Antigen recognition and the effect of T cells - Hudig Flashcards
List the 6 types of T cells.
There are 4 types of Helper T cells. 1. TFH - these are follicular T helper cells located in follicles. 2. TH1 3. TH2 4. TH17 The other 2 types of T cells are: 5. Treg - regulatory T cells 6. CTL - these are CD8 cytotoxic T cells
What are the key surface markers on the different types of T cells?
All T cells have CD3 on their surface.
- T helper cells have CD4
- Treg cells have CD25 and CD4
- CTL T cells have CD8
What are the major functions of the different types of T cells?
- TFH - produce growth factors for B and T cells, B cell isotype switching, provide help for B cell antibody production
- TH1 - increase CTL activity, activate infected macrophages, provide help for B-cell antibody production
- TH2 - increase antibody production and mediate Bcell switch to IgE production
- TH17 - attract neutrophils
- Treg - regulate proliferation of normal T and B cell responses
- CTL - kill virus infected and stressed cells
Where are TFH cells and B cells located?
In lymphoid follicles in the spleen, lymph nodes and peyer’s patches. B cells are also located in tonsils and the appendix.
Describe TFH activation.
- An APC displays an antigen in MHCII that a TFH recognizes.
- The interaction with the APC allows the specific TFH to divide.
- The clones secrete IL-2 which is a growth factor for all T and B cells.
- Many antigen specific effector T cells are produced as well as T memory cells.
What is critical to the development of AIDS?
lack of CD4 T helper cells.
What major cytokines do the T helper cells produce?
- TFH - gIFN, IL-2,IL-4, IL-5
- TH1 - gIFN
- TH2 - IL-4
- TH17 - IL-17
Do TH1 cells secrete IL-4?
No, they secrete gIFN
Do TH2 cells secrete gIFN?
No, they secrete IL-4
Describe how TH1 and TH2 cells can polarize immune responses.
TH1 cells secrete gIFN and IL-2 which leads to increased CTL activity (drives cellular immune responses). CTL’s kill virus infected and stressed cells. TH2 cells secrete IL-4, IL-5 and IL-2. This leads to production of antibodies by B cells (drives humoral immune responses). So a TH1 driven response is more effective against virus but leaves the host more susceptible to other infections. A TH2 driven response results in lots of antibodies but leads to more susceptibility to virus.
What is the signature cytokine for TH1 cells?
gIFN
What is the signature cytokine for TH2 cells?
IL-4
What is the signature cytokine for TH17 cells?
IL-17
What affect does gIFN have on B cells?
It causes slow proliferation and supports B cell switch to IgG antibody production.
What does IL-4 cause?
Interleukin 4 is produced by macrophages and Th2 cells. It stimulates the development of Th2 cells from naïve Th cells and it promotes the growth of differentiated Th2 cells resulting in the production of an antibody response. It also stimulates Ig class switching to the IgE isotype.
What does IL-12 do and what cell types secrete it?
Dendritic cells and macrophages secrete IL-12 which directs a naive T helper cell differentiate into a TH1 cell.
What other type of cell secretes IL-4?
Mast cells can secrete Il-4 after they interact with anaphylatoxins from complement. This leads to naive T helper cells differentiating into TH2 cells.
Name a function of TH1 cells that a TH2 dominant response would be ineffective against.
TH1 cells control intracellular mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacteria causes TB and antibodies are ineffective against it because it is intracellular.
What effect do memory TH1 cells have on macrophages?
CD4 TH1 cells secrete gIFN which allows the macrophage to make nitric oxide synthetase. This leads to the killing of bacteria inside the macrophage.
What is one mechanism by which CD8 CTL cells kill intracellular bacteria?
They contain an enzyme called perforin that makes a pore in the infected cells membrane. This allows an enzyme called granulysin to get in and kill the bacteria.
What cell type mediates delayed type hypersensitivity?
TH1 cells - this is our defense against bacteria that live inside macrophages.
Give examples of intracellular bacteria.
mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. leprae, listeria, salmonella, erlichia etc.
Can infected macrophages kill the bacteria inside them by themselves?
No, they need cytokine signaling from antigen specific TH1 cells.
How do delayed type hypersensitivity memory T cells develop?
Via antigen-specific proliferation - which requires primary exposure.
What is delayed type hypersensitivity?
It is a type IV hypersensitivity reaction. It can occur when a person was previously exposed to an antigen and makes memory T cells to that antigen. For example, If a person has had TB vaccine and is then tested for immune response against TB bacteria. The antigen is injected subcutaneously, memory TH1 cells made during the primary response are activated when macrophages display TB peptide. This takes time (24-48 hours). Inflammation is triggered and the site of the antigen injection becomes red and edematous.
What is the effect of high IL-4 on B-cells?
It drives them to switch to IgE production. IgE arms mast cells against helminths (worms).
What cytokines are critical for control of helminths?
IL-3, IL-9, These 2 cytokines released by TH2 drive mast cell recruitment.
What do mast cells produce?
Mediators such as histamine, TNF-a, and MMCP (a mast cell protease). These recruit inflammatory cells and remodel the mucosa.
What does TNF-a do?
Tumor necrosis factor alpha is produced by activated macrophages is response to microbes, especially the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Gram negative bacteria. It is an important mediator of acute inflammation. It mediates the recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages to sites of infection by stimulating endothelial cells to produce adhesion molecules and by producing chemokines which are chemotactic cytokines. TNF- α also acts on the hypothalamus to produce fever and it promotes the production of acute phase proteins.