Lecture 10 & 11 MHC-HLA Structure, Function & Genes APM Flashcards
what are major histocompatibility complex (MHC)?
cluster of genes located on a single chromosome coding cell-surface molecules that present antigen to T cells and immune proteins
MHC is found on chromosome ___ in humans and chromosome ___ in mice
6; 17
MHC present antigen to ___ cells and engage ___ cells
T; NK
MHC is also celled ____ in humans and ___ in mice
human leukocyte antigens (HLA); H2 complex
what are the classes of MHC?
I, II, and III
does class III MHC present antigen?
no
what is the function of MHC 3?
encode relatively conserved immune mediators that are important for inflammatory responses
what are the 2 functions of MHC1?
- present intracellular antigens to CD8+ T cells
2. engage NK cells for self/missing self discrimination
where are MHC1 found (on what cells?)
nearly all nucleated cells
what is the structure of MHC1?
one large glycoprotein (alpha chain with 3 extracellular domains –a1, a2, a3) and one small protein light chain
what are the variable regions of the MHC1?
- a1 and a2 domains form a cavity (2 extended a helices on a B-pleated sheet)
- the cavity is called the antigen binding groove and the linear peptide sits inside
- peptide anchor residues are at each end
what are the conserved regions of the MHC 1?
- transmembrane domain
- a3 domain
- B2m (beta-2-microglobulin)
what is the transmembrane domain in MHC1?
consists of 3 regions: external, a hydrophobic sequence (membrane anchor), and a short hydrophilic sequence (cytoplasmic)
what is the a2 domain of the MHC1?
highly conserved and noncovalently interacts with B2-microglobulin, as well as with the CD8 co-receptor on cytotoxic T cells
what is the B2m (Beta-2-microglobulin) of the MHC1?
highly conserved; interacts with a3 domain and stabilizes MHC1 complexes
what is the function of the MHC2?
present antigens derived from extracellular/exogenous compartment to CD4+ T cells
on what cells can you find MHC2?
professional APC (DCs, macrophages, B cells)
explain the structure of MHC2
- 2 different glycoprotein chains (a-33kDa and B-28kDa) and are subdivided by their extracellular regions: 1 & 2
- a and B chains are organized into 2 external globular domains, a hydrophobic membrane anchor, and a short hydrophilic cytoplasmic tail
what are the 3 variable regions of the MHC2?
- a1 & B1 form the antigen/peptide-binding groove
- peptides are 13-18 AA long and hang off the end
- peptide anchor residues are distributed across the length of the antigen binding groove
what are the conserved regions of the MHC2?
a2 and B2 are relatively conserved between MHC2 molecules
what is the most polymorphic gene in the human genome?
MHC
____ gene products are responsible for transplantation rejection reactions
histocompatibility
the specific set of MHC molecules expressed by an individual will influence the repertoire of ___ to which the individuals T cells can respond
antigens
MHC ___ denotes the set of allelic forms of MHC1&2 genes expressed by a particular strain of mice or person
haplotypes
____ is rare, so groups of MHC genes are inherited together
meiotoc recombination
why is meiotic recombination rare in MHC genes?
the genes are in high linkage disequilibrium
in mice the haplotype is designated by a ____
arbitrary superscript e.g. H-2a
in humans, haplotypes are named for the ___ they contain
genes
different MHC genes are named for their ___
locus
differences between alleles are typically found at the ___MHC1 regions and ___MHC2 regions
a1 & a2; a1 & B1
what is the function of polymorphisms in MHC?
allows diversity in terms of what peptides can be presented and the interactions between peptides + MHC with T cell receptors
how does polymorphic diversity make it more challenging for pathogens to evade recognition?
polymorphic diversity makes it more likely that someone in a population can mount an immune response
which MHC gene is the most diverse?
Class 1 HLA locus B
peptide contact with class 1 MHC is by ____ bonding
hydrogen
t/f in class 1 MHC, longer peptides bulge in the middle whereas shorter peptides lie flat in the groove
t
what residues determine which peptides can bind?
variable anchor residues
co-dominant expression ___ (increases or decreases) the likelihood of antigen presentation
increases
t/f MHC establishes diversity even among closely related people
t
how can a reduction in MHC polymorphism may predispose a species to Dx?
by limiting the range of processed antigen that can interact with MHC molecules
give an example of an animal that does not have enough MHC diversity and therefore experiences more contagious cancer
tasmanian devils
variations in antigen presentation by different MHC alleles may determine the effectiveness of the _____ to a given pathogen
immune response
why is it advantageous to have high level polymorphisms of MHC?
it provides a broad range of antigen-presenting MHC molecules
t/f some autoimmune Dx and certain Dx caused by pathogenic organisms are associated with particular MHC alleles
t
what are the 2 models that explain the MCH2 and immune responsiveness?
- determinant selection model
2. holes in the repertoire model
explain the determinant selection model
different allelic forms of class 2 MHC molecules differe in their ability to bind and present processed antigen. This means different people with different haplotypes will have different abilities to bind and respond to peptides from pathogens