186 | i Some epitopes are hidden in the antigen. These epitopes are called hidden The surface epitopes are functional and the hidden epitopes are non- functional. The epitope is made up of 6 to 8 amino acids in a protein antigen and 6 to 8 glucose units in a polysaccharide antigen. Highlights Antigens + Asubstance that can induce a specific immune response is called an antigen. + Itcan react specifically with antibodies or sensitized cells. + The ability of an antigen to produce an immune response and to react with the products is known as antigenicity. + The ability of a material to induce an immune response is called immunogenicity. + The substance which induces immune response is called immu- nogen. * Antigenic substances include viruses, bacteria, fungi, toxins, proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids, etc. * Ithas a binding site called epitope or antigenic determinant. * An antigen containing many epitopes is called a multivalent antigen. * Different types of epitopes are present in an antigen. * The number of epitopes in an antigen is called valency of antigen. * Forssman antigen is a heterophile antigen occurring in unrelated animals. * Heterophile antigens are identical and they exist on the surface of cells of unrelated plants, animals and bacteria. + Antigens are of six types. They are: ‘ * Exogenous antigens {_ Au/oantigens ig 1g F : __ Alloantigens * Endogenous antigens * Thymus independent antigens * Thymus dependent antigens + Hapten * Cross reactive antigen7: Antigens Functions of Antigens 1. Antigens elicit immunological reactions 2. They bring about humoral immunity 3. They cause cell mediated immunity 4. They bring about allograft rejection 5. They determine blood groups Types of Antigens Antigens are classified into six types. They are the following: 1, Exogenous antigens 2, Endogenous antigens 3. Thymus independent antigens 4. Thymus dependent antigens 5. Hapten 6. Cross reactive antigen. 1. Exogenous Antigens The antigens entering the body. “from outside are called exogenous antigens. They are foreign antigens. Eg. Bacteria, virus, Fungi, etc. 2. Endogenous Antigens The antigens derived from the body, are called endogenous antigens. They are the native antigens. They are the components of body cells or they are synthesized by the body cells. Eg. Nucleic acids Nucleoproteins MHC molecules Blood group antigens Tumour antigens HLA antigens etc. The endogenous antigens are subdivided into Avo groups, namely: 1, Autoantigens 2. Alloantigens. 1. Autoantigens The antigens present in own body are called auto-antigens. Eg. Nucleic acids, nucleoproteins,etc. 2. Alloantigens The antigens present in different members of the same species are called alloantigens. f een These antigens have genetic polymorphism within the individuals of the same species.hes q include poly-saccharides, mn, polyvinylpyrolidone, etc.== j 159 Chap.7: Antigens eer Thymus independent antigens are non-proteins. They are resistant to degradation . . As they are polysaccharides they cannot be degraded into peptides. They cannot be displayed on the surface of cell along with MHC molecules. They have a polymeric stucture with repeating epitopes. The thymus independent antigens bind to the Ig receptors of B cells. The multivalent determinants of thymus independent antigens cross link the BCR (B cell receptor). They bring about humoral immune response producing antibodies. The humoral immune response, produced by thymus independent antigen, is weaker, no memory cells are produced and only IgM type of antibody is produced. 4. Thymus Dependent Antigens Thymus dependent antigens stimulate T cells. They are protein antigens. They are degraded by APC into peptide fragments. The peptide fragments are deposited on the surface of APC along with MHC molecules as peptide-MHC complex. The peptide-MHC complex is recognized by TH cells. The activated Tx cells activate Tc cells or B cells. Thymus dependent @ antigen APC APC OF APC Peptide Class Il MHC Peptide 1 Humoral Receptor immunit seat %i) Antibodies Cell mediated as Tnterleu- Lay Interleukin -2 kin -1 Te cell Fig.7.5: Thymus dependent antigen and immune response,160 SERRE ublication + The activated Tc cells bring about cell mediated immunity. + The activated B cells bring about humoral immunity. 5. Hapten Hapten is called an incomplete antigen. Hapten can combine with an antibody but cannot initiate an immune response; It is not immunogenic by itself unless it is bound to a carrier before introduction into the body. (GK: Haptein - to bind). The concept of haptens emerged from the works of Karl Landsteiner Hapten becomes immunogenic on combining with a larger molecule namely the carrier. For example, dinitrophenol (a hapten) may combine with a protein serum albumin to form a complete antigen so that it induces an immune response, Some substances act as haptens in some animals whereas they act as complete antigens in others. For example, pneumococcal polysaccharide may be a complete antigens in animals such as mouse and man but it acts only as ahapten in rabbits. 6. Cross Reactive Antigens Antigen-antibody reaction is specific and the specificity is determined by spatial configuration of the antigenic determinant group. But the antigen specificity is not absolute. Cross reactions can occur between antigens which bear stereochemical similarities. Cross reacting antigen is one which is capable of binding to antibody produced in response to a different antigen. This is due to sharing of determinants by the two antigens or because the antigenic determinants of the two are closely related stereochemically. One such cross reactive antigen is heterophile antigens. Heterophile Antigens (Heterogenetic Antigens) These antigens are identical and they exist on the surface of cells of unrelated plants, animals and bacteria. These heterophile antigens are polysaccharides. These poly-saccharides are structurally similar. The antibody for one antigen, will cross react with others. A few examples of heterophile antigens are, 1. Human blood group A antigen is cross reactive with antibodies to Pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide type XIV. 2, Human blood group B antigen is cross reactive with antibodies to certain strains of £. coli, the common colon Bacillus, Cross reaction occurs with protein antigens also, if the antigens are from closely related taxonomic sources. For example, antisera of hen egg albumin will cross react with duck egg albumin, The best known of the heterophile antigen is Forssman antigen.