Theme 3- 3b (Antigens and Antigen receptors pt 2 ) Flashcards
what are the antigen presenting molecules used by T cells
what are their classes
MHC class I MHC class II
what is a paratope
antigen binding site
what can T cells bind to
the bind LINEAR ARRAYS of approx 9 aa via TCR
- NOT native Ag
- Ag is broken down to primary structure (PROCESSED) and PRESENTED to the T cell by molecules on the surface of Ag presenting cells (eg macrophages and dendritic cells)
what are the similarities between the BCR and TCR
- TCRs are similar to Fab fragment of B cell
- both TCR and BCR are composed of: 2 different peptide chains, variable region for binding antigen, constant regions, hinge regions
what are the differences between the BCR and TCR
TCR only has ONE antigen binding site
BCR has TWO
what are the TWO TYPES of TCR
αβ and γδ - with distinct functions
- which type is dependant on which genes encode the protein
describe the structure of TCR
VARIABLE REGION: made of of the V domains (Vα/Vβ or Vγ/Vδ) for antigen binding
CONSTANT REGION: made up of the C domains (Cα/Cβ or Cγ/Cδ)
do TCRs have a non membrane bound secretion
no, they are always membrane bound
how many antigen binding sites do TCRs have
ONE
does TCR have signalling molecules?
no- O it uses CD3 (an accessory molecule) instead
what is the structure of CD3
look at slide 8 for diagram
consists of 6 polypeptides:
ζζ, γε and εδ dimers
- ζ chains have 3 ITAMs
- γ, ε and δ have extracellular Ig folds and one ITAM apiece
TCRs can either be CD… or CD…?
what does this give rise to
CD4 or CD8
- CD4 or CD8 give ANOTHER WAY of TCR BINDING to the MHC
- this gives some SELECTIVITY
what are the TCR and CD3 held together by
electrostatic interactions, forming a compact structure in the T cell surface
what does each T cell have multiple copies of
where is this randomly generated
MULTIPLE copies of a SINGLE variant of the TCR, randomly generated in the THYMUS
describe T cell development
- THYMOCYTES enter the thymus not expressing the TCR or co-receptors (CD4/CD8)
- REARRANGEMENT of the DVJ segments of genes encoding α and β chains
- gives each cell a UNIQUE TCR to recognise an epitope
- if a FUNCTIONAL TCR is not formed (non-productive rearrangement), the T cell DIES by apoptosis
what % of thymocytes that enter the thymus actually become T cells
5% (rest die by apoptosis)
antibodies deal best antigens where
give examples
antigens that are outside the cell (eg bacteria outside cells/viruses outside of cells)
T cells are v good at attacking what type of antigen
give examples
antigens WITHIN CELLS so we want to KILL the cell (endogenous antigens)
eg virally infected cells/tumour cells
what do MOST T cells recognise
ONLY peptides
- T cells are specfic for AMINO ACID sequences of peptides
what has to occur for T cells to recognise and respond to FOREIGN peptide antigens
antigen has to be presented by MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX (MHC)
CD8 class T cells recognise what type of MHC class
MHC class I
CD4 class T cells recognise what type of MHC class
MHC class II
what is the purpose of the CD4/CD8 molecules
Whilst the TCR recognises and binds the peptide/MHC molecule complex, the CD4 and CD8 molecules also interact with and bind the MHC molecule ensuring stability of the ‘immunological synapse’
in T cell antigen recognition, what is the epitope of the antigen comprised of
some aa from the PRESENTED PEPTIDE
also SOME PARTS of the MHC