The Immunological Response

Cells Involved in the Adaptive (Specific) Immune Response.

1- Macrophages:
-

They act as Ag presenting cells. They secrete cytokines e.g. IL-1.

2- Lymphocytes:
They originate from a stem cell in the bone marrow and include: T-lymphocytes. B-lymphocytes.

T-lymphocytes:
-

They mature in the thymus. They are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They include different subsets each with a distinct function e.g. : Helper T cells (CD4+ cells),which differentiate into 2 major subtypes: TH1 and TH2 cells. Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+ cells). Memory T cells (CD4+ or CD8+ cells). Regulatory T cells (suppressor T cells).

B-lymphocytes:
-

They mature in the bone marrow . They are responsible for humoral (Abmediated) immunity.

The Major Events of the Adaptive (Specific) Immune Response

1- Ag processing and presentation by the APC. 2- Activation of the T-helper cell. 3- Activation of T-cytotoxic cells. 4- Activation of B-cells. 5- Formation of memory cells. 6- Elimination of the offending antigen. 7- Down-regulation of the immune response by regulatory (suppressor) T-cells.

1-Antigen processing and presentation 2- Activation of T-helper cell

Antigen processing and presentation

T helper cell Activation of T-helper cell

3- Activation of cytotoxic T cells

Activated T helper cell

Cytotoxic T cell (Tc)

Memory Tc

Effector Tc

A Cytotoxic T Cell Attacking and Killing a Virus-Infected Target Cell

CELLS alive!

Here, the smaller cytotoxic T cell or Tc (arrow) is attacking and killing a much larger virus-infected cell. The T cell will survive while the infected cell is destroyed.

4- B-cell activation and differentiation

Activated T helper cell

Antibodies

Activated T helper cell

APC T helper cell

Cytotoxic T cell (Tc) Antibodies

Cell-mediated immunity

Humoral immunity

Memory Tc

Effector Tc

Lysis

The Adaptive Immune Response

Antigens
-

A foreign substance which when introduced in the body it induces a specific immune response (Abs or cell-mediated immunity).

Recognized by the immune system as nonself. Usually protein in nature or a polysaccharide of a high molecular weight.

Types of Antigens
A)

B)

Incomplete Ag ( hapten). Complete Ags:

1- Iso-Ags. 2- Auto-Ags. 3- Heterophile Ags. 4- Bacterial Ags (capsullar, flagellar, somatic,..etc.) 5- Viral Ags 6- Super Ags.

A)
-

Incomplete Ag ( hapten):
A protein-free chemical substance incapable of producing Ab as such. Becomes antigenic if it binds to a protein Ab production. When re-introduced into the body it can react with previously formed Ab reaction. E.g. penicillin, aspirin, sulpha, cosmetics, tranquillizers and formaldehyde.

B) Complete Ags:

1- Iso-antigens:
-

Ags present on the cells of the body of different members of the same species. E.g - The blood group Ags (ABO, Rh factor). - Human leucocytic antigen (HLA). Body tissues are recognized as non-self due to infection or inflammation.

2- Auto-antigens: 3- Heterophile antigens:

-

Ags shared by different species. e.g. Ebstein-Bar virus shares Ags with sheep and horse RBCs.

4- Bacterial antigens:
e.g. capsular, flagellar (H), somatic (O), Vi, fimbrial Ags, exotoxins, endotoxins. 5- Viral antigens: - Viral capsid Ags and surface glycoprotein Ags.

6- Superantigens:
-

Ags which can activate T-cells non-specifically by binding directly to the V chains of their Ag receptors cross-linking them to MHC class II of APCs. e.g. bacterial toxins, viral proteins, Mycoplasma Ags. Result in systemic toxicity due to massive release of cytokines as IL-1, IL-2 and TNF from activated Tcells.