BIO 205

Chapter 20
Aquired Immunity
Overview of the Acquired Immune
Response
The Ability to Eliminate Pathogens Requires a Multifaceted
Approach

Antigens are microbes or microbe parts that provoke an

immune response
The immune systems recognizes unique antigenic
determinants (epitopes)
Immune deficiency is the loss of the body’s ability to
respond to antigens and epitopes

Regulatory T cells prevent other T cells from attacking “self”

cells.
•Autoimmune diseases occur when self-tolerance
breaks down

If nonimmunogenic molecules (haptens) are linked to

proteins, they may not be recognized as “self”.
•Thus they might provoke an immune response
(allergies)

Immunological memory is the ability to “remember” past

pathogen exposures.
•The body fights off any subsequent infections
Acquired Immunity Generates Two Complementary
Responses to Most Pathogens.

•B lymphocytes (B cells) are involved in producing

antibodies against epitopes

•T lymphocytes (T cells) provide resistance through lysis

of infected or abnormal cells
The humoral immune response involves:

•activation of B cells
•production of antibodies against the identified antigen

If the microbes enter cells, antibodies are useless.

Then, the cell mediated immune response is activated

to eliminate “nonself” cells
• Antigen exposure activates
only T and B cells with
receptors that recognize
specific epitopes on that
antigen

• B and T cell clones contain

lymphocytes that develop
into:

1. Effector cells that

which target
pathogens

2. Memory cells are long-

lived B and T cells.
They are capable of
division on short notice
The Immune System Originates from Groups of Stem Cells

In the fetus, lymphocytes arise from hematopoietic stem

cells in the yolk sac and bone marrow.

They develop into:

•Myeloid progenitors, which become:

1. red blood cells
2. most white blood cells

•Lymphoid progenitors, which become lymphocytes

T lymphocytes are formed in the thymus

B cells are formed in the bone marrow

The Humoral Immune Response
Antibodies are of a class of proteins called
immunoglobulins

Epitope recognition requires antibodies to

have a special structure of:

•2 identical heavy (H) chains

•2 identical light (L) chains

Each light and heavy chain has:

•A constant region, which determines the location and

functional class of the antibody.

•A variable region, which contains different amino acids

for the many antibodies produced.
Each light and heavy chain has:

A constant region, which determines the location and

functional class of the antibody

A variable region, which contains different amino acids

for the many antibodies produced

The variability allows formation of the specific antigen

binding site

The Fab fragment of an antibody combines with the

Epitope

The Fc fragment performs functions in:

•opsonization
•activation of the complement system
•allergic reactions
There Are Five Immunoglobulin Classes

1. IgM is the first (but short-lived) Ig to appear in

circulation after B cell stimulation

2. IgG (gamma globulin) is the major circulating antibody

It provides immunity to the fetus and newborn

3. IgAprovides resistance in the respiratory and

gastrointestinal tracts. It is found in colostrum

4. IgE plays a role in allergic reactions

5. IgD is a cell surface receptor on B cells

The structures of the five antibody classes
Antibody Responses to Pathogens Are of Two Types

1. A primary antibody response occurs the first time the

body encounters a pathogen

2. A secondary antibody response is more powerful and

sustained. It occurs with a subsequent infection by the
same pathogen
•Antibody Diversity Is a
Result of Gene
Arrangements

•Somatic
recombination is a
random mix and match
of gene segments

•This accounts for the

large number of unique
antibodies encoded by
immune system genes
Antibody Interactions Mediate the Disposal of Antigens (Pathogens)

Formation of antigen-antibody complexes result in the antigen:

•death
•inactivation
•increased susceptibility
The membrane
attack complex
causes cell lysis
The Cell Mediated Immune Response
Cellular Immunity Relies on T-Lymphocyte Receptors and Recognition

•Cytotoxic T cells have T-cell receptors (TCRs) and CD8 coreceptor

proteins

Naïve T cells have TCRs and CD4 coreceptor proteins.

•Naïve T cells can help with both humoral and cell mediated
immunity

•HIV attaches to the CD4 receptor and infects the cell

•TCRs and coreceptors allow T cells to recognize and bind
to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)

•MHC proteins are unique for nearly all individuals

They mark the body’s cells as “self”

•Class II MHC proteins on the surface of immune cells

present antigen fragments to naïve T cells.

•They are called antigen-presenting cells (APCs)

Class I MHC proteins are found on the surface of nearly all

the body’s cells
Naïve T Cells Mature into Effector T Cells
Cytotoxic T Cells Recognize MHC-1 Peptide Complexes

Host cells infected by viruses can:

•degrade viral antigens

•present peptide fragments with MHC-1 proteins on the
cell surface

Activated cytotoxic T cells recognize and bind to the MHC-

1/peptide complex on infected cells

They release toxic substances such as perforin and

granzymes to:

•cause cell death

•expose pathogens to antibodies
Cytotoxic T Cells Attacking a Tumor Cell
TH2 Cells Initiate the Cellular Response to Humoral
Summary of
Immune
Response
End of Chapter 20