bone marrow transplant.
Ommen Syndrome
missense mutation in RAG proteins that lowers activity
Rage Genes and Evolution
Because RAG is essential in T and B development and without them babies die, RAG genes might be important in the evolution of adaptive immune systems. RAG genes don’t have introns and resemble the transposase gene of a transposon (mobile genetic element) which cleaves dsDNA