Immune System and Antigen Receptors

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Questions and Answers

What is the main goal of having a large repertoire of antigen receptors?

To prevent pathogens from evading immune detection (correct)

To avoid autoimmune diseases

To reduce the immune system's response to harmless substances

To increase the immune system's response to all pathogens

What is the consequence of having 'holes in the repertoire' of antigen receptors?

The immune system becomes overactive

The immune system produces more antibodies

Pathogens can evade immune detection (correct)

The immune system becomes less specific

Why is it necessary for the immune system to have a large repertoire of antigen receptors?

To recognize all types of pathogens (correct)

To reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases

To mount an immune response to all substances

To avoid an overactive immune response

What would be the outcome if the immune system has 'holes in the repertoire' of antigen receptors?

Pathogens could exploit these gaps to evade immune detection Signup and view all the answers

What are the two contradictory requirements of the immune system regarding the repertoire of antigen receptors?

To be as large as possible and to avoid 'holes in the repertoire' Signup and view all the answers

What can occur as a result of a disturbance in the BCR and TCR system?

Pathogenic or lethal consequences Signup and view all the answers

What can happen if BCR and TCR do not function properly?

Infections or unwanted reactions with autoantigens can occur Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of an imbalance in the BCR and TCR system?

Allergic reactions to harmless external antigens Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of a disturbance in the balance of BCR and TCR?

Pathogenic or lethal consequences can occur Signup and view all the answers

What can happen if the BCR and TCR system is not functioning properly?

Infections can occur Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs)?

To express proteins that are otherwise strictly tissue restricted Signup and view all the answers

Where are the medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) primarily located?

In the thymus Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of mTECs expressing proteins that are otherwise strictly tissue restricted?

It allows for the development of immune tolerance Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of mTECs expressing proteins that are otherwise strictly tissue restricted?

The immune system becomes tolerant of the body's own cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of the thymus in the immune system?

To develop immune tolerance Signup and view all the answers

Why does the receptor repertoire need to have high diversity?

To ensure the immune system attacks the pathogen Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of a receptor repertoire with low diversity?

The immune system will be less effective against pathogens Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the immune system in relation to the organism that harbors it?

To protect the organism that harbors it Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of shaping the receptor repertoire?

To prevent the immune system from attacking the organism Signup and view all the answers

What would happen if the immune system attacks the organism that harbors it?

The organism would be harmed or damaged Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of MTECs in the immune system?

To express diverse antigens from almost all tissues in the body Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the antigens expressed by MTECs?

They are highly diverse and represent almost all tissues in the body Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of MTECs expressing thousands of antigens?

It helps to establish immune tolerance to self-antigens Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of MTECs expressing a large number of antigens?

The immune system is more likely to tolerate self-antigens Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between MTECs and the immune system?

MTECs play a role in establishing immune tolerance Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Immune System Requirements

The immune system needs to balance two contradictory requirements: having a large repertoire of antigen receptors to detect pathogens and avoiding self-attack.
A large repertoire of antigen receptors is necessary to prevent "holes in the repertoire" that pathogens could exploit to evade immune detection.

Receptor Diversity

The diversity of TCR (T-cell receptor) and BCR (B-cell receptor) is crucial for immune detection.
The receptor repertoire must be diverse to recognize and respond to various pathogens.

Immune System Balance

The immune system must be shaped to prevent attacking the organism it inhabits.
The receptor repertoire must be balanced to avoid self-attack and recognize external antigens.

Consequences of Disturbances

Any disturbance in the immune system balance can have pathogenic or lethal consequences.
Consequences may include infections, unwanted reactions with autoantigens, or allergic reactions to harmless external antigens.

Role of Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells (mTECs)

Specialized cells in the thymus, mTECs, express proteins that are usually tissue-restricted.
mTECs express hundreds or thousands of diverse antigens that represent almost all tissues in the body.

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Description

The immune system must balance a large repertoire of antigen receptors to avoid detection evasion by pathogens. Learn how the immune system fulfills this requirement.