Generation of Diversity in the T-Cell Repertoire Flashcards
What is an antigen?
A combination of ‘antibody’ and ‘generate’. Any molecule that can bind specifically to an antibody
usually refers to proteins, carbohydrates and lipids capable of binding to B-cell receptors, T-cell receptors and/or innate immune receptors
What is an epitope?
The part of an antigen molecule to which an antibody attaches itself
One antigen can have multiple epitopes
How do B cells produce monoclonal antibodies?
B cells recognise intact antigens (proteins / microbes) that havent been processed and go on to proliferate and produce → monoclonal antibodies ; produce antibody clones of the mother B cell
Why do T cells not produce a response to unprocessed antigens?
T cells don’t recognise unprocessed antigens ∴ there’s no proliferation or cytokine release
(same response with incorrect signalling)
What requirement must be met for T cell antigen recognition?
Antigens must be processed in order to be recognised by T cells
T cell requires APC interaction to produce a response
How are antigens processed for TCR?
An antigen will generate multiple peptides which are presented on APCs with MHC molecules via catabolism
How are antigens prepared for exogenous antigen processing?
Uptake mechanisms direct antigens into intracellular vesicles for exogenous antigen processing
What are the exogenous antigen processing mechanisms?
Phagocytosis
- Fc Receptor mediated
- Complement receptor mediated
- Pinocytosis
Membrane Ig receptor mediated uptake
What are professional APCs?
“Professional” Antigen-Presenting Cells (APCs): Immune cells that express high levels of surface MHC Class II and can efficiently induce T-cell responses
What are the 2 types of APCs?
Myeloid cells: monocytes & macrophages
Dendritic cells (most advanced APCs)
Where are monocytes located?
Monocytes are blood circulating cells
Where do macrophages reside?
Macrophages are found in mucosal tissues and are ∴ terminally differentiated monocytes
Rare in peripheral blood - enriched in mucosal tissues
Compare and contrast the functions of Dendritic cells and macrophages
Macrophages better-equipped to kill pathogens (higher NO production)
DCs better at migrating to lymph nodes (via CCR7) and presenting antigen to T Cells
Specialised but ultimately overlapping functions
Where are B cells found?
Highly abundant in blood and mucosal tissues
How do B cells process antigens?
Receptor-mediated internalisation of antigens, as opposed to phagocytosis
What is the primary function of B cells?
Primary function to make antibody (plasma cell) – but still very good at antigen presentation
How do B cells process antigens?
Contains membrane antibody on surface that can capture antigens and present it to other B cells or T cells
Outline how endogenous antigen processing occurs
Uptake: Antigens/pathogens already present in cell
Degradation: Antigens synthesised in the cytoplasm undergo limited proteolytic degradation in the cytoplasm
Antigen-MHC Complex Formation: Loading of peptide antigens on MHC class I molecules is different to the loading of MHC class II molecules
Presentation: Transport and expression of antigen-MHC complexes on the surface of cells for recognition by T cell
Why are macrophages so sufficient at exogenous antigen processing?
Macrophages have well developed lysosomal systems
Specialised for motility, phagocytosis and the introduction of particles to the lysosomal system
Most cell types do not have lysosomal systems developed as well as macrophages
Why is exogenous antigen processing not enough to combat viruses?
Viruses can infect cytosol of most cell types
A non-lysosomal mechanism to process antigens for presentation to T cells is required
What is the role of the proteasome in antigen processing?
Peptide antigens produced in the cytoplasm are physically separated from newly formed MHC class I by the proteasome
What is the role of ER in antigen processing?
Peptides need access to the ER in order to be loaded onto MHC Class I molecules