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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the humoral immune response?
What is the primary function of the humoral immune response?
What triggers the first signal needed for naïve B cell activation?
What triggers the first signal needed for naïve B cell activation?
During clonal selection, what happens to B lymphocytes that carry receptors for self molecules?
During clonal selection, what happens to B lymphocytes that carry receptors for self molecules?
Which immunoglobulin receptors do naive B cells commonly express?
Which immunoglobulin receptors do naive B cells commonly express?
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What is the role of activated helper T cells in B cell activation?
What is the role of activated helper T cells in B cell activation?
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What is a result of clonal selection in B lymphocytes?
What is a result of clonal selection in B lymphocytes?
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Which type of pathogens does the humoral immune response specifically target?
Which type of pathogens does the humoral immune response specifically target?
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What is the primary outcome after a B cell has been fully activated?
What is the primary outcome after a B cell has been fully activated?
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What is the first step in B cell activation by helper T cells?
What is the first step in B cell activation by helper T cells?
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What cytokines do activated helper T cells produce to stimulate B cells?
What cytokines do activated helper T cells produce to stimulate B cells?
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Which antibody is initially secreted by activated B cells?
Which antibody is initially secreted by activated B cells?
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What distinguishes thymus-independent antigens from thymus-dependent antigens?
What distinguishes thymus-independent antigens from thymus-dependent antigens?
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What is a significant feature of the response generated by thymus-independent antigens?
What is a significant feature of the response generated by thymus-independent antigens?
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Which factor is critical for the activation of naïve T cells by B cells?
Which factor is critical for the activation of naïve T cells by B cells?
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What is the main role of memory B cells formed after B cell activation?
What is the main role of memory B cells formed after B cell activation?
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What is the nature of the antigens that typically activate B cells without T cell assistance?
What is the nature of the antigens that typically activate B cells without T cell assistance?
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What type of antigen requires T cell help for B cell activation?
What type of antigen requires T cell help for B cell activation?
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Which type of B cell response is absent in Thymus-Independent Antigens?
Which type of B cell response is absent in Thymus-Independent Antigens?
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What is the main immunoglobulin produced in response to Thymus-Independent Antigens?
What is the main immunoglobulin produced in response to Thymus-Independent Antigens?
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What interaction is essential for immunoglobulin class switching?
What interaction is essential for immunoglobulin class switching?
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Which cytokine is known to enhance IgE production during class switching?
Which cytokine is known to enhance IgE production during class switching?
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What occurs during the primary immune response when encountering an antigen for the first time?
What occurs during the primary immune response when encountering an antigen for the first time?
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After T cell activation, which immunoglobulin class is typically produced in high levels?
After T cell activation, which immunoglobulin class is typically produced in high levels?
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What type of antigen typically consists of large non-peptide polymers with repeated epitopes?
What type of antigen typically consists of large non-peptide polymers with repeated epitopes?
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What is the main antibody produced during the primary immune response?
What is the main antibody produced during the primary immune response?
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How long does it typically take for antibodies to become detectable in the secondary immune response?
How long does it typically take for antibodies to become detectable in the secondary immune response?
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What is the primary antibody produced during the secondary immune response?
What is the primary antibody produced during the secondary immune response?
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What type of B cell responds during the secondary immune response?
What type of B cell responds during the secondary immune response?
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What is the duration of antibody presence in the primary immune response?
What is the duration of antibody presence in the primary immune response?
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Which antibody is predominantly produced when antigens enter the body via mucosal routes?
Which antibody is predominantly produced when antigens enter the body via mucosal routes?
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How does the antibody concentration in the secondary immune response compare to the primary response?
How does the antibody concentration in the secondary immune response compare to the primary response?
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Which immunogens typically induce the primary immune response?
Which immunogens typically induce the primary immune response?
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Study Notes
Humoral Immune Response
- The humoral immune response targets extracellular pathogens like bacteria and prevents the spread of intracellular pathogens.
- Antibodies produced by B lymphocytes are the key players in this response, reacting specifically to antigens that triggered their production.
Clonal Selection
- During embryonic development, a vast pool of B lymphocytes forms.
- Each naïve B lymphocyte carries a unique receptor (BCR) capable of recognizing and binding to a specific antigen.
- When an antigen enters the body, it selects the B lymphocyte with the matching receptor, binding to it and prompting proliferation.
- This leads to the creation of a clone (family) of B cells, specifically targeting that antigen.
- These selected B cells differentiate into plasma cells and secrete antibodies specific to the antigen.
- B lymphocytes that recognize self-molecules are eliminated at an early stage, preventing autoimmune reactions.
Steps of Naïve B Cell Activation
- Mature, naïve antigen-specific B cells migrate from bone marrow to peripheral lymphoid tissues like lymph nodes, where they encounter their specific antigens.
- Antigen binding to the B cell receptor (IgM and IgD) triggers the first activation signal.
- The second signal, known as the co-stimulatory signal, is provided by activated helper T cells (mainly Th2).
- To receive the second signal, the B cell engulfs the bound antigen, processes it, and presents it on its surface associated with class II MHC molecules.
- This peptide-MHC complex is recognized by antigen-specific helper T cells, leading to the release of:
- CD40L, which binds to CD40 on the B cell.
- Cytokines like IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10, stimulating the B cell.
- Following receipt of both signals, the B cell undergoes activation, proliferates, and differentiates into effector plasma cells secreting antigen-specific antibodies.
- Initially, IgM is secreted, but the cell can switch to producing other antibody isotypes with the same antigen specificity.
- Some activated B lymphocytes become memory cells, providing a rapid response upon re-exposure to the antigen.
Thymus-Dependent and Thymus-Independent Antigens
- Thymus-Dependent (TD) Antigens:
- Require T cell help for B cell activation.
- Typically proteins, such as bacterial toxins.
- Can induce antibody class switching to IgG, IgA, and IgE.
- Generate strong memory B cell responses.
- Thymus-Independent (TI) Antigens: - Activate B cells directly without T cell cooperation. - Typically large polymers with repeating epitopes, like capsular polysaccharides. - Result in only IgM production and no class switching. - Do not generate memory B cell responses.
Immunoglobulin Class Switching (Isotype Switching)
- During an immune response, plasma cells switch from producing IgM to other immunoglobulin classes like IgG, IgA, or IgE.
- This switching involves DNA rearrangement and RNA splicing, altering the constant domains of the heavy chain (CH) without affecting the antigen specificity.
- Switching requires interaction between CD40 on B cells and CD40L on T cells.
- Cytokines released by T cells determine the antibody isotype produced.
Primary and Secondary Antibody Response
-
Primary Immune Response:
- Occurs during the initial encounter with an antigen.
- Has a lag of approximately 7-10 days for antibody production.
- Mainly produces IgM, which peaks in 1-2 weeks and rapidly declines.
-
Secondary Immune Response:
- Triggered by re-exposure to the same antigen.
- Rapid response due to memory cells generated during the primary response.
- Primarily produces IgG, with higher concentrations and longer persistence.
- Exhibits higher antibody affinity and a stronger response.
- Can be boosted by further antigen exposure.
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Description
Test your understanding of the humoral immune response, focusing on the role of B lymphocytes and antibodies. This quiz covers the concepts of clonal selection and activation of naïve B cells and their crucial function in targeting pathogens. Prepare to explore the intricate mechanisms of immune defense!