Immunology Exam 2 Flashcards
Antigenicity
The property of a substance (antigen) that allows it to react with the products of a specific immune response (antibodies)
Immunogenticity
The property of a substance (immunogen) that allows it to provoke an immune response
Immunogens
All immunogens are antigens, but all antigens are not immunogens
Epitope
The region where antigen and antibody, of antigen and TCR bind
Linear epitope
continuous stretch of amino acids
can shapeshift
Conformational epitope
regions of folded protein which cannot shapeshift
hapten
Very small antigen which is able to bind TCR or antibody, but not large enough to provoke a n immune response on its own
Characteristics of immunogens
foreignness- proteins, lipids, etc on the outside of the microbe are not seen as native to the body
molecular size- less than or = to 100,000 causes an immune response; greater than 100,000 causes little to no immune response
Complexity: proteins with basic or aromatic a.a.’s induce stronger immune responses. Polysaccharides tend to be naturally-occuring antigen. nucleic acids are not immunogenic on their own, need to be complexed. Polypeptides- mw~1500 (small asf molecule) molecules also need to be complexed
stability- (flexibility) substance with high flexibility, or low stability are not strong antigens
degradability- best immunogens can be partially degraded for T cell presentation; inert material does not provoke an immune response (hence plastic and metal being used in orthopedic surgeries)
Categories of antigens
Exogenous (“non-human”), exogenous (human), endogenous (“self antigens”), super antigens
exogenous “not human” antigens
microbial; found on surfaces of bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, pollutatnt, allergens
exogenous human
alloantigens
alloantigens
antigens from members of same species that distinguish individuals from each other
endogenous “self-antigens”
Immune response should not normally be provoked by self antigens
Super antigens
Toxins that bind nonpolymorphic regions of MHC and invariant portions of TCR
Results in massive T cell activation
Differences between membrane bound antibody (B cell) + TCR
Antibody recognize many types of antigen shapes/conformations/macromolecules. TCRs recognize peptides via MHC. Only recognize infected cells and tumor cells.
Antigen receptor molecules consist of regions/domains
-v=variable=antigen recognition
-c=constant=provide structural stability and bind signal molecules
B lymphocytes can recognize shapes of macromolecules, like proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates
T cells can only recognize peptides bound to MHC
Antigen receptors of Lymphocytes
Antibodies and T cell receptors
What does beta-mecaptiethanol do?
Breaks disulfide bonds in antibodies
What does an antibody contain?
Four polypeptide chains: two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains with each containing a variable and constant region
Structure of an antibody
Each light chain (are 2) is attached to a heavy chain (are 2)
Two heavy chains attached to each other via a disulfide bond
Light chains made up of V and one C domain
Heavy chain has one V and 3 or 4 C domains
Antigen binding site of antibody has V regions of both the heavy and light chains
antibody contains two identical binding sites
CDR
Complementary determining region
Is hypervariable
CDR3 located at the junction of V and C region. Portion of Ig molecule which contributes to binding
Classes of antibodies
Mu IgM, delta IgD, epsilon IgE, gamma IgG, alpha IgA
Differ in C region and have physical, biological and effector properties
What happens when B cells are activated?
Antibodies are secreted, antibodies recognize different types of molecules and enable the humoral immune system to bind and eliminate the microbes and toxins.
What happens when B cells are activated?
Antibodies are secreted, antibodies recognize different types of molecules and enable the humoral immune system to bind and eliminate the microbes and toxins.
Antigen recognizing domains
Variable regions and the conserved portions are constant regions
C and V regions
Within V region sequence variation is short sequences called hyper variable regions or complementarity determining domains (CDRs)
complementarity determining domains (CDRs)
Vary from one receptor to the next and are complementary to the shapes of antigens
By concentrating sequence variation in small regions of the receptor, it is possible to maximize the variability of the antigen binding part while retaining the basic structure of the receptors
Invariant membrane proteins
Associated with antigen receptor polypeptides
Deliver intercellular signals following antigen recognition
Cause a lymphocyte to divide, differentiate, perform effector functions or die
Therefore lymphocytes use different proteins to recognize antigens and to transducer signals in response to antigens which allows variability to be segregated in one set of molecules while leaving the conserved function of signal transduction to other invariant proteins
BCR complex
Set of plasma membrane antigen receptor and associated signaling molecules in B lymphocytes
TCR complex
The analogous set of proteins in T lymphocytes
Binds to MHC
What happens when antigens bind to antigen receptors?
Signaling proteins are P’ed on conserved tyrosine residues by enzymes called protein tyrosine kinases
P causes signaling cascades which results in transcription activation of genes, production of numerous proteins which mediate responses of the lymphocytes
Two forms of antigens
Membrane bound antigen receptors on B cells, secreted proteins
Secreted antibodies
Present in blood and mucus to defend body from microbes
effector molecules of humoral immunity
Are immunoglobulins
Recognize microbial antigens and toxins by their variable domains
Constant regions of secreted antibodies have the ability to bind to other molecules that participate in the elimination of antigens such as proteins of complement system and receptors of other cells (phagocytes, mast cells, NK cells)
Neutralize and eliminate microbes and their toxins in the effector phase of humoral immunity
Immunoglobulins (Igs)
Antibodies
Immunity conferring proteins with the physical characteristics of globulins
Membrane bound antibodies role
Recognize antigens to initiate B cell activation
Cell mediated immunity
Effector function of microbe elimination is performed by T lymphocytes and by other leukocytes responding to T cells
Antigen receptors of T cells are only involved in antigen recognition and T cell activation
Their proteins are NOT secreted and do NOT mediate effector functions
Antibody strucutre
Composed of four polypeptide chains, two identical heavy chains, two identical light chains
Each chain has a variable region and a constant region
Forms a Y shape
Each light chain is attached to a heavy chain
Two heavy chains are fitted together with a double disulfide bond
What does light chain consist of?
Made up of one V chain and one C domain
Are kappa or lambda but not both which differ in C regions
No difference in antigen-binding functions
Contribute to binding and neutralizing of toxins/microbes
What does heavy chain consist of?
Made up of one V and three or four C domains
Immunoglobulin domain (Ig)
When the domains of an antibody fold into a characteristic three dimensional shape
Ig domain consists of two layers of a beta-pleated sheet held together by a disulfide bridge.
Adjacent strands of each beta-sheet are connected by short, protruding loops.
V region of Ig molecules, three of these loops make up three CDRs responsible for antigen recognition
Ig domains without hypervariable regions
In many proteins of the immune system and outside the system
Proteins are involved in responding to stimuli from the environment and from other cells or in adhesive interactions between cells
Proteins are part of the immunoglobulin family
Antigen-binding site of an antibody
Composed of V regions of both the heavy chain and light chain
Core antibody structure contains two identical antigen binding sites
Fab
Whole light chain attached to the V and first C domains of heavy chain
Capable of recognition
Two Fab which attach to one Fc
Binding of Fab neutralizes toxins
Fc
Fragment containing the remaining heavy-chain C domains
Identical in all antibodies
Crystalizes in solution
Binding of Fc region activates other effector functions
Five types of heavy chain proteins
α, δ, ε, γ and μ
IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM
Differ in C regions
Gamma chain
1,2,3,4
alpha chains
1,2
IgA
C region is alpha 1,2
Does not activate complement not an opsonin
Mainly a dimer, or monomer, trimer
Mucosal immunity because it is secreted
Secreted in breastmilk
Effector function is bacteria and viruses and prevents them from entering the tissue
IgD
No effector function on its own but it is necessary for B cell activation
Monomer
Naive B cell antigen receptor with IgM
Delta heavy chain
When IgM+IgD bind to antigen and are stimulated by T helper cells
Antigen specific B cell clone expands and differentiates which makes more IgM
IgM+IgD+ helper T cells causes B cell expansion and differentiation
Plasma cells secrete IgM and also produce antibodies of other heavy chain classes (heavy chain class or isotope switiching)
IgE
Effector-binds to antigen to induce signal transduction in mast cells. Mast cell activation occurs (mucus membranes)
Immediate hypersensitivity
epsilon heavy chain
Increased [ ] in parasitic infections and allergic reactions
Monomer
Binds CH4 region
Mast cell coated with IgE in respiratory tract encounters allergens and binds allergens
Mast cells degranulates releasing histamine which causes allergic rhinitis
IgE binds parasite= mast cell is called in and binds IgE tail, degranulates
IgG
Subtypes are gamma 1,2,3,4 because of slight difference in amino acid structure
1,3,4 cross the placenta
1,3 activate complement, act as opsonins
80% Igs
Found equally in tissue fluid and blood
effector- bind/activates complement, strong opsonin
Resolution of infection
Important in secondary immune response
IgM
Active infection marker
6% of Igs
First antibody produced during development and first one at infection
Mostly found in blood
Can hangout in mucus membranes
Effector cells bind bacteria, viruses
Strong aglutinador
Binds and activates complement
Not an opsonin b/c it is so huge a phagocyte cannot eat it!!
Is a monomer as B cell receptor, becomes pentamer when secreted
Heavy-chain class/isotope class switiching
Change in Ig isotope production
Affinity
The strength with which one antigen binding site of an antibody binds to one epitope of an antigen
Increases with repeated stimulation
Affinity maturation
Increase in antigen-binding strength
Avidity
The total strength of binding is much greater than the affinity of a single antigen-antibody bond
Cross-reaction
When antibodies produced against one antigen bind another, structurally similar antigens
Monoclonal antibodies
Obtained from an animal immunized with an antigen
Then you get one specific antibody
Hybridomas
Hybrids of B cells and myeloma cells
Produce antibodies and grow continuously
We replace animal Ig with human Ig to not cause an immune response
Can also replace Ig genes of mice with human antibody genes and immunize mice with antigen to make specific human antibodies
TCR
recognizes antigens and MHC molecule
Consists of a V and C region
Has alpha and beta chain (specific recognition of MHC molecules and bound peptides
three complementary determining regions each corresponding to a loop in the V domain
Incapable of transmitting signal to T cells
CD3 and Zeta (wiggle wiggle) chains
associated with TCR to make TCR complex
Initiates signaling when TCR recognizes antigen
What is needed for T cell activation?
engagement of coreceptor molecules CD4 or CD8 (recognizes nonpolymorphic regions portions of MHC molecules
Difference between antigen recognition between B and T lymphocytes
Antibodies can bind to different chemical structures with high affinity to neutralize toxins present in low concentrations
Heavy chain is membrane-anchored
Are secreted
TCR only recognize peptide-MHC complexes and bind with low affinity
Affinity is strengthened by other cell adhesion molecules
Both TCR chains are anchored to PM
Are not secreted, do not undergo affinity maturation or do not have isotopes to which switching can occur
Gamma delta TCR
5-10% of T cells express this
Recognize variety of protein and non protein antigens that are not displayed by MHC.
Are in epithelia
Natural killer T cells (NK-T cells)
5% of all T cells
Express alpha beta TCRs and surface molecules of NK cells
Express alpha beta TCRs with limited diversity, recognize lipid antigens displayed by nonpolymorphic class I MHC like molecules called CD1
MAIT cells
Subset of T cells
Mucosal associated invariant T cells
alpha beta TCRs with limited diversity
TCRs are specific for bacterially derived vitamin B metabolites bound to an MHC-like protein called MR1
Account for 5% of blood, 20-40% of liver T cells