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epitopes
Antigen
Hapten (incomplete antibody)
is a molecule that cannot induce
an immune response by itself
but can react with specific
antibody.
Nevertheless, haptens can induce
a response if combined with larger
molecules (normally proteins) which
serve as carrier.
Haptens are usually small. Many
drugs, eg, penicillins, are haptens,
and the catechol in the plant oil that
causes poison oak and poison ivy is a
hapten.
Immunogenic antigen
hapten epitope
protein
RNA
Protein 2
Protein 1
Lipid membrane
Antigenic properties of bacteria,
toxins, rickettsiae and viruses,
used in the practice of reproducing
artificial immunity against
infectious diseases, are of most
practical importance.
When the antigenic structures of
the host are similar to those of the
causative agent, the macroorganism
is incapable of producing immunity,
as the result of which the disease
follows a graver course. It is
possible that in individual cases the
carrier state and inefficacy of
vaccination are due to the common
character of the microbial antigens
and the antigens of the person's
cells.
It has been established that human
erythrocytes have antigens in
common with staphylococci,
streptococci, the organisms of
plague, E. coli. Salmonella paratyphi,
Shigella organisms, smallpox and
influenza viruses, and other
causative agents of infectious
diseases. Such a condition is called
antigenic mimicry.
Isoantigens are those substances
which have antigenic properties and are
contained in some individuals of a given
species.
Isoantigens of leukocytes, blood
platelets, lymphocytes, granulocytes,
blood sera, liver, and kidneys and inter-
organ (cell nuclei, mitochondria,
ribosomes, etc.) and pathological
(cancerous, bum, radiation) isoantigens
have been revealed.
Isoantigens have been found in the
erythrocytes of animals and man. At first
it was established that in human
erythrocytes there are two antigens (A
and B), and in the sera beta- and alpha-
antibodies. Only heterogenic antigens and
antibodies (agglutinins) can be found in
human blood.
On the basis of antigenic structure the
erythrocytes of all people can be
subdivided into 4 groups (A, B, AB and 0).
These data are taken into account
during blood transfusion.
Autoantigens are substances
capable of immunizing the body from
which they are obtained.
Self antigens
are ordinarily non-antigenic,
not normally found free in
circulation or tissue fluids,
are not recognized as self antigens.
Thus, they become modified and are
capable of bearing an antigenic function.
Autoantigens
These substances include
the eye lens,
spermatozoids,
homogenates of the seminal
gland,
skin,
emulsions of kidneys, liver, lungs
and other tissues.
Autoantigens
Under ordinary conditions they do
not come in contact with the
immunizing systems of the body,
therefore antibodies are not produced
against such cells and tissues. However,
if these tissues are injured, then
autoantigens may be absorbed, and may
cause the production of antibodies
which have a toxic effect on the
corresponding cells.
The origination of autoantigens is
possible under the influence of
cooling, radiation,
drugs (amidopyrine, sulphonamides,
preparations of gold, etc.),
virus infections "(virus pneumonias
and mononucleosis),
acterial proteins and toxins of
streptococci, staphylococci, tubercle
bacilli, paraproteins,
aseptic autolysis of brain tissue,
and other factors.
Histocompatibility antigens
There are the antigens present on the
cells of each individual of species . These
proteins are alloantigens; ie, they differ
among members of the same species.
These antigens are encoded by genes
known as histocompatibility genes which
collectively constitute major
histocompatibility complex (MHC), These
are located on the short arm of
chromosome 6.
Major Histocompatibility Complex