Humoral Immunity

Question 1

Describe the functions of humoral immune response.

Answer 1

neutralization - binding decrease the infectivity and potential effects of infection but preventing microbe’s ability to bind

opsonization - increase phagocytosis by macrophages

complement fixation - directs C’ activation to lyse micro cell walls (IgG and IgM)

waste management - aids in clearance of immune complexes via interaction with CR1 on RBC which hand IC off to macrophages

antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity - directs cytotoxic cells like CD8+ and NK cells

Question 2

humoral immunity

Answer 2

branch of adaptive immunity mediated by antibodies produced by B cells (plasma cells). this is the principle defense against extracellular pathogens

Question 3

hyper-IgM immunodeficiency

Answer 3

genetic defect affecting the ability to signal via CD40 to B cells. This leads to an inability to induce class switching of B cells and memory

• patients are prone to bacterial and opportunistic infections.
• neutropenia, failure to thrive, thrombocytopenia, and anemia are common

Question 4

Cryoglobulinemia

Answer 4

immune complex disease
- chronic infections can lead to this disease through persistent immune response to antigens and formation of increased amount of immune complexes

Question 5

rheumatoid factor

Answer 5

IgM produced against the self IgG w/in the immune complex - indication of the development of an autoimmune disease

Question 6

polyclonal B cell response

Answer 6

activation of many B cells to one pathogen because each B cell sees a different epitope

• results in huge release of antibodies all toward the same pathogen and aids in clearing antigen quickly
• can also lead to chronic disease and autoimmunity.