Immunoregulation Flashcards
What are the cell surface markers of T-regs?
CD4+, FoxP3+, and CD25
What is CD 25?
The alpha chain of IL-2 receptor
What is IL-2’s role in Treg cells?
Growth factor for Treg cells
What is IPEX syndrome?
An absence of T reg cells, causing autoimmunity d/t overstimulation of immune system
What is the function of CTLA-4?
Inhibits the activation of T cells by blocking the B7 receptor found on antigen presenting cells
What is TGF-β’s role in Treg development?
Induces the expression of FoxP3
What are the two general functions of Treg cells?
- prevent excessive immune responses to foreign antigens
2. prevent immune responses to self-antigens missed by tolerization
What cytokines do Treg cells express?
IL-10 and TGF-β
What is the function of IL-10 expressed from Treg cells? (2)
inhibits IL-12 production by dendritic cells and macrophages and downregulates expression of costimulatory molecules and class II MHC by these cells
What is the function of TGF-β expressed by Treg cells? (2)
suppresses the activation of macrophages and T cells and promotes the development of Treg cells
What role does IL-2 play in Treg cells mechanism of action?
Treg cells consume it, inhibiting development of other cells
What is an idiotype?
an antibody’s antigen-binding site made up of the hypervariable regions of the heavy and light chains
What is an anti-idiotope? What is the function of anti-idiotopes?
an antibody to another antibody’s idiotope
bind to and inhibit the B lymphocytes that express the original idiotope
How do anti-idiotypes work?
Produced a few days after antibody to antigen are produced. Not understood how
What are the two ways in which antibodies produced by B cells can inhibit B cells?
- Bind up/eliminate all antigen
2. Complexes of Antibodies bind to Fc receptors and membrane antibody
What is tolerance in immunology?
is a block in the growth and differentiation of lymphocytes brought about by antigen
Loss of tolerance leads to what?
Autoimmune diseases
Is tolerance antigen specific?
Yes
Is tolerance aquired or inborn?
Acquired
Do all individuals have the ability to develop antibodies to self antigens?
Yes
Is it easier to tolerize immature lymphocytes or mature ones?
Immature ones
What are the two mechanisms of tolerance?
- Clonal Deletion
2. Functional inactivation (clonal anergy)
Can mature lymphocytes be tolerized to antigen?
Yes
Why are T lymphocytes a better target of regulation than B cells?
They are more central to activation of immune response
What is central tolerance?
Deletion of reactive self T cells in the thymus
What is peripheral tolerance?
the clonal anergy of mature T lymphocytes in the periphery