MHC And Ag Presentaiton To T Cells Flashcards
T cells have evolved to protect us against ____ microbes.
Intracellular microbes (viruses and some bacteria)
T cells have evolved to protect us against intracellular microbes. They also help to mount a robust Ab-mediated humoral immune response against ____ pathogens.
Extracellular
True or false: t cells cannot directly recognize unprocessed Ags or bind to microbes.
True
What are Ags in host cells broken up into?
Linear peptides.
They are displayed by MHC molecules expressed on the cell surface.
True or false: each T cell recognizes many specific foreign peptides.
False, each T cell recognizes one specific foreign peptide.
This occurs during normal thymus development.
CD4 T helper cells recognize Ags in the context of what MHC class of molecules?
MHC class II.
These are expressed by DCs, macrophages and B cells.
CD8 cytotoxic T cells recognize peptides associated with what MHC class of molecules?
MHC class I
CD4 and CD8 attach to what part of the MHC class I and II molecules?
The non-polymorphic (non-variant) part.
In order for naive T cells to carry out their functions, what needs to occur?
They need to be activated.
Recognition of the peptide Ag by the TCR is not sufficient to activated the cells.
T cell activation leads to ____ of specific T cells.
Clonal expansion.
What is the function of T helper cells?
They help macrophages to get rid of intracellular microbes and help the development of cytotoxic T cells to kill virus infected cells.
What substance produced by Th1 cells activates macrophages?
IFN-gamma
What is the primary role of Th2 cells?
They are involved in helping B cells to develop into memory cells and plasma cells that produce antibodies.
What substance produced by Th2 cells is important for B cell proliferation?
IL-4
Where is the TCR for an Ag only found?
On the T cell membrane.
What is the TCR composed of?
Two polypeptide chains (alpha and beta), which are made up of constant and variable regions.
What constitutes the Ag binding sites of T cell receptors (TCRs)?
The alpha and beta chain variable regions.
What is the difference between alpha-beta T cells and gamma-delta T cells?
The gamma-delta T cells have some of the characteristics of alpha-beta T cells, but have a broader specificity for unconventional Ag such as HSPs and phospholipids.
The genes coding for TCR polypeptide chains are members of what superfamily?
Ig superfamily
What is a difference between Abs and TCRs?
Unlike Abs, TCRs do not recognize native antigens, but can only bind processed Ag presented in MHC molecules.
What does the T cell receptor complex consist of?
The TCR
Alpha beta or gamma delta dimer in association with CD3
What is CD3?
A signaling complex composed of gamma, delta and sigma chains. It is associated with TCRs
What is the significance of co-dominant expression of the MHC gene?
It increases the number of different MHC molecules that can present peptides to T cells.
What is the significance of polymorphic genes of the MHCs?
They ensure that different individuals are able to present and respond to different microbial peptides.
What do CD4 helper T lymphocytes interact with?
DCs, macrophages and B lymphocytes
What is CD8 capable of?
Killing an virus-infected cell.
What is contained on the heavy chain of MHFC molecules?
A binding groove for peptides to be recognized by T cells. They are derived from class I genes.
What do Class II genes encode?
Molecules composed of two dissimilar polymorphic polypeptide chains, both of which contribute to the peptide-binding groove.