Lecture 15 Antigen Recognition
Lecture 15 Antigen Recognition
Overview In order to initiate an immune response antigen must be recognized. Antigen recognition depends on detection of antigen by special receptors. Antigen recognition depends on cellular cooperation. Cellular cooperation is controlled by recognition of MHC-encoded receptors
Overview ◼ In order to initiate an immune response antigen must be recognized. ◼ Antigen recognition depends on detection of antigen by special receptors. ◼ Antigen recognition depends on cellular cooperation. ◼ Cellular cooperation is controlled by recognition of MHC-encoded receptors
Clonal Selection Theory (F.Macfarlane Burnet) 0 pre-existence of of many different potential antibody producing cells each cell displays surface receptors for specific antigens antigen encounter selects cells What prevents recognition/destruction of self tissues?
Clonal Selection Theory (F. Macfarlane Burnet) ◼ pre-existence of of many different potential antibody producing cells ◼ each cell displays surface receptors for specific antigens ◼ antigen encounter selects cells ◼ What prevents recognition/destruction of self tissues?
Postulates of the Clonal Selection Hypothesis Each lymphocyte bears a single type of receptor of a unique specificity Interaction between a foreign molecule and a lymphocyte receptor capable of binding that molecule with high affinity leads to lymphocyte activation The differentiated efector cells derived from an activated lymphocyte will bear receptors of identical specificity to those of the parental cell from which that lymphocyte was derived Lymphocytes bearing receptors specific for self molecules are deleted at an early stage in lymphocyte development and are therefore absent from the repertoire
Postulates of the Clonal Selection Hypothesis ◼ Each lymphocyte bears a single type of receptor of a unique specificity ◼ Interaction between a foreign molecule and a lymphocyte receptor capable of binding that molecule with high affinity leads to lymphocyte activation ◼ The differentiated effector cells derived from an activated lymphocyte will bear receptors of identical specificity to those of the parental cell from which that lymphocyte was derived ◼ Lymphocytes bearing receptors specific for self molecules are deleted at an early stage in lymphocyte development and are therefore absent from the repertoire
Diversity of Lymphocyte Antigen Receptors Variable region of antigen receptor encoded by sets of gene segments During lymphocyte development somatic gene rearrangement create unique combinations of gene segments Once recombinant events have occurred,further rearrangement is prohibited Receptor specificity of a lymphocyte cannot change Each lymphocyte bears many copies of the unique receptor At least 108 different lymphocytes in an individual
Diversity of Lymphocyte Antigen Receptors ◼ Variable region of antigen receptor encoded by sets of gene segments ◼ During lymphocyte development somatic gene rearrangement create unique combinations of gene segments ◼ Once recombinant events have occurred, further rearrangement is prohibited ◼ Receptor specificity of a lymphocyte cannot change ◼ Each lymphocyte bears many copies of the unique receptor ◼ At least 108 different lymphocytes in an individual