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Questions and Answers
What are epitopes?
What are epitopes?
Which of the following factors does NOT influence antigenicity?
Which of the following factors does NOT influence antigenicity?
What does an adjuvant do?
What does an adjuvant do?
Which type of molecule is typically NOT antigenic?
Which type of molecule is typically NOT antigenic?
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What is the consequence of excessive antigen dosage?
What is the consequence of excessive antigen dosage?
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Which of the following is true about haptens?
Which of the following is true about haptens?
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How many different epitopes are present on human albumin, at minimum?
How many different epitopes are present on human albumin, at minimum?
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Which routes of administration of antigens are known to induce a slower but stronger immune response?
Which routes of administration of antigens are known to induce a slower but stronger immune response?
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Which cells interact with MHC class I molecules?
Which cells interact with MHC class I molecules?
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What types of HLA are associated with class II MHC?
What types of HLA are associated with class II MHC?
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On which type of cells are MHC class I molecules found?
On which type of cells are MHC class I molecules found?
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Which of the following functions is associated with class II MHC molecules?
Which of the following functions is associated with class II MHC molecules?
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Why is the MHC significant in organ transplantation?
Why is the MHC significant in organ transplantation?
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Which HLA antigen is associated with ankylosing spondylitis?
Which HLA antigen is associated with ankylosing spondylitis?
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What can result from administering very high or very low doses of certain antigens?
What can result from administering very high or very low doses of certain antigens?
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Why are parental routes preferred over oral routes for antigen administration?
Why are parental routes preferred over oral routes for antigen administration?
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What is the role of an adjuvant in vaccination?
What is the role of an adjuvant in vaccination?
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What is required to stimulate a strong immune response when administering antigens?
What is required to stimulate a strong immune response when administering antigens?
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What transforms a hapten into an antigenic determinant?
What transforms a hapten into an antigenic determinant?
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Which of the following is not typically an example of a hapten?
Which of the following is not typically an example of a hapten?
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Which type of MHC molecule is found on all nucleated cells?
Which type of MHC molecule is found on all nucleated cells?
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What is the primary role of Class II MHC molecules?
What is the primary role of Class II MHC molecules?
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Which HLA gene is associated with ankylosing spondylitis?
Which HLA gene is associated with ankylosing spondylitis?
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Where are the genes that determine histocompatibility antigens located?
Where are the genes that determine histocompatibility antigens located?
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Which class of MHC molecules is involved in the production of complement components?
Which class of MHC molecules is involved in the production of complement components?
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Which MHC molecules complex with peptides and present antigens to CD8+ cytotoxic T cells?
Which MHC molecules complex with peptides and present antigens to CD8+ cytotoxic T cells?
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Which region on the short arm of chromosome 6 determines the antigenic specificity of Class II MHC molecules?
Which region on the short arm of chromosome 6 determines the antigenic specificity of Class II MHC molecules?
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Which of the following cells recognize antigens only when associated with Class II MHC molecules?
Which of the following cells recognize antigens only when associated with Class II MHC molecules?
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Which of the following terms is used to describe antibodies directed against an individual's own proteins?
Which of the following terms is used to describe antibodies directed against an individual's own proteins?
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What is an important characteristic of the innate immune system?
What is an important characteristic of the innate immune system?
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What is the role of heterophile antibodies in the Paul Bunnel Test?
What is the role of heterophile antibodies in the Paul Bunnel Test?
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Which molecule on the surface of most gram-negative bacteria is recognized by the innate immune system?
Which molecule on the surface of most gram-negative bacteria is recognized by the innate immune system?
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What is the main defense function of intact skin and respiratory tract?
What is the main defense function of intact skin and respiratory tract?
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In the context of the immune system, what is known as cross-reactivity?
In the context of the immune system, what is known as cross-reactivity?
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What role does the innate immune system play in the adaptive immune response?
What role does the innate immune system play in the adaptive immune response?
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Which of the following is an in-vivo example of cross-reactivity?
Which of the following is an in-vivo example of cross-reactivity?
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Study Notes
Antigens
- Antigens are foreign substances that can stimulate the immune system
- They can be proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, or nucleic acids
- Epitopes or antigenic determinants are specific small parts of the antigenic molecules that can stimulate the immune system
Epitopes or Antigenic Determinants
- The number of epitopes on a molecule varies with molecular size
- For example, human albumin has at least six different epitopes, which means that at least six different antibodies can be produced after immunization
Factors Influencing Antigenicity
- Foreignness: The immune system can distinguish between self and non-self, and only foreign substances can stimulate an immune response
- Molecular size: Small molecules are usually not immunogenic, while larger molecules can be antigenic
- Chemical nature: Proteins are the most potent antigens, while some polysaccharides of high molecular weight can be antigenic
- Methods of administration: The dosage, frequency, and route of administration of antigens can influence the immune response
Adjuvants
- Adjuvants are substances that can enhance the immune response when mixed with an antigen
- Examples of adjuvants include aluminum phosphate, alum precipitated, and diphtheria toxoid
Haptens
- Haptens are substances that are not immunogenic by themselves but can become immunogenic when coupled to a carrier molecule
- Examples of haptens include neomycin, skin ointments, and cosmetics
Types of Antigens
- Bacterial antigens
- Viral antigens
- Human tissue antigens (e.g., blood group antigens, histocompatibility antigens)
Human Tissue Antigens
- Blood group antigens: A and B antigens on red cells, important in blood transfusion reactions
- Histocompatibility antigens: Present on the membrane of tissue cells, also known as major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens or human leukocyte antigens (HLA)
Histocompatibility Antigens
- Definition: Molecules present on the membrane of tissue cells that can stimulate an immune response
- Types: Class I, II, and III MHC antigens
- Class I: Present on all nucleated cells
- Class II: Present on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells
- Class III: Involved in the production of complement components
MHC Significance
- Organ transplantation and rejection: MHC antigens play a crucial role in organ transplantation and rejection
- MHC restriction: Th cells recognize peptide antigens on the surface of APCs only when presented with MHC class II molecules, while Tc cells recognize antigens on the surface of virus-infected cells or tumor cells only when presented with MHC class I molecules
- Paternity testing and forensic medicine: MHC antigens can be used to determine paternity and in forensic investigations
- Disease association: Certain MHC antigens are associated with specific diseases, such as HLA-B27 with ankylosing spondylitis and HLA-DR4 with rheumatoid arthritis
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Description
Learn about antigens, their composition, and epitopes, the specific parts of antigens that stimulate the immune system.
