BCR and Signal Transduction
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following protein motifs, present on Iga and IgB, is essential for the interaction with intracellular signaling proteins during BCR activation?

  • Immunoreceptor Tyrosine-based Activation Motif (ITAM) (correct)
  • Leucine Zipper Motif
  • Immunoglobulin Domain (IgD)
  • Nuclear Localization Signal (NLS)

What is the immediate consequence of antigen receptor clustering in B cells, which leads to the activation of intracellular signaling pathways?

  • Recruitment of proteases to cleave the BCR.
  • Direct activation of gene expression in the nucleus.
  • Phosphorylation of ITAMs by receptor-associated kinases. (correct)
  • Internalization of the antigen-BCR complex for degradation.

How do thymus-independent (TI) antigens, specifically TI-1 antigens, activate B cells in the absence of T cell help?

  • By signaling through receptors of the innate immunity system. (correct)
  • Through very strong signaling via the B cell receptor alone.
  • By directly inducing MHC class II expression on B cells.
  • By bypassing the need for B cell receptor engagement.

Which of the following events is essential for the successful activation of B cells by thymus-dependent antigens?

<p>Presentation of processed antigen by MHC II to Tfh cells. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is studying B cell activation and observes that B cells can bind antigen and internalize it, but fail to effectively activate. Which of the following is most likely to be deficient?

<p>MHC class II processing and presentation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During Tfh cell interaction with a B cell, what is the primary role of CD40 ligand secreted by the Tfh cell?

<p>To deliver co-stimulatory signals that promote B cell activation and survival. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is talin required for stable cell adhesion between Tfh and B cells?

<p>Talin strengthens the binding of LFA-1 on the Tfh cell to ICAM on the B cell. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Following the formation of a stable B-T cell cognate pair, where do these cells migrate, and what is the significance of this location?

<p>To the medullary cords of lymph nodes for antibody secretion. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During B cell activation in the germinal center, Tfh cells interact with B cells via CD40L and CD40. What is the PRIMARY downstream effect of this interaction?

<p>Induction of AID expression, leading to somatic hypermutation and class switching. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) play a critical role in B cell maturation within germinal centers. What PRIMARY mechanism do FDCs use to trap and present antigens to B cells?

<p>Binding of intact antigens and pathogens via complement receptors. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Centrocytes in the germinal center can differentiate into either memory B cells or plasma cells. What is the KEY cytokine driving differentiation into memory B cells?

<p>IL-4 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Isotype switching in B cells is influenced by various cytokines. Which cytokine is PRIMARILY responsible for inducing a switch to IgE and IgG1 antibody production?

<p>IL-4 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

FcRn is an important receptor involved in antibody transport. What is the PRIMARY function of FcRn?

<p>Transporting IgG from the bloodstream into extracellular spaces. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Dimeric IgA is transported across epithelial cells via transcytosis, providing crucial immune protection at mucosal surfaces. Which receptor mediates this transcytosis?

<p>Poly-Ig receptor (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Passive immunity is transferred from mother to child through antibodies. Which antibody isotype is PRIMARILY transferred to the developing fetus via the placenta?

<p>IgG (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Breast milk provides passive immunity to newborns. Which antibody isotype is PRIMARILY transferred through breast milk?

<p>Dimeric IgA (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Neutralizing antibodies are crucial for preventing viral infections. What is the PRIMARY mechanism by which neutralizing antibodies protect against viral infection?

<p>Blocking the virus from entering host cells. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The B cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway activates several downstream molecules. What is the IMMEDIATE function of PLC-γ in BCR signal transduction?

<p>Hydrolysis of PIP2 into DAG and IP3 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

BCR-associated proteins for signaling

Iga and IgB proteins, which have long cytoplasmic tails containing ITAMs, associate with the BCR and are required for signal transduction.

Role of ITAMs in BCR signaling

ITAMs (Immunoreceptor Tyrosine-based Activation Motifs) get phosphorylated by kinases upon antigen receptor clustering, leading to Syk binding and activation, ultimately changing gene expression.

Thymus Independent (TI) Antigens

These antigens don't need T cells to activate B cells, activating signals come from receptors of the innate immunity system. An example is LPS of gram-negative bacteria

Thymus Dependent Antigens

B cells need T cell help as well as antigen binding to activate.

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Steps of Thymus Dependent Activation

  1. BCR binds antigen, 2. Endocytosis of BCR-antigen complex, 3. Antigen processing into smaller pieces, 4. Presentation of antigen pieces via MHC II on B cell surface.
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Tfh cell role in B cell activation

Tfh cells activate B cells through cell-cell interactions, delivering IL-4 and other cytokines to the B cell.

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CD40 ligand and IL-4 in B cell activation

CD40 ligand (on Tfh) binds to CD40 (on B cell), and IL-4 (from Tfh) provides signals for B-cell activation and class switching.

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Role of Talin

It is required for stable cell adhesion between Tfh and B cells.

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Medullary Cord B Cell Differentiation

B-T cell pairs proliferate in medullary cords. Some B cells become plasma cells, mainly producing IgM antibodies upon IL-5 and IL-6 exposure.

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Germinal Center Formation

B-T cell pairs migrate to primary follicles and proliferate, forming the germinal center.

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Activation-Induced Cytidine Deaminase (AID)

AID is an enzyme that removes an amine group from cytidine, leading to somatic hypermutation and class switching.

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Follicular Dendritic Cell Function

Follicular dendritic cells use complement receptors to bind and preserve intact pathogens/antigens for presentation to B cells.

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Memory B Cell Differentiation

IL-4 induces centrocytes to mature into memory B cells, providing long-term immunity.

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Plasma Cell Differentiation

IL-10 induces centrocytes to differentiate into plasma cells, producing antibodies to fight the current infection.

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IL-4 and Isotype Switching

IL-4 induces isotype switching to IgG1 and IgE.

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FcRn Function

FcRn transports IgG from bloodstream into extracellular spaces.

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IgA Transcytosis

Dimeric IgA is transported across epithelia via transcytosis, mediated by the Poly-Ig receptor.

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Antibody Transfer

IgG is transferred to the fetus, and dimeric IgA is transferred in breast milk.

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Study Notes

BCR and Signal Transduction

  • B cell receptors (BCRs) associate with Igα and Igβ proteins, crucial for signal transduction.
  • Igα and Igβ have Immunoreceptor Tyrosine-based Activation Motifs (ITAMs) in their long cytoplasmic tails.
  • ITAMs interact with intracellular signaling proteins.
  • Clustering of antigen receptors enables receptor-associated kinases to phosphorylate ITAMs.
  • Syk binds to doubly phosphorylated ITAMs and is activated upon binding.
  • These changes ultimately affect gene expression in the nucleus.

ITAMs In BCR Signal Transduction

  • ITAMs are phosphorylated by receptor-associated kinases after antigen receptor clustering.
  • Phosphorylated ITAMs serve as binding sites for signaling molecules like Syk.
  • Syk activation leads to downstream signaling cascades affecting gene expression.

B Cell Activating Antigens

  • Two types of B cell-activating antigens exist: thymus-independent and thymus-dependent.
  • Thymus-independent antigens (TI-1 and TI-2) activate B cells without T cell help, while thymus-dependent antigens require it.
  • TI-1 antigens activate B cells via innate immunity receptors; LPS of gram-negative bacteria is a classical example.
  • Successful B-cell activation requires a strong signal or two distinct signals.

Thymus-Dependent Antigen Activation of B Cells

  • BCR binds to its cognate antigen which is then internalized through endocytosis.
  • The antigen is processed into smaller pieces.
  • These peptide fragments are presented on the B cell surface via MHC II molecules.

CD40, IL-4, and Talin in B Cell Activation

  • Tfh cells interact with B cells, delivering IL-4 and other cytokines through cell-cell contact.
  • Strong cell-cell adhesion between Tfh (LFA-1) and B cells (ICAM) is essential.
  • Tfh cells secrete CD40 ligand, which binds to CD40 on B cells, providing a crucial activation signal.
  • Talin is required for stable cell adhesion between the Tfh and B cell.
  • The Tfh cell reorients and directs its secretory apparatus towards the B cell, secreting cytokines into the space between the cells.

B-T Cell Cognate Pairs migrating to Medullary Cords

  • The primary focus for expansion of antigen-activated B cells is in the medullary cords.
  • B-T cell cognate pairs migrate here, proliferate, and some differentiate into plasma cells.
  • Plasma cells in the medullary cords mainly produce IgM antibodies upon IL-5 and IL-6 exposure.

B-T Cell Cognate Pairs Migrating to Primary Follicles

  • Some B-T cognate pairs move from medullary cords to primary follicles, forming germinal centers.
  • Follicular dendritic cells secrete IL-6, IL-5, 8D6, and BAFF, stimulating rapid B cell division into centroblasts.
  • Tfh cells divide, produce cytokines, and interact with B cells via CD40L, inducing AID production.
  • In the medullary area, B cells produce mostly IgM antibodies.
  • In the germinal center, somatic hypermutation and class switching occur, leading to diverse antibody isotypes.

Somatic Hypermutation

  • Involves rapid mutations in the immunoglobulin genes of B cells within the germinal center.
  • It is an activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) enzyme that removes the amine group from the cytidine base in DNA.
  • This process refines the affinity of the antibody for its antigen.

Function of AID

  • AID is essential for somatic hypermutation and isotype switching.
  • It deaminates cytidine to uridine in DNA, leading to mutations in the variable regions of immunoglobulin genes and enabling class switching.

Follicular Dendritic Cell Functions

  • Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) use complement receptors to bind and preserve intact antigens and pathogens for extended periods.
  • FDCs present these antigens to B cells, facilitating B cell activation and selection.
  • Complement activation leads to C3b fragments being cleaved into C3d fragments.
  • CR1 and CR2 receptors on FDCs bind these fragments, retaining virus particles on the cell surface.

Centrocytes Differentiating into Memory or Plasma Cells

  • Memory cells: Antigen-selected centrocytes, influenced by IL-4 secreting helper T cells, differentiate into memory B cells that provide long-term immunity.
  • Plasma cells: Antigen-selected centrocytes, influenced by IL-10 secreting helper T cells, differentiate into plasma cells to combat the current infection.

Isotype Switching

  • Cytokines determine the specific antibody isotype a B cell will switch to.
  • For example, IL-4 induces switching to IgG1 and IgE isotypes.

FcRn Function

  • FcRn transports IgG from the bloodstream into extracellular spaces, enhancing humoral immunity.

Transcytosis

  • Transcytosis of dimeric IgA across epithelia is mediated by the poly-Ig receptor.
  • IgA binds to the receptor on the basolateral surface of epithelial cells, followed by receptor-mediated endocytosis.
  • IgA is transported to the apical face of the cell.
  • The receptor is cleaved, and IgA is bound to mucus through the secretory piece, providing immune protection on mucosal surfaces.

Antibody Transfer

  • Breast milk also provides dimeric IgA to the nursing infant.
  • IgG antibodies are transferred from the mother to the fetus during development.

Benefits of Breastfeeding

  • It is important to breast feed the baby for its optimal health so they acquire IgA from the mother promoting optimal health.

Neutralizing Antibodies

  • Neutralizing antibodies prevent pathogens from infecting cells.
  • For example, anti-influenza virus IgA antibodies can neutralize the virus, preventing infection.

Antibody Suppression of Infections

  • Antibodies suppress infections through:
    • Opsonization: enhancing phagocytosis,
    • Complement activation: leading to pathogen lysis,
    • Neutralization: preventing pathogen entry into cells.

IgM Initiates Complement Activation

  • IgM initiates the classical pathway of complement by binding to antigens on the surfaces of pathogens.

Importance of Second Infections or Infections After a Vaccine

  • A second infection or infection after a vaccine leads to a quicker, more robust response due to immunological memory.

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B cell receptors (BCRs) associate with Igα and Igβ proteins, which are crucial for signal transduction. ITAMs are phosphorylated by receptor-associated kinases after antigen receptor clustering. These changes affect gene expression in the nucleus.

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