Can antibodies act as antigen presenting cells?
Although it is well established that B lymphocytes are able to present antigen in vitro, the ability of small resting B cells to act as antigen presenting cells in vivo remains controversial.
What can act as an antigen?
Any substance that induces the immune system to produce antibodies against it is called an antigen. Any foreign invaders, such as pathogens (bacteria and viruses), chemicals, toxins, and pollens, can be antigens. Under pathological conditions, normal cellular proteins can become self-antigens.
Which cells are act as antigen presenting cells?
The main types of professional antigen-presenting cells are dendritic cells, macrophages and B cells.
Which cells are antigens?
ANTIGEN-PRESENTING CELLS
| Dendritic cells | Macrophages | |
|---|---|---|
| Antigen type | Intracellular antigens and extracellular antigens | Extracellular antigens |
| MHC molecule associated with antigen presentation | Class I MHC and class II MHC | Class II MHC |
| Co-stimulation | High level B7 expression | Low level B7 expression, induced by bacteria/cytokines |
What is mean by antigen and antibody?
Antigens are molecules capable of stimulating an immune response. Each antigen has distinct surface features, or epitopes, resulting in specific responses. Antibodies (immunoglobins) are Y-shaped proteins produced by B cells of the immune system in response to exposure to antigens.
Do antibodies bind to antigens?
Antibodies bind antigens through weak chemical interactions, and bonding is essentially non-covalent. Electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic interactions are all known to be involved depending on the interaction sites.
Is T cell an antigen-presenting cell?
Human T cells express major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens and adhesion molecules characteristic of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), and recent in vitro and in vivo evidence supports an antigen-presenting function for T cells.
What cells recognize antibodies?
Lymphocytes are one of the main types of immune cells. Lymphocytes are divided mainly into B and T cells. B lymphocytes produce antibodies – proteins (gamma globulins) that recognize foreign substances (antigen) and attach themselves to them.