No.

Date TOPIC TUTOR

1 20.9 The Immune System Prof. Raj

2 20.9 Organs and Cells of the Immune System Dr. Raja’a

3 21.9 The Major Histocompatibility Complex Prof. Raj

4 21.9 Antigens and Antigen Presentation Prof. Raj

5 22.9 Humoral Immunity Prof. Raj

6 25.9 Antibody Functions and Complement Prof. Raj

 Ags are Internalized, Processed and Presented by APC

MHC+Epitope complex is recognized by T cells

Specific T cells become activated

HELP for B cells HELP for T cells

B cells produce antibodies T cells activate other T

cells and macrophages

HUMORAL Immunity CELL-MEDIATED Immunity

 Proliferation
Help

Antigen

Antibodies
Antigen-combining Sites

L L

H H
 Ag

LIGHT

HEAVY
Antibodies are SPECIFIC !

Antibodies are DIVERSE !

Humoral Immunity has MEMORY !

Memory B cells………………
Ag binding
sites
IgG
 IgG
• Monomeric

• Major Ig in the serum (75% of total Ig)

• Major Ig in secondary immune responses

• Found in INTRA and EXTRAvascular fluids

• Predominant anti-toxin antibody

• Capable of crossing the placenta

IgM

J chain
 IgM
• Pentamer of 2H and 2L structure

• 10-20% of serum Ig

• Found mostly in INTRAvascular fluids

• Predominant Ig in Primary Antibody Responses

• Immune responses to complex microbes

Electronmicrograph of IgM molecules
IgA
 IgA

• 10-20% of serum Ig

• Major Ig in seromucous secretions – saliva,

colostrum, breast milk, bronchial and
genitourinary secretions

• Monomer in serum, dimer in secretions

• Secretory IgA
Secretory IgA
Electronmicrograph of IgA molecules
IgD
 IgD

• Trace levels in serum (<1%)

• Large quantities on B cell surfaces

• Ag-triggered differentiation of B cells

IgE
 IgE
• Trace levels in serum

• But high levels in allergies

• Present on basophils and mast cells

• Immunity to worms

• Induces allergies like asthma

 FUNCTIONS OF ANTIBODIES

DIRECT EFFECTS INDIRECT EFFECTS

3. Toxin neutralization 3. Activation of complement

4. Preventing viral 4. Opsonization

entry 5. Degranulation of mast
5. Agglutination of cells
bacteria
 Ag challenge

Lag Log Plateau Decline

Antibody
level
 IgG

IgG
IgM IgM
 COMPLEMENT
- Approx. 30 serum molecules
- Nearly 10% of total serum proteins
- One of body’s major defence systems

Innate Acquired

1. Control chemotaxis and inflammatory reactions

2. Clearance of immune complexes
3. Cellular activation
4. Antimicrobial defence
How is Complement Activated ? – 3 Pathways

1. Classical Pathway – Activated by antibody bound to antigen

2. Alternative Pathway – Activated by various microbes

3. Lectin Pathway – Activated by carbohydrates

All three pathways result in activation of complement C3,

after which the rest of the reaction follows
 Classical pathway Alternative pathway
Microbial surface
Ag-Ab binding

C3

C3b
C3a
C5-C9
Lectin Pathway
MAC
Microbial cell wall

MAC = Membrane Attack Complex

1. Lysis of target cells
Insertion of MAC into lipid bilayers of bacteria, viruses, RBC
Osmotic disruption of target cells and lysis
2. Chemotaxis
Attraction of polymorphs & macrophages by C’ fragments

3. Opsonization and cell activation

C’ bind to target cells

Phagocytes bind to C’

Increased phagocytosis and activation

No. Date TOPIC TUTOR

1 20.9 The Immune System Prof. Raj

2 20.9 Organs and Cells of the Immune System Dr. Raja’a

3 21.9 The Major Histocompatibility Complex Prof. Raj

4 21.9 Antigens and Antigen Presentation Prof. Raj

5 22.9 Humoral Immunity Prof. Raj

6 25.9 Antibody Functions and Complement Prof. Raj

7 25.9 T cell Receptors and Cell-mediated Prof. Raj

Immunity