IMMUNOLOGY

OVERVIEW ( MOSES
FRANKLYN DUMBUYA)
 Introduction
 Immune system is an amazing protective
mechanism which is designed to defend us
against millions of pathogenic agents.

 What is Immunity?
 Is defined as a resistance to disease, specifically
infectious diseases.
 Why Immune System So Important?
 Defense against infections
 Defense against arising transformed cells(tumor cells)
 Elimination of non-self
 Defense against invading microorganisms
 Clean up and remove damaged tissues
 Surveillance: identifies and destroys abnormal body cells
How Do We Recognize Invaders?

o MECHANISM OF NON-SELF RECONGNITION

 Basic terminologies
 Antigen- any substance that provokes an immune response.
 Epitope- is the part of the antigen that is recognized by the immune
system= antigenic determinant

Antigen

Pathogen
 How Do We Recognize Invaders?

 Our immune system can be subdivided into:

 Innate( non- specific) immune system
 Adaptive(specific) immune system

1. INNATE IMMINE MACHANISM

 External defenses
 Inflammation
 Interferons
 Complement
 NK cells

Organs of immune system

 How Do We Recognize Invaders?

2. Adaptive immune mechanism

 Antibody( Humoral) –mediated immunity( triggered by B-cells)
 Cell-mediated immunity(triggered by T-cells)

OVERVIEW

If the Innate
First line of Response by innate system could not
Microbial elimate pathogen
defense immune system Response by Adaptive
invasion
immune system

• Non-specific • Highly specific

• Innate to most cells • Acquired
CELLULAR COMPONENTS CELLULAR COMPONENTS
Microphages Lymphocytes
Neutrophils B- cells
Dendritic cells T-cells
NK cells
 How Do We Recognize Invaders?
 Innate immunity provides the initial defense against infections, and adaptive
immunity follows next to provide more specific and long-lasting protection .
 Immune cells are distributed throughout the body, but are highly
concentrated in the blood and lymphatic tissues.

Antigen

 Immune cells bear sensors against determinants

 How Do We Recognize Invaders?

 Leucocytes
 Less than 1% of total blood volume
 General function: major cells of the immune system, internal
defense against foreign cells, remove debris, destroy
cancerous cells.
 Type
 Neutrophils
 Basophils
Granulocytes
 Eosinophils
 Lymphocytes
Non granulocytes
 Monocytes
 Functions of the WBCs
 Neutrophils- phagocytic
 Engulf and destroys bacteria
 Clean up debris
 lymphocytes
 B-lymphocytes(B -cells)- produce antibodies against foreign cells or viruses
 T-lymphocytes(T-cells)- kill infected cells, cancerous cells
 Monocytes –phagocytic
 Clean up debris, foreign materials
 Eosinophils
 Attack and kill parasites
 Allergic reactions
 Basophils
 Produce two chemicals
 Histamine : allergic reactions, inflammatory response
 Heparin : fat removal, prevent clotting(anticoagulant)
 The Immune Response to Pathogen Invasion

 Pathogen is a disease causing(producing) microorganism such as

bacteria or virus.
 The immune response to pathogen invasion is a multi-leveled
approach.
1. Innate immune responses
 The first and second lines of defense to keep pathogens out and
non-specifically target foreign substances in the body.
 First line of defense: external boundaries
 Second line of defense: chemical and cellular responses to
anything foreign that is able to get into the body.
 Innate Immune Responses
(Non- Specific Response)

 External Defenses
 prevent pathogen from the body
 Located on epithelial surfaces
SKIN
 Keratinized epidermis, impermeable to most substances
 Langerhans cells can recognize pathogens alert the immune
system
 External Defenses: Mucous Membranes

 Mucus membrane line the external epithelial surfaces to remove

debris and prevent pathogens growth.
Digestive tract:
 Saliva contains antimicrobial enzymes
 Sticky mucus traps particles
 Stomach acid kills bacteria
 Good bacteria suppress growth of harmful bacteria.
Urogenital tract:
 Sticky mucus traps particles
 Acidic urine and virginal secretions prevent bacteria growth.
Respiratory tracts:
 Sticky mucus traps particles
 Hair filters particles
 Microphages and particles alveoli are sweep away by the cilia
 Cough and sneeze reflex propels irritants out.
 Inflammation

 Inflammation: a non-specific response to tissue injury or foreign invasion, involving

phagocytic cells and plasma proteins that isolate, clean up and repair the area.
 components

 Microphages
 Mast cells/histamines
 Clotting factors
 Chemotaxins
 monocytes
 Neutrophils
Stages& signs of inflammation
 Injury( example, bacteria filled sharp object :breaks open skin)

1.Microphages
 Early immediate phagocytosis of microbes and debris
 Secret chemicals to alert immune response: Chemotaxins, cytokines
2.Mast cells release Histamines
 Cause vasodilation to increase blood flow ( REDNESS, HEAT)
 Increase capillary permeability( SWELLING, PAIN)
Inflammation( stages& signs of inflammation)

3. Clotting cascade
 Initiated as proteins can enter injury site
4. Chemotaxins attract more immune cells to enter injury site
5. Monocytes and neutrophils
 Engulf and destroy pathogens(dead leukocytes= white pus)
 Stick to the injury site(MARGINATION)
 Engulfing And Destroying Pathogens

 Neutrophil and macrophage destruction of bacteria

 Phagocytosis:
 Engulfs foreign material into the vacuole
 Enzymes from the lysosomes digest the material
Pathogen
Phagocytic cell
orientate to engulf
the pathogenic
agent

Lysosome breaks off

the pathogen
 Interferons
 Interferons are anti-viral proteins that helps the cells non specifically
target and prevent(interfere with) viral replication
 Response to detection of viral nucleic acids
 Released from any body cell infected by virus, autocrine and paracrine
effects
 Trigger virus blocking enzymes release in the body cell that breakdown
viral mRNA, inhibit viral protein synthesis
 Also:
 Reinforces immune responses generally by increasing phagocytic cells;
activating immune system
 Slows cell division and tumor growth in body cells
 Natural Killer Cells

 NK cells are specialized to non specifically detect and destroy virus

infected cells and cancerous cells
 Release chemicals called perforins that lyse the cell membranes of
targets
 Complement System
 The complement system is a cascade of molecules released that
ultimately kills infected cells by attacking cell membranes
 It compose of about 25 proteins

 Membrane attack complex forms a large channel in the membrane that

disrupts osmotic balance and causes cell to swell and burst
 Works together with other immune responses
 Adaptive Responses

 Adaptive immune response are the next level of response in case

that nonspecific defenses are not adequate.
 Target SPECIFIC pathogens that have entered the body, and
created a memory for those specific pathogens to be recognize
upon later infection.

 Adaptive responses
 Antibody/ Humoral Responses
 Cell-mediated Immunity
 B-cells And T-cells

• Adaptive immune response is mediated by B-cells and T-cells

 B-lymphocytes(B-cells)
• Born and mature in bone marrow
• Housed in lymphoid tissues
• Recognize free pathogens( bacteria, toxins, virus)
• Triggered antibody-mediated immunity
 T-lymphocytes(B-cells)
• Born mature in the bone marrow
• Housed in lymphoid tissues
• Recognize infected or cancerous cells
• Involved in Cell-Mediated Immunity
• Involving in activating total, combined immune responses
 Antigen
 Antigen are any molecule that trigger an immune response
 Cell proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, that are part of bacterial cell structure
 Bacterial released toxins
 Antigen are of two types:
 Autoantigens or self antigens present on the boy’s own cells
 Foreign antigens or non-self antigens that enter the body from outside e. g receptors
on the cell membrane of microbial organisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi
 B-cells and T-cells have specific receptors for specific antigens
 B-cell receptors(BCRs)
 T-cell receptors(TCRs)
 B-cells
 Pathogen invades the body
 Specific B-cell with antigen receptor recognizes specific pathogen
 Specific B-cell differentiate into:
 Plasma cells produce specific antibodies for that pathogen
 Memory cells: store memory of antigens to produce antibodies upon lay dormant until
second infection by the same pathogen
 B-cells( B- lymphocytes)

 B-cells are made in the bone marrow

 Became immunocompetent in the bone marrow with their receptors
( BCRs or antibodies) and later circulated to the peripheral lymphoid
tissues
 Pathogen invades the body
 Specific B-cell with pathogen receptor recognizes specific pathogen
 Specific B-cell differentiates into:
 Plasma B-cells produce specific antibodies for that pathogen .
 Memory cells: store memory of antigens to produce antibodies upon
later infection, lay dormant until the second infection by some
pathogen.

Invading bacterium
antigen
B-cell receptor
B-cell
 Antibodies
 Also called immunoglobulins are Y-shaped proteins that recognize specific
antigens
 5 types
1. IgM: stay on B-cells to act at B-cells receptors for antigen
2. IgM: MOST COMMON, secreted to respond to most antigens
3. IgE: secreted to respond to parasitic worms, allergic responses
4. IgA: secreted mostly in mucous membrane
5. IgD: stays on B-cells, function unknown
Antibodies generally cannot directly destroy pathogens but create physical barriers
or mediate destruction of pathogens:
 Neutralization : bind to toxins produced by pathogens. These prevent toxins
from affecting the cells.
 Agglutination
 Tagging for destruction
Structure of antibody
 T- cells( T-lymphocytes)
 T- lymphocytes are made in the bone marrow
 And become immunocompetent in the thymus were they received their
receptors( TCRs)
 Circulated to the peripheral lymphoid tissue
 Types of T-cells
1. Helper T-cells or inducer T-cells. These cells are also called CD4 cells
because of the presence of molecules called CD4 on their surface.
2. Cytotoxic T-cells or killer T-cells. These cells are also called CD8 calls
because of molecules called CD8 on their surface.
3. Suppressor T-cells
4. Memory T-cells
 Development Of Cell-mediated Immunity
 T- lymphocytes are the major cells that triggered cell-mediated immunity,
other cells involve are macrophages and natural killer cells, hence the
name cell-mediated immunity . Cell-mediated immunity does not involve
antibody.
 Cellular immunity is the major defense mechanism against infections by
viruses, fungi and few bacteria.
 Antigen Presenting Cells( APCs)
 Are special type of cell which induce the releasing of antigenic materials
from invading organisms and later present these materials to the helper T
cells.
 Types of APCs
 Macrophages
 Dendritic cells
 B-lymphocytes
• Among these cells, macrophages are the major APCs
Development Of Cell-mediated Immunity
 Role of APCs in cell-mediated immunity
 Invading foreign organisms are either engulfed by microphages
through phagocytosis or trapped by dendritic cells
 Antigen from these organism is digested into small peptide
products.
 These antigenic peptide products moved towards the surface of
the antigen-presenting-cells and bind to the human leukocyte
antigen(HLA) which is found in the molecule class II of major
histocompatibility complex(MHC), which situated on the surface
of the cells.
 Development Of Cell-mediated Immunity

 Major Histocompatibility Complex( MHC)

 There two types
 Class I MHC molecule
 Found on every cell in human body
 It specifically responsible for presentation of endogenous
antigens( antigens produced intracellularly) to cytotoxic T cells.
 Class II MHC molecule;
 It is found on B cells, microphages and other APCs.
 It is responsible for presenting the exogenous antigens( antigens of
bacteria or viruses which are engulfed by APCs) to helper T cells.
Development Of Cell-mediated Immunity
• Presentation of Antigen
 APCs present their class II MHC molecules together with antigen-
bond HLA to the helper T cells. These activates the helper T cells
through series of events( see fig below)
 Cellular/ cell-mediated immunity explained
further
 From the above illustrations after the helper T cell
has recongnise the antigenic determinant
( epitope) on the MHC II molecule, it binds to it
and releases cytokinesis which trigger the T cell
to proliferate ( self clone) and differentiates into
helper T cells, Cytotoxic T cells and memory T
cells( that recongnise this antigen as foreign on
later exposure).
 Note that Cellular /cell-mediated immunity
happens intracellularly while antibody/humoral
immunity functions extracellularly.
 Development Of Antibody-mediated
Immunity
 Antibodies are the gamma globulins produced by B-lymphocytes
 Humoral immunity is the major defense mechanism against bacterial infection.
 Cells taking part in antibody/humoral- mediated immunity:
 Role of Antigen Presenting Cells( APCs)
 Ingestion of foreign organisms and digestions of their antigen by the APCs are already explained.
 Presentation of Antigen
 APCs present the antigenic products bond with HLA( which is present in class II MHC molecule)
to B-cells. This activates the B-cells through series of events.
 Sequence of Events during Activation of B-cells
 B-cells receptors( BCRs) on B-cells recognize the antigen displayed on the APCs
 Recognition of antigen by the B-cells initiates a complex interaction between the BCRs and the
antigen . This reaction activates B-cells.
 At the same time the microphages( APCs) release interleukin-I, which facilitates the activation
and proliferation of B-cells.
 Transformation B cells
 Proliferated B cells are transformed into two types of cells;
 Plasma cells
 Memory cells
Development Antibody-mediated Immunity

 Role of Plasma Cells

Produce antibody that fight against foreign antigens
 Role of Memory Cells( Memory B cells)
 They remember pathogens that have been introduced
to the body so that repeat exposure can be fought more
swiftly.
 Role of helper T cells in antibody-mediated immunity
Helper T cells are simultaneously activated by antigen.
Activated helper T cells secrete two substances called interlukin-2 and B
cells growth factor, which promote;
 Proliferation of plasma cells
 Production of antibodies
Mechanism of antibody-mediated humoral
immunity
Further explanation of antibody- mediated
immunity
 Note that CD8( Cytotoxic T cells) has no part to
play in antibody/ humoral- mediated
immunity, but in cell-mediated immunity
where it recognize viral antigenic determinants
on MHC I molecule and bind to it and also
destroy cancer cells.
 Clinical immunology
 Immunodeficiency Disorders ( disorders that
affect the immune system, resulting in the
inability of the immune system to adequately
defend the body from pathogens.
 Categories of immunodeficiency disorders
 Congenital immunodeficiency disorders are
those present at birth. These disorders are
usually inherited and are very rare.
 Clinical immunology
 Aquired immunodeficiency disorders are those
that develop from a disease. E.g AIDS
 Aquired immunodeficiency syndrome is the
final stage of an HIV( Human
Immunodeficiency virus) infection.
 How does this virus render the immune system
deficient? The answer lies in the cells HIV
invades- helper T cells ( read about it)
 Clinical immunology
 An HIV test is used to determine whether a
person is infected with the virus.
 A T- cell count is a good indicator of HIV
infection's progression.
 Summary
 Inside our bodies, we have an amazing protection mechanism
called" the immune system',which is designed to defend us
against millions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, toxins and
parasites.
 There are three lines of defense against pathogens
 The first two lines are innate( nonspecific) defenses, while the
third line is adaptive ( specific)
 Innate vs adaptive defenses
 Innate mechanism are widespread and function the same way
everytime
 Adaptive requires a prior exposure to pathogen so that it can
recognize, react, and remember the pathogen
 Innate is nonspecific it react to all foreign materials
 Summary
 Adaptive is specific it reacts to specific
pathogens or materials
 Innate
 External barriers include the skin and mucous
membranes
 Inflammation functions to limit the spread of
pathogens, to remove debris and damaged
tissue, and to initiate tissue repair.
 Summary
 Inflammation involves the release of vasodilators
from damaged tissue and macrophages, basophils
and the margination, diapedesis and chemotaxis of
leucocytes that phagocytize pathogens along the
way.
 Interferon
 Specific ( adaptive) immunity
 APCs present epitopes ( antigenic determinants) of
what they have sampled from external
environment on MHC molecule.
 Humoral ( cell- mediated) immunity
 Summary
 Humoral immunity is trigger by B cells producing
antibodies.
 Cellular ( cell-mediated immunity )
 Trigger by T cells
 Cytotoxic T cells directly kill cells with foreign antigens
 Helper T cells recongnise what is foreign
 Note: Both adaptive immunity need Helper T cells.
 Other type of Tcell is suppressor T cell( regulatory T
cells) which suppress an immune response. Regulatory
T cells are very vital in limiting and preventing
autoimmune responses.
SUMMARY
 Summary
 From the above you can see the difference
between cell- mediated immunity mechanism and
antibody/ humoral- mediated immunity
mechanism, try to identify the major cells that play
vital role(s) in each adaptive immune mechanism.
 Acknowledge the major role played by the helper
T cells (CD4) on both mechanism to trigger the
Cellular immune mechanism and humoral
immune mechanism.
 And try to understand the overall process of
phagocytosis
 Summary

 Recall that there are two types of major histocompatibility

complex molecule (MHC) and it is the molecule that has
the epitope on it
 MHC I has an antigenic determinant( fragment) or called it
epitope which can be recongnise by the Cytotoxic T cell, if
the antigenic fragment is a viral antigenic fragment, this on
binding with the Cytotoxic T cell trigger it to cause
apoptosis ( program cell death).
 MHC II present an antigenic determinant that can be
recongnise by the helper T cell, on binding with the helper
T cell , leading to the helper T cell to release cytokinesis
which trigger proliferation and differentiation of both B
and T cells.
 Helper T cells activate macrophages for innate
nonspecific defense such as inflammation and
fever.
 Helper T cells recongnise what is foreign and
release interleukin-2 to activate B cells and T
cells.
 Helper T cells recongnise what is foreign and
release interleukin-1 to activate cytotoxic T
cells in Cellular immunity.
 Summary

 Please have in mind that interleukin-1( IL-1)

and interleukin-2(IL-2) are a cytokine. IL-2
primarily responsible for activating T and B-
cells. IL-1 with other cytokine like interleukin-6
are mediator of inflammation.
 MCQs
Name the cytokines which released in response to virus infection?
a) Interferons
b) Monokines
c) Lymphokines
d) Interleukins
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Monokines, lymphokines, interleukins, and interferons are cytokines which are of low molecular
weight soluble protein or glycoprotein. Interferon is cytokines produced by cells in response to virus infections.
Name the group of pattern recognition molecules which functions exclusively as a signaling receptor?
a) CRP
b) Toll-like receptor
c) MBL
d) LPS
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Toll-like receptor functions exclusively as a signaling receptor and is a pattern recognition molecule.
It was identified as a protein involved in the formation of dorso-ventral polarity in developing fly embryos.

Innate immunity present since birth and it has no memory.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Innate immunity is the natural immunity, which is present for the birth and it operated
against any foreign molecules and pathogens. It provides the first line of defense and is not specific in
nature.
Which of the following compounds is NOT found in tears?
a) Lysozyme
b) Lactoferin
c) IgA
d) IgE
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: IgE participates in hypersensitivity reactions, but not present in tears. Tears are the
secretion of lacrimal gland and also know as lacrimal fluid consists of lysozyme, lactoferrin, and IgA.

Name the macrophages which are associated central nervous system.
a) Alveolar macrophages
b) Kupffer cell
c) Mesangial
d) Microglial cells
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Macrophages are phagocytic in nature and is derived from blood monocytes. They have a variety
of forms like kupffer cells in the liver, mesangial in the kidney, and alveolar macrophages in the lung.
Name the molecule which constitutively expressed on the dendritic cell?
a) Class I MHC
b) Class II MHC
c) APC
d) Antigen
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Dendritic cells arise from both myeloid and lymphoid lineages. Inspite of their differences, they
all express high level of class II MHC and act as an antigen presenting cells.
Which of the following is NOT the characteristics of a good antigen.
a) Large in size
b) Foreignness
c) Highly complex
d) Reproduce only by binary fission
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: A good antigen is defined by its complexity and size, plus its foreignness and dosage. Large
size and highly complex antigen are considered as good and more responsive.
Which of the following antibody gives a primary immune reaction?
a) IgG
b) IgM
c) IgA
d) IgE
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The first class of antibody which provide a primary immune response is IgM followed by IgG
When the same antigen attack again, the secondary immune response generated which is provided by IgG

The ability of an organism to resist infections by the pathogens is
called___________
a) Infection
b) Hypersensitivity
c) Immunity
d) Allergy
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Immunity is the ability of an organism to resist infections
with the help of the immune system. Immunity is further divided into
two categories, i.e. innate immunity and adaptive immunity.
Name the first cell which recruited at the place of infection.
a) Nk cells
b) Basophils
c) Nutrophils
d) Macrophages
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Neutrophils are second major type of phagocytic cell which is found in abundance in blood
and have short life span.
Name the nerve stimulator which is responsible for the pain of the inflammation.
a) Bradikinins
b) Prostaglandin
c) Histamines
d) Kinins
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Kinins are the principal mediator of inflammatory response which is present in blood
plasma in an inactive form. It causes vasodilation and increased permeability of capillaries.
Which of these is NOT a characteristic feature of adaptive
immunity?
a) Immunogenic memory
b) Antigen no-specific
c) Self/ non-self recognition
d) Diversity
View Answer

Answer: b
 Explanation: Adaptive immunity is an antigen

specific immune response unlike innate immunity

which is antigen non-specific and can protect against
any antigen.
What is the origin of B-cell?
a) Pancreas
b) Liver
c) Thymus
d) Bone marrow
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: The origin and maturation of B-cell take place in the bone marrow itself
while in birds B-cells originate from bone marrow but mature in the bursa of fabricius.
4. NK cells can kill their target even in the absence of antigen.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: a
 Explanation: NK cells are natural killer cells, which use perforin and granzyme to

kill the target cell. They can destroy malignant and virus infected cells even
without the prior exposure to antigen, hence they can kill their target even without
specific antigen.
Which of the following is NOT polymorphonuclear leukocytes?

a) Eosinophils

b) Mast cell

c) Macrophages

d) Basophils

View Answer

Answer: c

Explanation: Polymorphonuclear leukocytes are those that have irregular-shaped

nuclei with more than two lobes. Their cytoplasmic matrix is rich in substances which
can kill microorganisms and increase inflammation.

Which of the following cells has a high affinity receptor for IgE?

a) Dendritic cell

b) Mast cells

c) Eosinophils

d) Basophils

View Answer
Name the dendritic cell, which does not function as antigen
presenting cell?
a) Follicular dendritic cell
b) Langerhans cell
c) Myeloid dendritic cell
d) Lymphoid dendritic cell
View Answer

Answer: a
 Explanation: Follicular dendritic cell has a different function

than antigen presenting cell as they do not arise from the

bone marrow and also do not express MHC II molecules on
their surface.
Which of these are non-professional antigen
presenting cells?
a) Macrophages
b) Dendritic cells
c) Fibroblast
d) B lymphocytes
View Answer

Answer: c
 Explanation: Antigen presenting cells (APC) is of

two types i.e. professional and non-professional

What is the name of MHC in humans?
a) HLA
b) H2
c) Adjuvants
d) Haplotype
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Genes for MHC are located on the short arm of chromosome 6 in humans. In human, it is also known as human leukocyte
antigens (HLA). MHC is glycoproteins which are expressed on all nucleated cells.
3. All the individual of the same species has the same allele of MHC genes.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: MHC is polymorphic in nature and shows genetic polymorphism by expressing different alleles of a gene. Different individuals
have different types of MHC genes. MHC genes are expressed as codominantly.
Which of the following polypeptide is important for the expression of MHC I on the cell membrane?
a) Interferons
b) β2-microglobin
c) Lymphokines
d) Interleukins
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: β2-microglobin is encoded by chromosome 15, it is always attached to α3 subunit of MHC I molecules through non-covalent
interactions. It does not have a tail.

Which MHC molecule recognizes CD8 TC cells?
a) MHC I
b) MHC II
c) MHC III
d) HLA-C
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: CD8 is a co-receptor of T-cell and is present on the T cytosolic cell. It is a
hetrodimer of α and β chains and recognizes MHC I molecule.
Name the part of processed antigen that binds to the MHC molecule and recognized by T-cells?
a) Immunoglobulin
b) Agretope
c) Epitope
d) Chaperone
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Agretope is the part of processed antigen that is attached to MHC molecule and
exposed to T-cell.
Name the cell which receives antigen presented by MHC molecule.
a) Nk cells
b) B-cells
c) T-cells
d) Macrophages
View Answer

Answer: c
 Explanation: MHC molecules present processed antigen to T-cells as T-cell receptor does not

recognize free antigen, it will recognize only those antigens which are bound to MHC
molecules.
 Name the class of MHC which is recognized by CD4 TH cell.

 a) MHC cannot recognize T cells

 b) MHC III

 c) MHC I

 d) MHC II

 View Answer

 Answer: d
 Explanation: CD4 is a monomeric single chain which recognizes MHC II molecule and is
present on T helper cell. It consists of a core extracellular domain and has three critical serine
residues on a cytoplasmic tail.

Synthesis of antibodies takes place by which of the following
cells?
a) Bone marrow cells
b) T-cells
c) B-cells
d) Lymph
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Antibodies are also called immunoglobulin, the
antigen- binding glycoproteins, which are exclusively
synthesized by B-cells and in billions of forms with different
amino acid sequences and different antigen binding sites.
ame the class of immunoglobulin which has a pentameric structure?
IgE
IgG
IgA
IgM
ew Answer

nswer: d
xplanation: IgM is the first antibody to produce during the primary response to antigen and it is also the first antibody
hich is made by the developing B-cells. It is composed of five units and formed pentameric structure with a J-chain.
Which of these immunoglobulins is present in external secretion?
IgG
IgM
IgA
IgE
ew Answer

nswer: c
xplanation: IgA is the predominant immunoglobulin which is present in the external secretion such as saliva, breast
ed, tears, and mucus. It constitutes 10-15% of total immunoglobin in serum.
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Which of the following amino acid is found in the hinge region?
a) Alanine
b) Aspargine
c) Proline and cysteine
d) Phenylalanine
View Answer

Answer: c
 Explanation: Hinge region is found in IgG, IgA, and IgD to provide flexibility in its structure.

These regions are rich in proline and cysteine and basically found between two Fab arms of the
Y-shaped antibody.
 Which immunoglobulin can pass through placenta?

 a) IgD

 b) IgE

 c) IgM

 d) IgG

 View Answer

 Answer: d
 Explanation: IgG is the only antibody which can pass through the placenta, except IgG2 all other
subtypes of IgG can cross the placenta and transfer immunity from mother to fetus.

Which of the following is responsible for B-cell activation?
a) Infection
b) Antibody
c) Antigen
d) Allergy
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The activation of mature B-cell is done by antigen.
When antigen come in contact with B-cells, it undergoes clonal
proliferation and divided into memory cells and plasma cells.
 advertisement
What is the meaning of thymus independent B-cell activation?
a) Without the participation of T-cell
b) Do not mature in the thymus
c) Thymus would not take part in its activation
d) Affinity maturation takes place in the thymus
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: In thymus independent B-cell pathway, antigen activates B-cell without the participation of
TH cell. Response generated by thymus independent antigens only generate IgM and do not give rise to
memory.
3. Which of the following acts as a coreceptor for B-cell activation?
a) CD28
b) IL-2
c) IgA
d) CD19
View Answer

Answer: d
 Explanation: CD19, CD81, and CD21 are present on the B-cell membrane and known as a B-cell

coreceptor. These receptors are used to determine a cell’s identity and for transducing signals.
Name the cytokines which act as a T-cell growth factor?
a) IL-3
b) IL-2
c) IL-4
d) IL-5
View Answer

Answer: b
 Explanation: Cytokines released by T-helper cells and

have several functions like IL-2 act as T-cell growth

factor while IL-4 and IL-5 help in B-cell activation, IL-3
involved in hematopoiesis and secreted by both TH1
and TH2 subset of T-helper cell
MANY THANKS
Know the basics of immunology
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