MHCs and transplant immunology Flashcards
How were MHC proteins discovered?
Antibodies against donor MHC proteins were discovered in patients who had received multiple blood transfusions and kidney transplant patients
What is the alternative name for MHC proteins?
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)
What is the structure of a class II MHC protein?
- A transmembrane α protein with two domains, non-covalently attached to
- A transmembrane β protein with two domains
What is the structure of a class I MHC protein?
- A transmembrane α protein with three domains, non-covalently attached to
- An extracellular β2-microglobulin protein
- The peptide-binding cleft is deeper than that of MHC-II proteins
What are the strongest antigens produced on human cells?
HLAs
How many alleles of MHC proteins does a human inherit?
- 6 for class I HLA (2 each of the three class I locus products)
- 6–8 for class II HLA
What are the products of the class I MHC locus?
- HLA-A
- HLA-B
- HLA-C
What are the products of the class II MHC locus?
- HLA-D
What are the products of the “class III” MHC locus?
- C2
- C4
- Factor B
- TNF-α
- TNF-β
Which branch of the immune system (innate or adaptive) leads to transplant rejection?
Adaptive immunity
Define
Autologous graft (autograft)
A graft transplanted from one individual to the same individual
Define
Isograft (syngeneic graft)
A graft transplanted between two genetically identical individuals
Define
Allogeneic graft (allograft)
A graft transplanted between two genetically different individuals of the same species
Define
Xenogeneic graft (xenograft)
A graft transplanted between individuals of different species
What is first-set rejection?
Rejection that occurs in a first-time allograft after recognition of the alloantigens by the adaptive immune system (similar to a primary immune response)