Non-self and Self Antigen Presentation

Question 1

What presents non self-antigens to immature lymphocytes and why?

Answer 1

APCs (macrophages and dendritic cells) as well as cortical epithelial cells

For positive selection

Question 2

In centre of medulla, what happens?

Answer 2

Self-peptides are presented to immature lymphocytes by medullary thymic epithelial cells

Question 3

What is the process of self-antigen presentation controlled by?

Answer 3

Autoimmune regulatory gene which causes expression, breakdown and presentation of organ specific proteins that are not normally expressed in the thymus

Question 4

What do these thymic cells do?

Answer 4

Thymic cells produce, breakdown and present proteins specific for lung, heart, kidney, brain etc

Question 5

What is purpose of self-antigen presentation?

Answer 5

Self-recognition by mature T cells outside of thymus is prevented