Name: Bibek Biswakarma Date: 30 th Sep 2021

Student no. 19-2-02646 Course: BS BIO 4-1

Immunology
Assignment 3: Antigen Capture and presentation to lymphocytes

1. When antigens enter through the skin, in what organs are they
concentrated? What cell type(s) play important roles in this process of antigen
capture?
 Antigens that enter through the skin are captured by dendritic cells that
reside in the epidermis and dermis and transported to skin draining lymph
nodes, where the antigens are concentrated and displayed to
lymphocytes.

2. What are MHC molecules? What are human MHC molecules called? How
were they discovered, and what is their function?
 Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules are cell surface
proteins that present antigenic peptides to T cells. Human MHC proteins
are called HLA molecules. They were initially discovered as products of
polymorphic genes that mediate transplant rejection. Their physiologic
function is antigen presentation.

3. What are the differences between the antigens that are displayed by class I
and class II MHC molecules?
 Proteins that are produced in or enter the cytosol are presented by MHC
class I molecules. Proteins internalized into vesicles by endocytosis are
presented by MHC class II molecules.

4. Describe the sequence of events by which class I and class II MHC

molecules acquire antigens for display.
 MHC class II α and β chains are produced in the endoplasmic reticulum,
where they assemble with each other and with an invariant chain that
occludes the antigen binding cleft. The MHC class II-invariant chain
complex is transported to a late endosomal/lysosomal compartment
where the invariant chain is degraded, leaving a peptide called CLIP in the
 cleft. Proteins internalized by the endocytic pathway are degraded in late
endosomes and lysosomes into peptides. Specific peptides displace CLIP
and bind tightly to the cleft of the MHC class II molecule, which is then
transported to the cell surface.

5. Which functional subsets of T cells recognize antigens presented by class I

and class II MHC molecules?
 CD4+ helper T cells recognize antigens displayed by class II molecules,
and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes recognize MHC class I-peptide
complexes.

6. What molecules on T cells contribute to their specificity for either class I or

class II MHC–associated peptide antigens?
 The CD4 co-receptor of helper T cells can bind to MHC class II molecules,
and the CD8 co-receptor of cytotoxic T cells binds to MHC class I
molecules.