T cell antigen recognition Flashcards
what are MHC molecules?
- Widely distributed expression
- Never secreted
- No effector functions
- Possess a peptide binding groove
- Presents processed peptide antigens to T cells
- Genes are highly polymorphic
- MHC molecules are so polymorphic that they act as the main foreign antigens in organ transplants
how do T cells recognise antigens?
- Ag Recognised by B cells and antibodies but not by T cells
- Peptide/MHC complexes recognised by T cells
what was the 1st investigation into Immunological tolerance and transplant rejection?
Sir Peter Medawer 1915 -1987
Autografts succeed
Allografts fail after initial acceptance
Second grafts - accelerated rejection
The destruction of allografts due to immunological mechanisms
what is IMMUNE GRAFT REJECTION
Rejection of transplanted tissue associated with inflammation and lymphocyte infiltration
what is the Genetic basis of transplant rejection?
Graft rejection between strains segregates with MHC HAPLOTYPE
what is the Immunological basis of graft rejection?
Transplant rejection is due to an antigen-specific immune response with immunological memory.
describe the Distribution of MHC molecules?
- Patterns of expression reflect function:
- Class I involved in regulation of anti-virus immune responses all cells can be infected by viruses - all cells express MHC class I
- Anucleate erythrocytes do not support virus replication - hence no MHC class I. - Class II involved in regulation and development of the immune system
what is the difference in Cleft geometry between classes?
- MHC class I accommodate peptides of 8-10 amino acids
- MHC class II accommodate peptides of >13 amino acids
- Peptides are held in the groove by non-covalent forces
- Properties of the inner faces of the groove determine which peptides bind
how do we know MHC binding peptides differ in sequence motifs?
- Peptides can be acid eluted from MHC molecules and sequenced
- Peptides from a particular type of MHC class I molecule have conserved patterns of amino acids
what are MOTIFS?
Common arrangements of amino acids in MHC binding peptides
how can MHC molecules bind peptides of different length
- Complementary anchor residues & pockets provide the broad specificity of a particular type of MHC molecule for peptides
- Peptide sequence between anchors can vary
Number of amino acids between anchors can vary
describe Peptide antigen binding to MHC class II molecules
- Anchor residues are not localised at the N and C termini
- Ends of the peptide are in extended conformation and may be trimmed
- Motifs are less clear than in class I-binding peptides
- Pockets are more permissive
what are ANCHOR RESIDUES ?
Amino acids that tether peptides to the MHC molecule
how can MHC molecules bind peptides of different length
- anchor residues &pockets have broad specificity of a particular type of MHC molecule for peptides
- Peptide sequence between anchors can vary
- Number of amino acids between anchors can vary
how does Evasion of the MHC by pathogens work?
- Ag–specific T cells are activated by peptide/MHC complexes
- No T cells - no adaptive immunity
- Strong selective pressure for pathogens to mutate those nucleotides encoding anchor residues
- MHC has strategies to prevent evasion by pathogens
POLYGENISM - More than one type of MHC molecule in each individual
POLYMORPHISM - Differences in MHC molecules between individuals
How can the MHC keep up with
rapidly mutating pathogens?
- Allow the population to have many ALLELIC VARIANTS of each type of MHC molecule
- Accept that the MHC may not protect every individual from every pathogen
how does Evasion of the MHC by pathogens work?
- Ag–specific T cells are activated by peptide/MHC complexes
- No T cells - no adaptive immunity
- Strong selective pressure for pathogens to mutate those nucleotides encoding anchor residues
How can the MHC keep up with
rapidly mutating pathogens?
- population has ALLELIC VARIANTS of each type of MHC molecule
- Accept that the MHC may not protect every individual from every pathogen
how does variation in MHC work?
- type and variant of MHC molecules doesn’t vary in the lifetime of the individual
- Diversity in MHC molecules exists at the population level NOT in the individual.
- This contrasts the diversity found in T and B cell antigen receptors which are in a constant state of flux within the individual.
how does Polygeny work?
Antigen presenting CLASS I: 3 types HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C
Antigen presenting CLASS II: 3 types HLA-DP HLA-DQ HLA-DR
3 extra DR genes in some individuals (CNV) can allow 3 extra HLA-DR molecules
Maximum of 9 types of antigen presenting molecule allow interaction with a wide range of peptides
how does Polymorphism in the MHC affects peptide antigen binding?
Changes in amino acids contributing to the pockets, walls and floor of the peptide binding cleft determine which peptides bind.
explain Diversity of MHC molecules in the individual
MHC molecules are CODOMINANTLY expressed
Two of each of the six types of MHC molecule are expressed
Genes in the MHC are tightly LINKED and inherited in a unit MHC HAPLOTYPE
how are EXOGENOUS PATHOGENS processed?
- e.g. phagocytksed bacteria & bacteria that survive in cellular vacuoles
- Eliminated by: Antibodies and phagocyte activation via CD4+ T helper cells
- Antigens are prepared by EXOGENOUS ANTIGEN PROCESSING
how are ENDOGENOUS PATHOGENS processed?
- e.g. viruses
- Eliminated by killing of infected cells with CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL)
- Antigens prepared for CTL by ENDOGENOUS ANTIGEN PROCESSING