F. Immunology (2) Flashcards
B-cell functioning:
Naive B cells, with their unique BCRs, circulate in the peripheral blood and lymph nodes.
How does this process work? (3)
B-cell functioning:
● Activation of the B cell occurs when an effector T follicular helper (TFH) cell, which carries a T cell receptor (TCR) that recognizes the peptide-MHCII complex, binds to the B cell.
How does this process work? (3)
B-cell functioning:
● Activation of the B cell occurs when an effector T follicular helper (TFH) cell, which carries a T cell receptor (TCR) that recognizes the peptide-MHCII complex, binds to the B cell.
How does this process work? (3)
How is the diversity of the BCR repertoire achieved?
● The diversity of the BCR repertoire is achieved through various mechanisms, including combinatorial diversity (VDJ and VJ gene segments), junctional diversity (nucleotide addition between gene segments), combination of heavy and light chain proteins, and somatic hypermutation.
What is somatic hypermutation?
● Somatic hypermutation occurs when an enzyme activated by the effector TFH cell introduces point mutations in the variable region of the BCR gene. If the BCR produced has an increased affinity for the pathogen, the B cell continues to proliferate. If the affinity decreases, the B cell undergoes apoptosis.
What is the paratope?
● The antigen binding site, also known as the paratope, is a specific region on an antibody molecule that is responsible for binding to antigens. It is located at the tips of the variable regions of both the heavy and light chains.
● The heavy chain of an antibody molecule consists of both a constant region and a _____ region.
variable
What does the heavy chain determine?
● The heavy chain constant region determines the antibody’s isotype or class (e.g., IgG, IgM, IgA), while the heavy chain variable region is responsible for antigen binding and contains the antigen binding site.
● Similarly, the light chain of an antibody molecule also consists of a constant region and a variable region.
The light chain can be either a ____ (κ) chain or a ______ (λ) chain.
The light chain variable region, like the heavy chain variable region, is involved in antigen
_______.
kappa
lambda
binding
● Similarly, the light chain of an antibody molecule also consists of a constant region and a variable region.
The light chain can be either a ____ (κ) chain or a ______ (λ) chain.
The light chain variable region, like the heavy chain variable region, is involved in antigen
_______.
kappa
lambda
binding
● The overall structure of an antibody molecule consists of ____ heavy chains and ___ light
chains, forming a Y-shaped structure.
The antigen binding sites are located at the tips of the Y, where the variable regions of the
heavy and light chains come together to form a _____ _______.
two
two
binding pocket
● When an antibody molecule is cleaved with the enzyme papain, it results in…
● When an antibody molecule is cleaved with the enzyme papain, it results in the formation of two Fab fragments and one Fc fragment.
What are Fab fragments?
The Fab fragments, also known as fragment antigen binding, contain the variable
regions of both the heavy and light chains and retain the antigen binding site.
What are Fc fragments? (2)
The Fc fragment, or fragment constant, consists of the constant regions of the heavy
chains and is responsible for the antibody’s effector functions.
The Fc region of an antibody molecule can bind to various molecules or cells.
What is the function of the antibodies? (5)
● There are five main classes of antibodies:
- IgM
- IgD
- IgG
- IgA
- IgE
- IgM:
What is the function? (4)
✔ IgM is the first antibody produced during an infection.
✔ It exists as a pentamer, meaning it consists of five antibody molecules joined together.
✔ IgM has a low affinity for antigens because it has not undergone somatic
hypermutation, but it compensates for this with its ten antigen-binding sites, which contribute to high avidity.
✔ IgM can fix complement and act as an opsonin.
- IgD:
What is the function? (3)
✔ The B cell heavy chain gene transcribes both the Cμ (constant region μ) and Cδ (constant region δ) genes.
✔ Through alternative splicing, either IgM or IgD is produced.
✔ IgD is expressed on the surface of B cells along with IgM, but its function is not fully understood. It may play a role in B cell activation and can bind to basophils and mast cells.
- IgG:
What is the function? (3)
✔ IgG is the most abundant antibody in the blood and the most important antibody in
tissues.
✔ It is a monomer and can fix complement. IgG can cross the placenta, providing
passive immunity to the fetus.
✔ The Fc region of IgG is recognized by Fcγ receptors on various immune cells, such as
macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells.
- IgA:
What is the function? (4)
✔ IgA exists as a dimer, meaning it consists of two antibody molecules joined together.
✔ It is primarily involved in mucosal immunity.
✔ IgA acts as a neutralizing antibody on luminal surfaces. It is synthesized by plasma
cells in MALT.
✔ IgA is secreted in breast milk, providing passive immunity to newborns.
- IgE:
What is the function? (4)
✔ IgE is a monomeric antibody that plays a role in allergic reactions and antiparasitic defense.
✔ It binds to Fcε receptors on mast cells and basophils.
✔ Upon second exposure to an antigen, IgE can cross-link on the surface of mast cells,
leading to mast cell degranulation and the release of inflammatory mediators.
✔ IgE is involved in allergies and has a role in defending against parasites.
- IgE:
What is the function? (4)
✔ IgE is a monomeric antibody that plays a role in allergic reactions and antiparasitic defense.
✔ It binds to Fcε receptors on mast cells and basophils.
✔ Upon second exposure to an antigen, IgE can cross-link on the surface of mast cells,
leading to mast cell degranulation and the release of inflammatory mediators.
✔ IgE is involved in allergies and has a role in defending against parasites.
What is monoclonal antibodies? (2)
● Monoclonal antibodies are highly specific antibodies that are derived from a single clone of cells, producing identical copies of a particular antibody molecule.
● Each antibody recognizes a unique part of a target molecule called an epitope. Since each antigen can have multiple epitopes, it can be recognized by different antibodies.
● Monoclonal antibodies can be designed to specifically target and _____ harmful molecules or cells involved in disease processes. They can _______ the immune response, deliver drugs to specific sites, or interfere with molecular pathways, offering potential treatments with high specificity and fewer side effects compared to traditional ______.
block
modulate
drugs
● Monoclonal antibodies can be designed to specifically target and _____ harmful molecules or cells involved in disease processes. They can _______ the immune response, deliver drugs to specific sites, or interfere with molecular pathways, offering potential treatments with high specificity and fewer side effects compared to traditional ______.
block
modulate
drugs
● The production of monoclonal antibodies involves a process known as hybridoma technology.
What is the process? (8)
What happens after the selection of hybridomas?
Several additional steps are involved in the production of monoclonal antibodies: (5)
What happens after the selection of hybridomas?
Several additional steps are involved in the production of monoclonal antibodies: (5)
● The selection of Fab (Fragment antigen-binding) by using bacteriophages and then producing the antibodies in bacteria or cell lines is a method used to generate recombinant immunoglobulins, including monoclonal antibodies, in large quantities efficiently.
What is this process? (9)
Monoclonal antibodies functions: (7)
- Production in large quantities
- Identifying specific antigens
- Molecular biology tool
- Monoclonal antibodies have also found extensive applications in medicine.
- Targeting cell surfaces
- Receptor modulation
- Drug delivery
Monoclonal antibodies functions
1. Production in large quantities:
Monoclonal antibodies can be produced in large quantities as the hybridoma clone used to generate them is immortal. This ensures a consistent and ample supply for experimental purposes.
Monoclonal antibodies functions
2. Identifying specific antigens:
Monoclonal antibodies enable accurate identification of specific antigens, including specific epitopes on antigens. This specificity is crucial in research, diagnostics, and characterization of molecules or cells.
Monoclonal antibodies functions
3. Molecular biology tool:
Monoclonal antibodies have become fundamental tools in molecular biology science. They are employed in techniques such as immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry, enabling the detection and analysis of proteins in various biological samples.
Monoclonal antibodies functions
4. Monoclonal antibodies have also found extensive applications in medicine:
They can be used as therapeutic drugs to target specific antigens and modulate biological processes.
Monoclonal antibodies functions
5. Targeting cell surfaces:
Monoclonal antibodies can bind to antigens on cell surfaces, leading to cell death by activating the immune system or inhibiting specific signaling pathways.
Monoclonal antibodies functions
6. Receptor modulation:
Monoclonal antibodies can activate or inhibit specific receptors to modulate cellular functions. They can enhance immune responses or block the binding of ligands to receptors, interfering with disease processes.
Monoclonal antibodies functions
7. Drug delivery:
Monoclonal antibodies can be utilized. to deliver drugs or radiation specifically to target cells or tissues, minimizing off-target effects and increasing therapeutic efficacy.