NPTEL Biotechnology Cellular and Molecular Immunology

Module 2: Antibodies and Antigens

Lecture 7: Antibodies and Antigens (part I)
Antibodies may be defined as the proteins that recognize and neutralize any microbial
toxin or foreign substance such as bacteria and viruses. The only cells that make
antibodies are B lymphocytes. Mainly two forms of antibodies exist. One those that are
membrane-bound and act as receptor for antigens on the surface of B lymphocytes and
the other that are involved in inhibition of entry and spread of pathogens and are found in
blood circulation and connective tissues. The substance or molecule identified by
antibodies or that can evoke antibody response is called an antigen.
Some commonly used terminologies
Serum Clot formation in the blood leaves the residual fluid that contains antibodies.
These antibodies in the residue form the serum.
Antiserum Serum contains a bunch of antibodies and when these antibodies show
specificity to a particular antigen by binding to it, those antibodies are known as
antiserum.
Serology- Serology may be defined as the study of blood serum or antibodies and their
reactions with particular antigens.

7.1 Antibody structure

Antibodies are also called as immunoglobulins and are Y- shaped protein structures.
Antibodies consist of two identical light and heavy chains. Amino terminal variable (V)
regions are found in both heavy and light chains and they take part in antigen recognition.
Effector functions are directed by carboxy terminal constant (C) regions of the heavy
chains but C regions are also found in both the chains. Both the heavy and light chains
are composed of Immunoglobulin (Ig) domain. Ig domain is a protein domain that
consists of folded repeating units of 110 amino acids in length sandwiched between two
layers of -pleated sheet. The two layers of pleated sheet are held together by a
disulfide bridge and there are short loops that connect the adjoining strands of each
sheet. Amino acids in some of these loops are most crucial for antigen recognition. Light
and heavy chain structure is almost similar. In light chain there is one V region Ig domain
and one C region Ig domain whereas in heavy chain V region comprises of one Ig domain
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and the C region comprises of three or four Ig domains. Antigen-binding site is formed
by the V region of one heavy chain and the adjacent V region of one light chain.
Disulfide bonds formed between cysteine residues connect the light and heavy chains in
the carboxyl terminus of the light chain and the CH-1 domain of the heavy chain.
Association of heavy and light chains occurs partly due to the non-covalent interactions
between the VL and VH domains and between the CL and CH1 domains. Two heavy
chains of each antibody entity are connected covalently by disulfide bonds. In IgG
antibodies disulfide bonds are formed between cysteine residues in the CH2 regions
which are near to a region known as hinge. This hinge region is more likely to undergo
proteolytic cleavage. Fragment antigen binding (Fab fragment) is a portion on antibody
that has the capability to bind to antigen and consists of one variable and one constant
domain of each of the heavy and the light chain. Fragment crystallizable region (Fc
region) is the distal region of an antibody that is composed of two identical, disulfide
linked peptides containing the heavy chain CH2 and CH3 domains.

Fc region

communicates with some cell surface receptors called Fc receptors and this feature of Fc
region helps antibodies to stimulate the immune system.
Figure 7.1 Immunoglobulin-G (IgG) molecule:

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Figure 7.2 Schematic representation of immunoglobulin domains:

7.2 Monoclonal antibodies

The concept of monoclonal antibodies was given for the first time by Georges Kohler
and Cesar Milstein in the year 1975. Monoclonal antibodies are the antibodies that are
specific to one particular antigen as they are made by identical immune cells that are
several copies of a same parent cell e.g. any tumor cell of a specific region say plasma
cells, are monoclonal and thus have the ability to produce antibodies of same specificity.
The basic technique involved in making of monoclonal antibodies relies on fusion of B
cells from an immunized mouse with a myeloma (tumor cell line) cell line and let the
cells grow in a condition where unfused normal and tumor cells cannot survive. The cells
that are fused and able to grow through this procedure are called as hybridomas.

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7.2.1 Uses of monoclonal antibodies

1) Monoclonal antibodies help in immunodiagnosis by detection of a particular antigen or
antibody.
2) Many tumor-specific antibodies help in tumor detection.
3) Some of the monoclonal antibodies have therapeutic uses. E.g. cytokine tumor necrosis
factor (TNF) is used to treat many inflammatory conditions.
4) Monoclonal antibodies help in identification of individual cell populations e.g.
lymphocyte and leukocyte differentiation has become possible now.
5) They help in the purification of cells in order to generate the info about their features and
functions.

7.3 Genesis of immunoglobulin (Ig) molecules

Like most of the proteins, immunoglobulin heavy and light chains are formed in the
rough endoplasmic reticulum. Chaperones are the proteins that are required for proper
folding or unfolding of Ig heavy chains and also are needed during the assembly of heavy
chain with light chain. Assembly process includes stabilizing of both the heavy and light
chains by disulfide linkage and mutual association of heavy and light chains and the
whole process occurs in endoplasmic reticulum. This is followed by carbohydrate
modification which is required at the end of assembly process. At the end of this process
Ig molecules get separated from chaperones and are shifted to cisternae of Golgi complex
for carbohydrate modification, and finally find the way into the plasma membrane in
vesicles. Membrane bound Ig molecules lie within the plasma membrane and the secreted
form find its way out of the cell.
Membrane form of the heavy chain is synthesized by a prototype called the pre-B cell,
which synthesizes the Ig polypeptides. Pre- B cell receptor expression on cell surface
requires the association of heavy chain with surrogate light chains. Further maturation
of B- cells is associated with modification in Ig gene expression leading to the generation
of Ig molecules in different forms. The mature B lymphocytes differentiate into the
antibody- secreting cells only when stimulated by foreign object or any antigen.

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7.4 Half- life of antibodies

Half-life of antibodies varies in circulation. IgG molecules have a half life of 21 to 28
days while IgE has the shortest half-life of about 2 days. Long half-life of IgG is assigned
to its ability to bind to Fc receptor called the neonatal Fc receptor. It is neonatal Fc
receptor that is responsible for transfer of maternal IgG across the placental barrier.
Table 7.1 Biological properties of different Ig molecules:

Immunoglobulin
class/Property

Molecular
weight
(Daltons)

Subunits

Constant
heavy region
(CH)

Heavy chain

Synthesis area

IgM
IgG
IgA
IgE
IgD

900,000
180,000
360,000
200,000
180,000

5
1
2
1
1

4
3
4
4
3

Spleen and lymph nodes

Spleen and lymph nodes
Intestinal and respiratory tracts
Intestinal and respiratory tracts
Spleen and lymph nodes

Figure 7.3 Different classes of immunoglobulins:

IgM

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IgA

Joining chain= J
IgD

IgE

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Lecture 8: Antibodies and Antigens (part II)

8.1 Characteristics of biologic antigens
1) One of the most important characters of antigen is to bind specifically to an antibody.
2) Almost all the antigens are identified by specific antibodies but very few have the
ability to stimulate the antibodies. Sometimes in order to provoke an immune response,
immunologists adjoin several copies of small molecules called hapten to a protein prior
to immunization and the protein to which it is attached is known as carrier.
3) Foreign antigens are usually much bigger than the region where actual binding occurs
between the antigen and the antibody and this region is known as antigen binding region.
An antibody prefers to bind to this small region of the antigen known as epitope.
Epitopes are hence also called as antigenic determinants.
4) Random structure on the antigenic molecule that is identified by the antibody as an
antigenic binding site forms the epitope of that antigen.
5) Different epitopes are so organized on a single protein molecule that their spacing may
affect the binding of antibody molecules in various ways.

8.2 Chemistry of antigen binding

The interaction of an antigen antibody is a reversible binding process that requires several
non-covalent interactions like hydrogen bonds, electrostatic forces and hydrophobic
interactions. Affinity and Avidity between the antigen antibodies also play a major role
in their interaction. The potency of the reaction between a specific antigenic determinant
and its single combining site on the antibody determines its affinity. The overall potential
of binding of an antigen with many antigenic determinants to its multivalent antibody
determines its avidity. Normally antigen-antibody binding site on antibodies are more or
less flat and hence spacious so that they can attach large complexes or structures.

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8.3 Antigen recognition

8.3.1 Specificity- Antibodies are very specific to an antigen and can even understand
the minute difference between almost similar antigens. It may however happen that an
antibody may bind to different but structurally similar antigen and this phenomenon is
termed as a cross-reaction.

8.3.2 Diversity Diversity determines the ability of antibody to bind specifically to a

large number of different antigens. The pool of antibodies with different specificities
describes the antibody repertoire.

8.3.3 Affinity maturation- The efficiency of antibody bonding to antigen is

measured in terms of affinity and avidity. Some modification is required in structure of V
region of antibodies during T cell dependent humoral immune response to antigens so
that the antibodies having high affinity can be generated. B-cells that are responsible for
generating high affinity antibodies preferentially bind to the antigen due to selection and
become the prominent cells with each antigen antibody reaction. This mechanism is
termed as affinity maturation, and it leads to an increase in binding affinity of antigen and
antibody as antibody mediated response develops further.

8.4 Effector functions of antigen antibody reaction

1) As two or more Fc portions are required to stimulate effector functions so effector
functions are carried out only by molecules with bound antigens and not with free Ig.
2) Fc region of the antibody molecules play a critical role in effector stimulation, so
antibody isotypes varying in Fc region can be easily distinguished on the basis of
interactions they carry.
3) Distribution of antibody molecules through different tissues is decided solely by the
constant region in the heavy chain of an antibody molecule. This directed distribution
through constant region of heavy chain is the reason behind IgA presence in mucosal
secretions or recruitment of other antibodies to a particular tissue.
4) In antibody mediated immune response, variation in the isotypes of antibodies decides
the ways to eliminate antigen from the body. In addition, isotype switching or class
switching also has some role in it. e.g. antibody response to bacteria and viruses is carried

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out by IgG antibodies but switching to IgG isotype can also lengthen the humoral
response because it has the longest half life period among all the antibodies.
*Isotype- The presence of variations in the constant regions of the immunoglobulin heavy
and light chains are called isotypes. Five heavy chain isotypes and two light chain
isotypes are present in humans.

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Lecture 9: Major histocompatibility complex (Part I)

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) was discovered from the studies conducted
on transplant immunology. It was discovered from the fact that tissues exchanges
between non-identical animal are rejected while from identical twins are accepted.
George Snell and colleagues identified the single genetic region responsible for this
rejection in chromosome 17 of mice and named it major histocompatibility complex.
Similarly the gene responsible for graft rejection in humans was identified as human
leukocyte antigen (HLA).

9.1 Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene

The MHC locus contains two types of MHC genes, class I and class II. MHC genes are
codominantly expressed in an individual that means the alleles of the gene are inherited
from both the parents. MHC class I molecules display peptides to the CD8+ lymphocytes
to activate cell mediated immune response, and MHC class II molecules display the
peptides to CD4+ lymphocytes to activate humoral mediated immune response. The
diversity of the immune system has made MHC class I and II genes to be the most
polymorphic genes present in the human genome. In humans, the gene responsible for
encoding MHC molecule is located in the chromosome 6 (chromosome 17 in mice). The
human MHC class I is encoded by three class of genes namely, HLA-A, HLA-B, and
HLA-C. Similarly MHC class II is encoded by genes HLA-DP, HLA-DQ, and HLA-DR.
In mice nomenclature for MHC changed to H-2K, H-2D, and H-2L for class I and I-A
and I-E for class II (only 2 genes in mice). The set of MHC alleles present on each
chromosome are called MHC haplotype.

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Figure 9.1 Map of human and mice MHC gene loci:

9.2 MHC expression

MHC class I molecules are expressed on all the nucleated cells, while class II are
expressed only in dendritic cells, B cells, macrophages and few other cells. Class I
restricted CD8+ cells kill the virus infected cells, the cells containing intracellular
antigens and tumor antigens. Class II restricted CD4+ cells kill the extracellular antigen
presented by mostly dendritic cells. The expressions of MHC molecules are stimulated by
the cytokines such as interferons (type-I and II). Interferon- secreted by natural killer
cells during the early innate immune response is the major cytokine responsible for
activating the expression of MHC class II molecules in dendritic cell and macrophages.
The rate of transcription of MHC gene is the major determinant for the expression of
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MHC molecules. Any mutation in the transcription factor leads to many

immunodeficiency diseases such as bare lymphocyte syndrome.

9.3 Properties of MHC molecules

1. MHC molecule consists of peptide binding groove, an immunoglobulin like
domain, transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic domain. MHC class I
molecule is made up of one MHC encoded and one non-MHC encoded chain.
MHC class II molecule is made up of two MHC encoded chains.
2.

The peptide binding groove is located at the adjacent to polymorphic amino acid
residue. Because of the variability in the region, different MHC molecule binds
and displays different peptides and are recognized by different T cells.

3. An immunoglobulin like domains contains the binding site for CD4 and CD8
cells.
Table 9.1 Features of MHC class I and II molecules:

Characters
Polypeptide chains

MHC class I
1, 2, 3 and 2

MHC class II
1, 2, 1 and 2

microglobulin
Size of peptide

8-11 amino acid long

10-30 or more amino acid

long

Peptide binding site

Between 1 and 2

Between 1 and 1

Binding site for T cell

3 region (CD8+ binding)

2 region (CD4+ binding)

coreceptor

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Lecture 10: Major histocompatibility complex (Part II)

10.1 Peptide-MHC interaction
There are some characteristic features of peptide-MHC interaction.
I.

MHC class I and II molecules have a single peptide binding cleft that
accommodates one peptide at a time but can bind to different peptides.

II.

The processed peptide that binds to MHC shares structural compatibility that
promotes their interaction.

III.

MHC acquires the peptide over their cleft during the processing of the antigen
inside the cell.

IV.

Only small populations of peptide loaded over the MHC molecules are capable of
eliciting the immune responses.

V.

MHC molecules present both the self and non-self peptide to the T cells.
Remarkably it is the T lymphocyte that decides to which the body should produce
an immune response. Majority of the MHC present in the body are loaded with
the self peptide and T cells activated against the self peptides are either killed or
inactivated by the host immune surveillance system. Hence, T cells normally do
not respond to a self antigen.

10.2 MHC class I

MHC class I molecules are made up of two polypeptide chains, and 2-microglobulin.
The chain is around 44 kD and 2-microglobulin chain is around 12kD in size.
Each chain is divided into three parts to accommodate extracellular 1, 2, and 3
domains, transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic tail. The 1 and 2 is around 90
amino acids long and binds to only 8-11 amino acid long peptides (peptide binding cleft).
The ends of MHC class I peptide binding cleft is closed and the larger peptide cannot be
accommodated in the designated space. The accommodation length of peptide is highly
conformational and globular proteins need to process into 8-11 amino acid length in order
to load over the MHC class I cleft. The 1 and 2 contains the polymorphic residues
which are responsible for the variation among the MHC I allele and their recognition by a
specific T cell. The 3 segment of chain contains the binding site for CD8+ cells. The
3 segment extends to 25 amino acids residue towards its carboxy terminal covering the

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lipid bilayer and more 30 amino acids as a cytoplasmic tail. The 2-microglobulin noncovalently interacts with 3 chain. Binding of the peptide in the cleft between 1 and 2
strengthens the interaction between and 2- microglobulin chain. The fully formed
MHC class I molecule is a heterotrimer consists of 1, 2, 3 and 2-microglobulin
chain.
Figure 10.1 Schematic representation of a MHC class I molecule:

10.3 MHC class II

MHC class II molecules are also made up of two polypeptide chains, and . The
chain is around 33 kD and chain is around 31kD in size. The 1 and 1 chain
interacts with the peptide which is longer than peptide binding to class I molecule. The
peptide binding cleft at 1 and 1 are open and so can fit peptides of length 30 or more
amino acids. The 2 segment contains the binding site for CD4+ cells. The fully formed
MHC class II molecule is a heterotrimer consisting of 1, 2, 1 and 2 microglobulin
chain.

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Figure 10.2 Schematic representation of a MHC class II molecule:

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Lecture 11: Antigen processing and presentation to T

lymphocyte (Part I)
11.1 Antigen recognition by T lymphocyte
In order to generate an acquired immune response an antigen molecule must be broken
inside the cells and presented to the immune cells with the help of major
histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. These are encoded by the genes of MHC
complex and vary between different species. Antigens can trigger an immune response
only after bounding to MHC molecules. All vertebrate animals contain the MHC
encoding loci in their chromosomes.
Most of the T lymphocytes can recognize the small peptide fragments while the B
cells can recognize the peptides, carbohydrates, lipid, nucleic acid and other chemicals.
Because of different antigen specificity of T and B lymphocytes, cell mediated immune
responses are usually activated by a protein antigen while humoral immune responses are
activated by non-protein antigens.
The T cells recognize only protein antigens displayed by MHC molecules because
the MHC cannot bind to any other molecules. An individual T cell can recognize only
one specific MHC molecules loaded with the peptide, the property is called as MHC
restricted.
T cells can recognize only the linear peptides and not the conformational epitopes
of an antigen because the conformations of the proteins are lost during the processing and
loading into the peptide binding cleft of MHC molecules.
T cells can recognize only the antigens that are associated with the antigen
presenting cells and not to the soluble protein.

11.2 Antigen presenting cells

Many cell types function as antigen presenting cells to activate the nave and effector T
cells. Dendritic cells are the most common and effective antigen presenting cells in the
body. Macrophages and B cells also act as an antigen presenting cells, but only to the
previously activated T cells. All the above mentioned cells expresses the MHC type II
molecule over their surface and hence also called professional antigen presenting cells.
The antigen presenting cells displays the peptide MHC complex to T cells and also
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provides the additional stimuli to T cells for its proper functioning. These stimuli are
sometimes called as costimulatory molecules because they function together with the
antigen presenting cells.
The antigen presenting function of the antigen presenting cells can be enhanced
by microbial products. The induction of T cell response against an antigen is usually
enhanced by the administration of purified protein products called as adjuvants.
Adjuvants are derived from microbes such as killed mycobacterium which mimics the
microbes and stimulate the production of immune response.
Figure 11.1 Different antigen presenting cells:

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Table11.1 Properties of antigen presenting cells

Cells

MHC class II and costimulation

Function

Dendritic cells

Expression increases with maturation and

interferon-. CD40 and CD40L interaction
acts as costimulator.

Process the protein antigen

for T cell response.

Macrophages

Expression increases with interferon-.

CD40 and CD40L interaction, LPS, and
interferon- acts as costimulators.

Cell mediated immune

response

B lymphocyte

Expression increases with interleukin-4.

CD40 and CD40L interaction acts as
costimulator.

Humoral immune response

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Figure 11.2 Enhancement of class II expression by interferon-:

11.3 Dendritic cells

As discussed earlier dendritic cells are the major cells of immune system that act as an
antigen presenting cell. Dendritic cells are present in the lymphoid organs and epithelial
cells of gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract. All dendritic cells are derived from the
bone marrow precursor mononuclear phagocytic cells. Dendritic cells capture the antigen
from the skin and epithelial lining of the tissues and enter the lymphatic vessels. Lymph
acts as a reservoir of the cell associated as well as free antigen. There are mainly two
subsets of dendritic cells.

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11.3.1 Conventional dendritic cells

These are also called myeloid dendritic cells. They are the most abundant dendritic cells
in the body and responsible for producing a strong T cell immune response. In tissues,
they are called Langerhans cells because of its long cytoplasmic process that occupies a
large surface area in the epithelial surface which make them highly accessible to the
antigens. The surface marker molecules for conventional dendritic cell are CD11c and
CD11b. They express high level of Toll like receptor 4, 5, and 8. In addition they secrete
high level of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6.

11.3.2 Plasmacytoid dendritic cells

They are named so because of their morphology which is similar to plasma cells. The
surface marker molecule for plasmacytoid dendritic cell is B220. They express high level
of Toll like receptor 7 and 9. They are responsible for the secretion of large amount of
type I interferon ( and ) following viral infection.

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Lecture 12: Antigen processing and presentation to T

lymphocyte (Part II)
12.1 Processing of antigen through MHC class I pathway
Usual antigens that are processed by MHC class I include intracellular bacteria, viruses,
and tumor antigens. MHC class I peptides are processed in the cytosol by the proteolytic
degradation of the protein. Occasionally the proteins are phagocytized and imported to
the cytoplasm in order to load over the MHC class I molecules. The proteins are degraded
by the proteasome in the cytoplasm which are the complex structure responsible for the
degradation of unwanted or improperly folded proteins. After degradation the peptides
are transferred to the endoplasmic reticulum with the help of transported proteins called
transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP). TAP is associated with another
protein called Tapasin, which acquires specific affinity with the new and empty MHC
molecules. Tapasin brings the TAP-antigen complex towards the new MHC molecule.
The proper folding and assembly of the MHC class I molecules inside the endoplasmic
reticulum is modulated by the chaperons calnexin and calreticulin. The peptides from
TAP-antigen-tapasin complex is processed and loaded over the MHC molecule with the
help of endoplasmic reticulum associated peptidases (ERAP). The peptide transported
to the endoplasmic reticulum are generally presented through the MHC class I pathway.
The peptide bound to the MHC class I molecules are then transported to Golgi apparatus
and then to cell surface with the help of exocytic vesicles. The MHC class I loaded
peptides are recognized by CD8+ T lymphocyte to induce cell mediated immune
response.

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Figure 12.1 MHC class I antigen processing pathway:

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12.2 Processing of antigen through MHC class II pathway

Majority of the peptides associated with the MHC class II are generated from
extracellular antigens (protein) that are captured inside endosomes of the antigen
presenting cells. The antigen containing endosomes are fused with the lysosome to form
endolysosome, the acidic pH of the endolysosome helps in the degradation of the proteins
into smaller peptides.

MHC class II molecules are synthesized in the endoplasmic

reticulum and transported to the endosomes with the help of invariant chain (Ii), which
binds to the peptide binding cleft of a newly synthesized MHC class II molecule. Class II
molecules with bound invariant chain (CLIP) are transported to endosomes and are
degraded by proteolysis to release the invariant chain. The remaining part of CLIP is
removed by HLA-DM present in the endosomes in order to create space for peptide.
Once CLIP is removed the peptides are loaded over the MHC class II molecule. The
MHC class II molecule bound to peptides is delivered to the surface for their recognition
by the CD4+ T lymphocytes (humoral immune response).

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Figure 12.2 MHC class II antigen processing pathway:

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Table 12.1 comparison of MHC class I and II antigenic processing:

Features
Composition of peptide

MHC class I

MHC class II

1, 2, and peptide

1, 1, and peptide

All nucleated cells

Dendritic cells, phagocytes, B

binding cleft
Antigen presenting cells

lymphocyte, macrophages etc

Type of T cells

CD8+ T cell

CD4+ T cell

Source of protein antigen

Cytosolic protein antigens

Endosomal and lysosomal

protein antigen

Site of peptide loading

Endoplasmic reticulum

Specialized vesicles

12.3 Cross presentation of peptides

Occasionally dendritic cells capture and ingest the viruses or tumor antigens and present
the antigens to the CD8+ T lymphocytes. As mentioned above, antigens captured into
vesicles initiate the MHC class II pathway. The deviation of some dendritic cells to
present the endocytic degraded peptides to MHC class I molecules and activate the CD8+
mediated immune response is called cross presentation.

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Lecture 13: Antigen receptors and accessory molecules of

T lymphocytes (Part I)
Receptors that initiate the signaling pathways are generally associated with the plasma
membrane. The extracellular domain of the receptors recognizes the ligands present over
the cell surface and this interaction may lead to conformational changes in the receptor.
The conformational changes are associated with the recruitment of the phosphate group at
its carboxy terminal on tyrosine, serine, or threonine residue. The enzyme that adds the
phosphate group on amino acid residues are called protein kinases. The tyrosine is the
major amino acid residue that takes part in this event (phosphorylation) hence the
enzymes are referred as protein tyrosine kinases. Alternatively the enzymes which are
responsible for the removal of phosphate group from amino acids are called
phosphatase. In general the protein kinases can initiate while phosphatase can
inhibit the signaling pathways. Several types of protein modification can also modulate
the binding of an antigen to the receptor such as phosphorylation (addition of phosphate
group), acetylation (addition of acetyl group), methylation (addition of methyl group),
and ubiquitination (addition of ubiquitin). The ubiquitination is the event that takes place
during the degradation of proteins through proteasome.

13.1 Types of cellular receptors

There are several types of cell receptors based on their signaling mechanism and
biochemical pathways.

13.1.1 Receptor tyrosine kinases

They are associated with the cell membrane and are involved in the phosphorylation of
tyrosine residue located in their cytoplasmic tail. The pathway begins after binding with a
suitable ligand over the receptor. e.g. Insulin receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor,
platelet derived growth factor receptor, and receptor involved in the process of
hematopoiesis.

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13.1.2 Non-receptor tyrosine kinases

They are associated with the cell membrane and are involved in the phosphorylation of
proteins by a non-receptor tyrosine kinases following binding with a ligand. Immune
receptors, cytokine receptors, and integrins are known to follow non-receptor tyrosine
kinases signaling pathway.

13.1.3 Seven transmembrane receptors

These are the polypeptide receptors that traverse seven times in the plasma membrane
and hence also named as serpentine receptor. The receptor generally binds to GTP
hence also called as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). Binding of the ligand to
GPCR activates the hetrotrimeric G protein and initiates the downstream signaling
pathway. Inflammatory cytokines and cAMP are activated following binding to GPCR.

13.1.4 Nuclear receptors

The modulation of transcription is usually done at the level of nuclear membrane. The
receptors that use lipids as its ligand either increase or decrease the transcription of genes.
Vitamin D receptor and glucocorticoid receptor are the examples of nuclear receptors.

13.1.4 Miscellaneous receptors

Notch receptors are involved in the embryonic development and tissue maturation. The
binding of the specific ligand with notch receptor leads to the proteolytic cleavage of the
cytoplasmic tail of the receptor that can act as a transcription factor for different
developmental pathways. A group of ligand called Wnt can modulate the level of catenin which contributes to B and T cell development.

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Figure 13.1 Signaling pathways for cytosolic and nuclear activation:

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13.2 Immune receptor family

Immune receptors are made up of immunoglobulin superfamily which are involved in
ligands recognition and contain tyrosine motif in their cytoplasmic tails. The cytoplasmic
tail contains the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activating motifs (ITAM) which are
involved in the activation process. Phosphorylation of ITAM recruits the Syk/ZAP-70
tyrosine kinase which activates the immune cells. Contrary to ITAM some immune
receptor contains immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIM) which lead
to inhibition of immune signaling. Immune receptors family includes B and T cell
receptors, IgE receptor on mast cells, and activating and inhibitory receptor Fc receptors.

13.3 Characteristics of antigen receptor signaling

Signaling event in the T and B cells undergoes similar downstream pathway.
Binding of ligands to the receptor activates the Src family kinase that phosphorylates the
ITAM motif in the cytoplasmic tail of the receptor. The phosphorylated tyrosine in ITAM
recruits the Syk tyrosine kinases which further activate the downstream signaling
cascade.

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Lecture 14: Antigen receptors and accessory molecules of

T lymphocytes (Part II)
14.1 T cell receptor complex and T cell signaling
The T cell receptors (TCR) are made up of heterodimer of two polypeptide chains, and
that are covalently linked with each other by a disulfide linkage. The TCR containing
these two chains are called as T cells. Another type of TCR called T cells contains
and polypeptide chains. Each polypeptide chain in TCR is made up of amino
terminus, variable and carboxy terminal, constant region (similar like immunoglobulin
molecules). The variable regions are the complementarity determining regions in the
TCR and are responsible for its polymorphism. The and chains contain 5-12 amino
acids residue at their cytoplasmic tail to take part in signal transduction pathway. The
other two structures that are associated with the TCR are CD3 and proteins which are
noncovalently associated with the chain. TCR together with CD3 and proteins
forms the TCR complex.
The CD3 and proteins are constant in all T cells regardless to its specificity towards any
ligand. CD3 contains , , and polypeptide chains which resembles the immunoglobulin
superfamily members. CD3 contains two heterodimer made up of and polypeptide
chains. The , , and polypeptide chains of CD3 molecule is made up of 44-81 amino
acids and contains one ITAM molecule for modulating the downstream signaling
pathway. CD3 polypeptide chain contains a negatively charged aspartic acid residue that
interacts with the positive charged residue present in the chain. The polypeptide
chain contains a long cytoplasmic tail that contains three ITAM molecules and usually
expressed as a homodimer in a TCR complex.

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Figure 14.1 T cell receptor complex:

Table 14.1 Difference between T cell receptor and immunoglobulins:

Features

T cell receptor

Immunoglobulins

Polypeptide chain

and chains

Heavy and light chains

Associated molecules

CD3 and

Ig and Ig

Complementarity determining Three

Three

regions
Isotype switching

No

Yes

Somatic mutation

No

Yes

Secretory form

No

Yes (IgA)

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14.2 Signaling in T cell receptor

The ligation of TCR with a peptide loaded MHC molecule results in grouping of CD3,
proteins and other coreceptors. CD4 and CD8 are T cell coreceptors that bind to the MHC
molecule and facilitate the TCR signaling pathway. As we learned in MHC molecule
CD4 recognizes class II while CD8 recognizes class I molecule, to maintain this
equilibrium, T cells can express either CD4 or CD8 receptor but never both.

The

interaction of TCR with an MHC-peptide complex results in phosphorylation of the

ITAM residue present over the TCR complex. Phosphorylation of the ITAM activates the
tyrosine kinase which phosphorylates the tyrosine present over the other coreceptor
molecules. The cytoplasmic tails of CD4 and CD8 recruits a Src family kinase Lck.
Another Src family kinase associated with the TCR complex is Fyn. Lck phosphorylates
the tyrosine in the ITAM present over the CD3 and chain. The phosphorylated ITAM in
the chain recruits the Syk family tyrosine kinase called associated protein of 70kD
(ZAP70). ZAP70 in turn phosphorylates the adaptor proteins such as SLP-76 and LAT.
Phosphorylated LAT then recruits several components of adaptor proteins including
PLC1 (key enzyme involved in T cell activation). This entire event activates the Ras and
mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway which in turn activates the
transcription factors and activated T cell response.
Figure 14.2 Receptor and ligands involve in T cell activation:

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Figure 14.3 Schematic representation of T cell signaling:

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