Prelim 2 Flashcards
(223 cards)
What does the adaptive immune system recognize in a virus like SARS-CoV-2?
The adaptive immune system recognizes an antigen. The S protein (spike) is a large antigen. It has MANY epitopes.
RBD
Receptor binding domain. This is the part of a protein/virus that helps it bind to host receptors
Epitope
Part of an antigen that an antibody binds
What cells make up the adaptive immune system?
The B cells and T cells which have antigen receptors
- antibodies are a secreted form of a B cell receptor
Antigen Receptors
- Receptor that binds to an antigen
- only 3 types: B cell receptors, antibodies, and T cell receptors. All used by the adaptive arm.
B Cell Arm
- One B cell expresses thousands of identical B cell receptors (Every BCR on that B cell is specific for the same antigen)
- Therefore, one B cell recognizes and responds to only one antigen. This B cell is binding a multivalent (repeating) antigen on the bacterium
- When B cells become plasma cells, they can secrete antibodies
B cell receptor
Expressed on the cell surface of a B cell. Part of a signaling receptor that instructs the cell.
Antibody
The only secreted antigen receptor, it is a form of immunoglobulin that is secreted by plasma cells and plasmablasts
*same rule of specificity applies to anitbodies
T Cell Arm
- One T cell expresses thousands of identical T cell receptors (TCRs) . Every TCR in that T cell is specific for the same antigen. A peptide is held by a specific MHC molecule on a host cell
- Therefore, one T cell recognizes and responds to one antigen.
- There is NO secreted form of a TCR
Which receptors are the immunoglobulins?
- BCR
- Antibodies
Antigen
- A molecule that is bound by an antigen receptor
- Can be from a threat or a non-threat
- Can be from the host (self) or non-self, pretty much any organic molecule
Immunogen
An antigen that induces an immune response
Draw the functional regions of the antigen receptors
- Surface immunoglobulin or B-cell receptor: antigen-binding site, light chain, heavy chain, transmembrane region
- Antibody: heavy chain, light chain, antigen binding site
- TCR: alpha chain and beta chain, antigen-binding site
- the variable regions are the antigen binding sites
Immunoglobulin structure
- The Fab portion (Top) is the amino terminus that binds the antigen
- The Fc portion (Bottom) is the carboxyl terminus. It is practically constant. It does not bind antigen, the Fc portion of Ab interacts with immune cell receptors and often, complement
- Fc portion can also be labeled with fluorophores & enzymes for experimental reagents
What do constant Fc regions do?
They give functions to antibodies (isotypes). For instance all IgM antibodies have the same Fc portion, but it is longer than the IgD Fc portion making them different.
Name the different isotypes
- IgM
- IgD
- IgE
- IgG
- IgA
IgM
- Made 1st to fix complement and form immune complexes. Very inflammatory
IgD
- At mucosal barriers, not understood
IgG
- Best all-round player: with 4 sub-isotypes. Most are inflammatory
- Useful tools in experiments and medicine
IgE
- For expelling large parasites and many allergy symptoms
IgA
- Dimeric form protects without inflammation
- Monomeric form is inflammatory, like IgG
Immunoglobulin Isotype
The ‘class; is defined by the heavy chains Fc constant region. The region interacts with the immune system to give the Ab different function. It is specifically encoded by the heavy chain C-region gene segments
* name the c regions
What antibody does the body start producing first and how does it switch?
- It starts by creating IgM and IgD. Through recombination of genes and switching, it can create IgG, IgE, and IgA
How is IgM secreted?
IgM is always secreted as a pentamer (5 identical Ab with 10 identical anitgen-binding sites). This increases avidity for an antigen.