Lymphocyte Activation Flashcards
Why is an understanding of lymphocyte activation important in transfusion and transplantation?
Rejection reactions of both solid organ transplants and Human Stem Cell Transfusions are reliant on T cell and subsequently B cell activation
Many immunosuppressive therapies used in preventing rejection are based on interfering with different points in the lymphocyte activation process e.g. stopping proliferation etc
On what cells is MHC II found?
On antigen presenting cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells, monocytes and B cells
What does T cell activation ultimately end in?
Clonal expansion of T cells
Subsequent activation of B cells and thus a humoral response
What reaction is required for T cell Activation?
The interaction of the TCR-CD3 complex with a processed exogenous antigen bound to an MHC class II molecule preseented by an APC
What must the T-cell receptor complex with for lymphocyte activation and why must it do so?
The TCR must complex with CD3
The TCR’s tails are not long enough to induce signal transduction throughout the cell on its own -> requires the longer cytoplasmis tails of CD3
Long tails of CD3 go much deeper into the cell cytoplasm for signal transduction to occur
What is the principal function of the TCR?
The specific recognition of an antigen
-> TCR different on all T cells
What molecules are found on the surface of the T cell which play a role in signal transduction?
CD3
CD4/CD8 depending on the type of T cell
CD28
What is the role of integrin?
Adhesion
What is the role of the TCR coreceptor?
The TCR coreceptor strengthens the reaction between MHC II and CD4 molecule
Does so through the D1 domain of the CD4 molecule and the alpha and beta chains of the MHCII molecule
What is the role of the TCR coreceptor?
The TCR coreceptor strengthens the reaction between MHC II and CD4 molecule
Does so through the D1 domain of the CD4 molecule and the alpha and beta chains of the MHCII molecule
What is found on the tail of CD4 molecules?
A tyrosine kinase (enzyme) known as p56 Lck
What is p56 Lck and what does it do?
It is a tyrosine kinase which phosphorylates tyrosine residues found in ITAMS in the tails of CD3
Briefly describe the structure of CD3
Composed of 6 chains which penetrate the T cell surface
6 chains, 3 pairs of 2
ITAMS are present in the cytoplasmic tail of each CD3 chain
The phosphorylation of these ITAMS forms signal 1 in lymphocyte activation
What does ITAM stand for?
Immunoreceptor
Tyrosine-based
Activation
Motifs
Describe in you own words what an ITAM is
An imunoreceptor -> a receptor on an immune cell
Tyrosine-based -> a protein consisting of the amino acid tyrosine
Activation -> involved in cell activation
Motif -> a specific sequence of amino acids
What is CD28?
A co-stimulatory molecule i.e. it works along side another system to bring about a response
CD28 must bind with either protein B7-1 (CD80) or B7-2 (CD86) to produce signal 2 in lymphocyte activation
What is CD28?
A co-stimulatory molecule i.e. it works along side another system to bring about a response
CD28 must bind with either protein B7-1 (CD80) or B7-2 (CD86) to produce signal 2 in lymphocyte activation
In your own words, what are the two signals needed for lymphocte activation?
Signal 1 -> CD4 binds to MHC II, p56 lcK of CD4 acts on the ITAMs of CD3 to phosphorylate the tyrosine residues
Signal 2 -> CD28 binds to protein B7-1 (CD80) or B7-2 (CD86) of the APC
On what cells are proteins B7-1 and B7-2 (CD80 and CD86) expressed on?
These proteins are expressed on the antigen presenting cells
What is the area of space between the T cell and the APC known as?
Used to be called the immunological synapse
Now known as The Supramolecular Activation Complex (SMAC) which is further divided into the central-SMAC (C-SMAC) and peripheral-SMAC (p-SMAC)
What does SMAC stand for?
The Supramolecular Activation Complex
What six T cell proteins are foun in the c-SMAC
TCR -> T Cell receptor
CD2 -> promotes intercellular adhesion
CD4/CD8 -> depending on if Helper or Cytotoxic
CD28 -> costimulatory receptor -> signal 2
PKC-theta -> protein kinase C-theta -> downstream signalling
What 3 proteins are found in the p-SMAC?
LFA-1
ICAM-1
Talin
What is LFA-1?
Lymphocyte Function Associated antigen 1
An integrin that transmits information in two directions across the plasma membrane of leukocytes
What is an integrin?
A type of protein found on the surface of cells that helps them attach to and communicate with nearby cells
What is ICAM 1?
An intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)
What is talin?
A cytoskeletal protein
Its found concentrated at regions of cell-cell contact
What is meant by Naive T cells?
These are T cells which are fully competent i.e. have developed their TCR but have not met their antigen yet
How many signals do naive T cells need for activation and what are these signals?
Naive T cells require 2 signals for activation and subsequent proliferation
Signal 1 -> initial signal
Signal 2 -> a co-stimulatory signal
What is Signal 1 in lymphocyte activation?
The initial signal generated by interaction of an MHC antigenic peptide complex with the TCR-CD3 complex
What is signal 2?
A co stimulatory signal
Signal provided primarily by interactions between CD28 on the T cell and proteins B7-1 or B7-2 on the APC
On what cells is CD28 expressed on?
(Hinted to come up on exam)
Expressed on 95% of human peripheral blood T helper cells
Expressed on 50% of human CD8+ T cells
NB:
On what cells is CD28 expressed on?
(Hinted to come up on exam)
Expressed on 95% of human peripheral blood T helper cells
Expressed on 50% of human CD8+ T cells
NB:
What does the lack of CD28 on a CD8+ cell mean?
(Hinted to come up on exam)
These cells are a type of regulatory T cell involved in immunosenescence (diminished immune activity)
The presence of these cells may promote graft tolerance -> think organ transplant
Can use flow cytometry to detect this i.e. CD8+, CD8- cells
CD28 is expressed on what % of murine naive T cells?
Expressed on 100% of murine naive T cells
What are the different types of T cell receptors?
There are two main types of T cell receptors:
- alpha beta receptors
- gamma delta receptors
What type of T cell receptor is most common in human blood?
Alpha-beta TCRs
Briefly describe the structure of T cell receptors
TCRs are composed of heterodimers of either alpha beta or gamma delta
Associated with invariant CD3 complexes on the lymphocyte surface
Briefly describe the structure of T cell receptors
TCRs are composed of heterodimers of either alpha beta or gamma delta
Associated with invariant CD3 complexes on the lymphocyte surface
What is protein B7-1 and B7-2 also known as?
CD80 and CD86
What is protein B7-1 and B7-2 also known as?
CD80 and CD86
If cells want to proliferate what do they require after signal 2 etc?
Interleukin 2 -> this is the growth factor for lymphocytes
What is CD45R?
(Hinted to come up on exam)
A tyrosine phosphatase
expressed on both T cells and B cells
Essential in TCR and BCR cell receptor signalling