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Understanding Adaptive Immunity Basics

The adaptive immune system is specific and adaptive. It recognizes antigens through antibodies produced by B lymphocytes and antigen presentation by MHC molecules. There are two types of adaptive immunity: humoral immunity which involves B cell-produced antibodies, and cell-mediated immunity which involves T cells destroying infected cells. Disorders of the adaptive immune system include immunodeficiencies like HIV/AIDS which weakens immunity, and hypersensitivities like allergies which trigger inflammatory responses.

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158 views1 page

Understanding Adaptive Immunity Basics

The adaptive immune system is specific and adaptive. It recognizes antigens through antibodies produced by B lymphocytes and antigen presentation by MHC molecules. There are two types of adaptive immunity: humoral immunity which involves B cell-produced antibodies, and cell-mediated immunity which involves T cells destroying infected cells. Disorders of the adaptive immune system include immunodeficiencies like HIV/AIDS which weakens immunity, and hypersensitivities like allergies which trigger inflammatory responses.

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Topic 6.

3: ADAPTIvE ImmunITy
Adaptive Immunity

The adaptive immune responses share two key characteristics:


•  They are specific (i.e. they can differentiate between different types of pathogens and respond accordingly)
•  They are adaptive (i.e. they produce a heightened response upon re-exposure – there is immunological memory)

Antigen Recognition Antibodies

Antigens are substances that the body recognise as foreign Antibodies are proteins produced by B lymphocytes that are
and that can elicit an immune response specific to a given antigen (they are also called immunoglobulins)

Antigens are presented to lymphocytes via identification


Variable region
markers on the surface of native cells (MHC molecules) (binds to the antigen)
•  MHC I markers are found on all body cells (except RBCs)
and present endogenous antigens (cell-mediated response) Heavy chain (×2)
Light chain Constant region
•  MHC II markers are on innate immune cells (macrophages) (site for opsonisation)
(×2)
and present exogenous antigens (humoral response)

Role of Lymphocytes

Humoral Immunity (targets ‘non-self ’) Cell Mediated Immunity (targets ‘self ’)


•  B cells each produce one specific type of antibody •  Infected cells present antigens on their MHC I markers
•  Macrophages or dendritic cells present antigen fragments •  Antigens are recognised by cytotoxic T cells (and TH cells)
(via MHC II markers) to helper T lymphocytes (TH cells) •  Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (TC cells) bind to the infected
•  TH cells release cytokines and activate the antigen-specific cell and trigger its destruction (via perforating enzymes)
B cells (which rapidly divide to form many plasma cells) •  TH cells stimulate the formation of memory TC cells
•  The plasma cells make antibodies specific to the antigen •  TC cells can target virus-infected cells and tumor cells
•  A small proportion of B cell clones differentiate into •  Suppressor T cells regulate the action of TC cells in order
long-lasting memory B cells (for long-term immunity) to prevent sustained T cell activation (i.e. autoreactivity)

B Cell

Pathogen Virus
Macrophage + TH Cell Infected cell + TC cell Lysed cell
antibodies

Immune System Disorders

Immunodeficiency Hypersensitivity
•  HIV is a retrovirus that infects helper T cells (TH cells) •  Allergens are substances that trigger an immune response
•  It is usually transmitted via the exchange of bodily fluids despite not being inherently harmful (e.g. peanut allergy)
(e.g. sex, breastfeeding, transfusions, injections, etc.) •  When a B cell is activated by an allergen, it makes large
•  HIV is integrated into the genome of infected TH cells quantities of allergen-specific antibodies (IgE)
•  After a prolonged period of inactivity, it becomes active •  These IgE antibodies bind to mast cells and ‘prime’ them
and lyses the TH cell as it begins to spread •  Upon re-exposure to the allergen, the sensitised mast cells
•  This results in an inability to produce antibodies and a release large quantities of histamine (causes inflammation)
general loss of immunity (disease is called AIDS) •  This inflammatory response is called an allergic reaction

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