LECTURE #4 INTRODUCTION TO ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY

After studying lecture #4, you should be familiar with the following concepts.
1. Adaptive Immunity. The adaptive immune response is an evolutionary newcomer
that is restricted to non-cartilaginous jawed vertebrates. In contrast to innate immunity,
adaptive immune responses are not restricted to specific classes of microbial molecules
and adaptive immune receptors are not encoded within the germline. A further valuable
feature of adaptive immune responses is that they improve or adapt upon repeated
exposure to a given foreign toxin or microbe.
2. Antigens. Adaptive immune responses are stimulated by antigens. Originally
defined as antibody generating an antigen is now loosely defined as any molecule that
simulates an immune response from B or T lymphocytes. Antigens are recognized
directly by B Cell Receptors (BCR) on the surface of B cells. Alternatively, antigens are
presented to T Cell Receptors (TCR) on the surface of T cells by Antigen Presenting
Cells (APC). The BCR recognizes three-dimensional structures and mediates humoral
responses to extracellular antigens. In contrast, the TCR recognizes linear or twodimensional peptide antigens and mediate cellular responses to intracellular antigens.
3. Stages of an adaptive immune responses. The adaptive immune response
proceeds through a discreet series of steps. First the foreign antigen is detected directly
by a BCR or by a TCR interacting with and APC. Second the lymphocyte becomes
activated and undergoes clonal expansion. Activation requires two signals: detection of
antigen and a second signal such as a cytokine from the innate immune response or a
microbial product. During clonal expansion the active B and/or T cells undergoes
multiple rounds of replication. The result is an expanded population of a clone of B or T
cells with receptors specific to the foreign antigen. B cells and T cells that dont
recognize the antigen will not undergo clonal expansion. The activated lymphocytes
become effector cells that neutralize the invading microbe. After microbial elimination,
most active lymphocytes undergo apoptotic death (decline phase). Some antigenspecific lymphocytes persist after the infection (memory cells). Memory cells are ideally
equipped to respond to a repeat exposure and thereby provide a faster and more potent
immune response the second time round.
4. B lymphocytes (B cells). Each B cell expresses its own unique membrane-bound
BCR. Therefore each B cell is capable of initiating an immune response to a different
antigen. The BCR directly recognizes its antigen without a need for presentation. Upon
activation, the B cell produces a modifier version of the BCR. This modified protein is
secreted into circulation and is referred to as an antibody. Antibodies bind and neutralize
extracellular antigens.
5. T Lymphocytes (T cells). Each B cell expresses its own unique membrane-bound
TCR. The TCR alone is incapable of recognizing antigen. TCR only recognizes antigen
as a linear peptide in the context of a large complex of proteins on the surface of Antigen
Presenting Cells. There are two types of T cells. Active CD4 (Helper) T cells secrete
cytokines that activate (help) other components of the immune response such as
macrophages and B cells. CD8 (Cytolytic) T cells recognize microbial antigens on the
surface of infected host cells and directly destroy the infected cell, by instructing it to
undergo apoptosis.

6. The lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a remarkable two-way trafficking

system that concentrate antigens and lymphocytes in discreet sites known as lymph
nodes. APCs that contain antigens drain from the periphery into lymph nodes. Likewise
B cells and T cells move through the circulatory system and exit and enter lymph nodes.
Thus, APCs and B/T cells make frequent encounters in lymph nodes. This permits a
timely activation of the appropriate lymphocytes following infection and the induction of
an adaptive immune response.
Prepared by E. Foley