Immuno Flashcards
Where do B cells mature?
Fetal liver and after birth in the bone marrow.
Bursa in birds.
What cells express CD 4?
T helper cells:
What are the peripheral organs of the immune system and what are the respective functions?
Lymph Nodes - entrap antigen drained from tissues
Spleen - entrap antigens from blood
What is TCR?
T-cell Receptor
on all T-cells. involved in initial binding event.
What is CD2?
pan T-cell marker.
found on many T-cells, not all. Involved in lymphocyte adherence and signaling.
What is CD3?
pan T-cell marker. found on most, but not all T-cells. Involved in signal transduction and associated with TCR
What is CD4?
Marker found on T-helper cells. Stabilizes binding and has signaling function.
What is CD8?
Found on cytotoxic T-cells. Accessory molecule with signaling function.
What is MHC class II?
found on some activated T cells.
Antigen presentation.
3 cell mediated (no antibodies) reactions
- tissue rejection
- delayed hypersensitivity
- graft vs. host reaction
3 humoral (antibody dependent) reactions
- agglutination
- toxic neutralization
- immediate hypersensitivity (IgE)
2 components of a superantigen
- mitogen: promotes cell division
2. antigenic component: generates immune response
What is clonal selection?
B cell recognizes antigen
With help of Th: proliferation, maturation -> plasma cell: produces antibody
What immunoglobin is synthesized in a fetus?
IgM
all others in fetal circulation: trans placental from mother.
Describe active vs. passive vs. adoptive immunity
active: immunity carried out w/in host - long lived
passive: immune components transferred to host (Ab or cells) - transient protection (some immunizations, sIgA in breast milk)
adoptive: recreation of immune system - bone marrow transplant - histocompatibility antigen matching required.
Antibody vs. Immunoglobin
Antibody: specific to antigen
Immunoglobin: generic term.
Steps in infectious process
penetration of epithelium
recognition by macrophage -> activation -> release chemotactic factors (attract PMN from blood) and cytokines (inflammation)
macrophage phagocytizes pathogen, kills it
inflammation: arrival of PMN, monocyte, lymphocyte, compliment proteins, and clotting factors.
TLR-4
Toll-like Receptor 4: binds bacterial lipopolysaccharides -> triggers activation of NFkB (nuclear transcription factor) -> activation of genes transcribing antibacterial proteins.
TLR-3
Toll-like Receptor 3: Binds double stranded RNA -> triggers synthesis of interferons (prevent viral replication)
What is IL1?
Secreted by macrophages: pro-inflammatory, activates endothelium and lymphocytes, induces fever, induces production of IL6
What is IL6?
secreted by macrophages: pro-inflammatory, induces fever, activates lymphocytes, induces liver to produce acute phase proteins (CRP, mannose-binding lectin, fibrinogen)
What is TNF-alpha?
Tissue Necrotic Factor alpha - secreted by macrophages. Pro-inflammatory. Activates vascular endothelium, induces permeability, induces fever and shock.
*TNF antibody - treatment for RA
What is IL8?
Secreted by macrophages. Chemokine - attracts PMNs.
What is IL12?
Activates NK cells, induces TH0 cells to differentiate to TH1 cells.
What is C-reactive protein and what does it do?
Acute phase protein produced in the liver - induced by IL-6. Clinical indicator of inflammatory response, also elevated in Cardiovascular disease. Opsonin and activates compliment.
How do leukocytes interact with endothelium?
Selectin on endothelium bind carbohydrates on leukocyte - weak binding - slows leukocyte.
Integrin (leukocyte) binds ICAM (endothelium and dendritic cells) - strong binding.
Describe the innate immune response to viral infection
Viral dsRNA binds TLR3 -> interferon a and B ->
- inhibition of viral mRNA translation
- activation of NK cells - kill virus infected cells w/ low MHC I
- increase expression of MHC I - elevated expression -> killed by cytotoxic T cells.
NK cell origin and function
From lymphocyte precursor cell / Tcell precursor.
Involved in innate immunity: kill virus infected or tumor cells that lack MHC I. Also have receptors for antibody constant region. Binding releases lytic granules - antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)
How does the Compliment system fight infection?
- attraction of phagocytes (C3a, C5a)
- opsonization (C3b)
- direct killing of pathogens - via Membrane Attack Complex (MAC) - initiated by C5b - completed by 6-9
Hereditary angioneurotic edema
patients lack C1 inhibitor -> excessive C2 and C4 activation -> swelling
Also lack of bradykinin inhibition -> vasodilation, low BP, shock
What are 3 functions of the Fc portion of IgG?
- compliment fixation
- cell binding
- trans-placental passage
What cell type produces the secretory chain of sIgA?
Epithelial cells of secretory gland.
Describe IgG structure
monomer
4 gamma subclasses
2 heavy chains (4 domains each - 3 constant, 1 variable)
Carbohydrate attachment site at Ch2 domains
2 light chains (lambda or kappa, 2 domains each - 1 constant, 1 variable)
hinge region between 2 Fab arms and 1 Fc arm - allows movement of Fab arms
Describe IgA structure
Monomer or polymer (10s and 11s secretory)
polymer - incorporates J chain
sIgA incorporates S chain
Describe IgM structure
pentamer involves one J chain Ch4 domain in H chain 1st in evolution agglutinator, serum primary response, evidence of recent infection
Describe IgD structure
Monomer
Usually found on surface of mature B cells
H chain slightly larger than IgG
Early immune response
Describe IgE structure
Monomer
Free or Mast cell surface
H chain has extra domain (epsilon)
Immediate hypersensitivity, worm immunity
What is an Ig Isotype?
class vs. subclass IgG vs IgM and IgG gamma 1-4
What is an Ig allotype?
differences between individuals of same species
IgG vs. IgG of two people - genetic differences, usually of C region
What is an Ig Idiotype?
Variations associated with V regions.
Level of antibody specificity for antigen.
CDR associated and Framework associated.
What is the minimum recognizable molecular weight for an antigen?
1,000
How do immunoglobins rank in terms of half-life?
G > A > M > D > E
What is the most abundant Ig produced by the human body?
IgA
Extensive mucosal body surfaces.
GI produces most antibody - more than spleen, marrow, lymph nodes.
List 3 functions of sIGA
barrier defense
antigen transport
intracellular viral neutralization
What is the limiting factor in polymerization of IgM and IgA?
J chain
Where does the S chain of sIgA come from?
poly-immunoglobin receptor on epithelial cells.
interacts w/ IgA dimer, brings into cell, transport to apical side, and a piece (S chain) stays w/ dimer when secreted.
What gene fragments compose the Variable regions of heavy and light chain Igs? Where do re-arrangements take place?
Light: V, J fragments
Heavy: V, D, J fragments
Re-arrangement: DNA re-arrangement
What enzymes are required for recombination of Ig variable chains?
V(DJ) recombinase (all cells), RAG1, RAG2 (all cells)
L gene needed for production of “leader” protein that directs proteins to secretory pathway.
What is allelic exclusion in light chain Ig expression?
Kappa and Lambda loci are found on separate chromosomes.
Kappa re-arranges first. If successful, Lambda rearrangement is inhibited.
More Kappa than Lambda in serum. 2:1
What are the sequence of gene rearrangement events in Ig production?
I. Heavy Chain
1. D+J -> (DJ) DNA splicing 2. V + (DJ) -> VDJ DNA splicing 3. RNA transcription, including C region (Mu - synth of Mu silences other parental chromosome - allelic exclusion) 4. Light chain Kappa rearrangement: V+J -> VJ DNA splicing (if unsuccessful, other Kappa rearranges. If still unsuccessful, Lambda rearranges)
What is meant by “junctional” and “insertional” diversity?
Refers to “sloppy” links between V + J and D + J - imprecise splicing
Junctional diversity amino acid changes at junctional points that can influence Ab specificity
Insertional diversity: addition of small numbers of nucleotides at this location
What is somatic hypermutation?
When a mature B cell is activated by antigen and produces a clone of cells, there is a very high rate of mutation in V region genes.
Those progeny with the highest Ag affinity are selected.
What is receptor editing?
An immature B cell that expresses Ab to self Ag undergoes additional rearrangement of light chain gene to change specificity.
What immunoglobins are expressed by a mature B cell?
IgM and IgD - same specificity
What is class switching?
A mature B cell expressing IgM and IgD experiences a 2nd antigen exposure. Tcell cytokines induce additional heavy chain rearrangement -> IgA, G, or E
Specificity does not change
What is a hapten?
A small organic molecule that becomes part of an antigenic determinant when coupled with a carrier molecule
EX: DNP
What are the valences of Abs IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgD?
IgG: 2
IgA: 2 or 4
IgM: 10
IgD: 2
What is Ab avidity?
Combining power: valence + affinity
In a quantitative precipitation reaction, why does the precipitate weight peak after the equivalence (Ag = Ab) point?
Extensive latticing of AbAg interactions with excess antigen. As Ag excess increases, latticing decreases, so precipitate weight falls beyond peak.
What is a pattern of partial identity?
Precipitation in gel: two different antigens, one antibody pool
antibodies react with two determinants in one pool, only one in the other -> a ‘spur’ in resulting line of precipitate pointing toward the pool with a lacking determinant.
What is radial immunodiffusion used for?
A tool to quantitate antigens.
Agar contains IgG antibody
pools of known IgG quantity placed around agar for comparison to pool of unknown.
What immuno-interaction is exploited in ABO blood-typing?
Agglutination
What is Rhogan?
Antibody to Rh+ antigen
Given to Rh- mothers to prevent development of immunity against fetus. Could result in immune mediated destruction of future pregnancies.
What is erythroblastosis fetalis?
Hemolytic disease of the newborn.
Results from Rh- mother carrying Rh+ child. Mother develops antibody if blood mixes at birth -> Immune reaction w/ subsequent pregnancies - IgG crosses placenta - destruction of fetal RBCs
Describe the RIA process and what it is used for.
How much of X is in a sample
Radiolabeled X (constant concentration) mixed with a series of known concentrations of unbound, unlabeled X
Add known amount of AbX (in deficiency)
Separate bound from unbound and analyze with a gamma counter. Repeat with unknown and compare to control plot.
Describe ELISA and what it is for
Enzyme Linked Imunosorbant Assay
Used to detect antibodies and antigens
plate coated with antigen, sample containing antibody added, Fc antibody with enzyme linked added, then a reactant is added that results in a colormetric reaction catalyzed by the enzyme
Explain immunoflourescence and what it is used for.
Used to detect antibody or antigen expressed by a cell.
Cells/ tissue attached to glass slide. Flourescein labeled Ab is added for direct test.
For indirect test antigen specific IgG is added, then labeled anti IgG is added - stronger signal / antigen. Requires more controls.
Pre-B Cell receptor
Consists of Mu heavy chain and surrogate light chain. Expressed on surface of immature B Cells in close association with Ig-alpha and Ig-beta (signal transduction molecules).
On successful expression, Iga and IgB signal the B cell to begin light chain rearrangement.
Describe B cell negative regulation
Immature B cells react to cell bound self antigen by apoptosis
and to soluble self-antigen by anergy (inactivation) or receptor editing.
Autoreactive B cells are eliminated by this process.
What Ig receptors do Mature B cells express on their surfaces?
Both IgM and IgD
What Ig surface receptors do plasma cells express?
No Ig expressed on cell surface by plasma cells.
What receptors do Memory B cells express?
IgA, G or E on surface and CD44 (adhesion molecule)
What CD molecules are expressed during what stages of Bcell development?
CD19 ProB until Plasma cell
CD10 early: proB and preB (VDJ stage) - marker of early dev.
CD20: after CD10, until Plasma - marker of later dev.
What genes express pseudo or surrogate light chain?
VpreB
lambda5
surrogate light chain facilitates transfer of IgM to the cell surface.