Week 2 Flashcards
What is an overview of immunoglobulins?
Antigen binding proteins
Present on B cell membrane confers antigenic specificity
Secreted by plasma cells
What is an overview of the function of antibodies?
Effectors of humoral immunity:
Search out and neutralise antigens
Mark antigens for elimination
What is the basic structure of antibodies and their isotypes?
Two identical light chains kappa, lambda
Two identical heavy chains mu, gamma, alpha, delta and epsilon
Hinge region though sometimes constant domain
What is an overview of the different types of antibodies?
IgM, IgG (g1, g2, g3, g4), IgA alpha1, alpha2), IgD, IgE resp
What is an overview of the size and structure of antibodies?
2 identical light chains and 2 identical heavy chains
~25,000 x2
~50,000 x2
total: ~150,000daltons/subunit
What joins the antibiotic chains together?
disulphide bonds join Light-Heavy, Heavy-Heavy number and position of S-S bonds varies also non-covalent interactions
What makes up the binding site of antibodies?
A group of amino acid residues in both the have and light variable domains
What is an overview of the constant domain?
Also known as the Fragment crystallisable
Constant domain of the heavy chain, determines the isotype therefore the different biological functions
What is an overview of immunoglobin domains?
“immunoglobulin fold”
b-pleated sheets alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acids 2 b sheets held together by S-S bond
Domains found in many proteins: immunoglobulin superfamily
What are cells that contain immunoglobulin domains?
Ig, TCR, MHC molecules (class I and II), B cell receptor, T cell accessary proteins (CD2, CD4, CD8, CD3), b2 microglobulin, adhesion molecules (VCAM-1), PDGF
How large is the complementary determing regions?
~110 amino acids NH3 terminal region of H or L chain varies greatly => V regions (variable) VL and VH
Most differences between antibodies are within complementary determining regions of the V regions (CDRs) = antigen binding site
What is the molecule type for immunoglobulins?
Glycoproteins - carbohydrate attachment in constant
region (prevent 2 heavy chains from nestling close to each
other – contributes to ability to bind complement proteins)
What is an overview of variable region?
Antigen binding site
Complementary Determining Regions CDRs
CDR1, 2, 3 of VH and VL domains
Complementary structures between CDR (Ab) and Ag
Conformational changes may be induced by Ag binding
More variation in heavy chain but both diverse
What is an overview of the constant region?
Biological functions determined by amino acid sequence
CH1 and CL extend Fab arms facilitating Ag interaction
What is an overview of the hinge region?
gamma, delta, alpha heavy chains
proline rich
flexible – Fab arms can assume various angles relative to
one another
IgE and IgM: 4th constant domain, no hinge region
What is the function of immunoglobulins?
Abs do not kill or remove pathogens just by binding to them must evoke responses
Constant heavy part responsible for interactions with other proteins and cells
What is an overview of antibodies helping with opsonisation?
IgG (1,3)
Promotion of phagocytosis by macrophages (mf) and neutrophils FcR (Fc receptors) bind C region of most IgG subclasses
Binding of FcR to Fc-Ag triggers phagocytosis
What is an overview of antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity?
Antibodies bound to target cells (virus infected) with Fc receptors of NK cells directs cytotoxic activity
apoptosis not phagocytosis
IgG antibodies
What is an overview of the activation of complements by antibodies?
IgM and IgG(3)
IgM and IgG activate series of serum glycoproteins
lysis of bacterial cell by perforation of membranes
What are overview of immune complexes by antibodies?
Precipitation (agglutination)
Neutralisation IgA, IgG - blocks toxin binding, bacteria attachment
What is an overview of antibodies for allergic reactions?
Mediation of allergic reactions IgE
Mast cell activation
What is an overview of maternal antibodies for baby protection?
Trancytosis IgA
Passive immunisation IgG (1,3,4)
What is an overview of IgG?
most abundant Ig in serum ~80%
4 sub classes - differ in hinge region and different biological activities
What is an overview of IgG subtypes?
IgG1,3,4 cross placenta
IgG3 best complement activator
IgG1,3 mediate opsonisation
What is an overview of IgM?
~5-10% serum Ig monomeric IgM is membrane bound on B cells
1st class of Ig produced in primary response
Activates complement mucosal secretion
What is an overview of IgM structure?
IgM secreted as pentamer - held together by S-S
additional Fc-linked polypeptide: J (joining) chain
What is an overview of IgA?
~10-15% serum Ig predominant Ig in secretions: breast milk, saliva, tears, mucous (MALT)
What is an overview of IgA structure?
monomer (serum), dimer (secreted) or trimer J chain and secretory component
Cross-link large antigens prevents attachment of pathogens to mucosal cells (neutralisation)
What is an overview of IgE?
Binds FcR on blood basophils and tissue mast cells
Cross-linkage of receptor-bound IgE by Ag (allergen)
=> degranulation
=> release of pharmacologically active mediators
What is a overview of IgE targets?
anti-parasitic response
mediates immediate hypersensitivity reactions hayfever, asthma, hives, anaphylactic shock
What is an overview of IgD?
~0.2% serum Ig
with IgM is major membrane bound Ig expressed by mature B cells
no biological effector function has been found
What are antigens?
Substance (typically protein/peptide, but some polysaccharides, lipids and glycolipids) with ability to combine specifically with final products of response
What recognise antigens?
Capable of being recognised by B cell receptor, or TCR when complexed with MHC (or CD1 in case of lipids)
What are immunogens?
Substance with ability to INDUCE humoral and/or cell-mediated response = immunogens