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Molecular Components of the Immune System
Patient Education
- Biology of the Immune System
- Overview of the Immune System
- Cellular Components of the Immune System
- Molecular Components of the Immune System
- Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) System
- Complement System
- Immunotherapeutics
(See also Overview of the Immune System.)
The immune system consists of cellular components and molecular components that work together to destroy antigens (Ags).
Acute Phase Reactants
Acute phase reactants are plasma proteins whose levels dramatically increase (called positive acute phase reactants) or, in some cases, decrease (called negative acute phase reactants) in response to the elevated circulating levels of IL-1 and IL-6 that occur when infection or tissue damage occurs. Most dramatically increased are C-reactive protein (CRP) and mannose-binding lectin (which fix complement and act as opsonins), the transport protein alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, and serum amyloid P component. CRP and ESR are often measured; elevated levels are a nonspecific indicator suggesting infection or inflammation. Increased fibrinogen is the main reason ESR is elevated.
Many acute phase reactants are made in the liver. Collectively, they may help limit tissue injury, enhance host resistance to infection, and promote tissue repair and resolution of inflammation.
Antibodies
Antibodies (Abs) act as the antigen (Ag) receptor on the surface of B cells and, in response to Ag, are subsequently secreted by plasma cells. Abs recognize specific configurations (epitopes, or antigenic determinants) on the surfaces of Ags (eg, proteins, polysaccharides, nucleic acids). Abs and Ags fit tightly together because their shape and other surface properties (eg, charge) are complementary. The same Ab molecule can cross-react with related Ags if their epitopes are similar enough to those of the original Ag.
Antibody structure
Abs consist of 4 polypeptide chains (2 identical heavy chains and 2 identical light chains) joined by disulfide bonds to produce a Y configuration (see Figure: B-cell receptor.). The heavy and light chains are divided into a variable (V) region and a constant (C) region.
B-cell receptor.
V regions are located at the amino-terminal ends of the Y arms; they are called variable because the amino acids they contain are different in different Abs. Within the V regions, hypervariable regions determine the specificity of the Ig. They also function as antigens (idiotypic determinants) to which certain natural (anti-idiotype) Abs can bind; this binding may help regulate B-cell responses.
The C region of the heavy chains contains a relatively constant sequence of amino acids (isotype) that is distinctive for each Ig class. A B cell can change the isotype it produces and thus switch the class of Ig it produces. Because the Ig retains the variable part of the heavy chain V region and the entire light chain, it retains its antigenic specificity.
The amino-terminal (variable) end of the Ab binds to Ag to form an Ab-Ag complex. The Ag-binding (Fab) portion of Ig consists of a light chain and part of a heavy chain and contains the V region of the Ig molecule (ie, the combining sites). The crystallizable fragment (Fc) contains most of the C region of the heavy chains; Fc is responsible for complement activation and binds to Fc receptors on cells.
Antibody classes
Antibodies are divided into 5 classes:
The classes are defined by their type of heavy chain: mu (μ) for IgM, gamma (γ) for IgG, alpha (α) for IgA, epsilon (ε) for IgE, and delta (δ) for IgD. There are also 2 types of light chains: kappa (κ) and lambda (λ). Each of the 5 Ig classes can bear either kappa or lambda light chains.
IgM is the first Ab formed after exposure to new Ag. It has 5 Y-shaped molecules (10 heavy chains and 10 light chains), linked by a single joining (J) chain. IgM circulates primarily in the intravascular space; it complexes with and agglutinates Ag and can activate complement, thereby facilitating phagocytosis. Isohemagglutinins are predominantly IgM. Monomeric IgM acts as a surface Ag receptor on B cells. Patients with hyper-IgM syndrome have a defect in the genes involved in antibody class switching (eg, genes that encode CD40, CD154 [also known as CD40L], or NEMO [nuclear factor–kappa-B essential modulator]); therefore, IgA, IgG, and IgE levels are low or absent, and levels of circulating IgM are often high.
IgG is the most prevalent Ig isotype in serum and is also present in intravascular and extravascular spaces. It coats Ag to activate complement and facilitate phagocytosis by neutrophils and macrophages. IgG is the primary circulating Ig produced after reexposure to Ag (secondary immune response) and is the predominant isotype contained in commercial gamma-globulin products. IgG protects against bacteria, viruses, and toxins; it is the only Ig isotype that crosses the placenta. Therefore, this class of antibody is important for protecting neonates, but pathogenic IgG antibodies (eg, anti-Rh0[D] antibodies, stimulatory anti-TSH receptor autoantibodies), if present in the mother, can potentially cause significant disease in the fetus.
There are 4 subclasses of IgG: IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4. They are numbered in descending order of serum concentration. IgG subclasses differ functionally mainly in their ability to activate complement; IgG1 and IgG3 are most efficient, IgG2 is less efficient, and IgG4 is inefficient. IgG1 and IgG3 are efficient mediators of Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity; IgG4 and IgG2 are less so.
IgA occurs at mucosal surfaces, in serum, and in secretions (saliva; tears; respiratory, GU, and GI tract secretions; colostrum), where it provides an early antibacterial and antiviral defense. J chain links IgA into a dimer to form secretory IgA. Secretory IgA is synthesized by plasma cells in the subepithelial regions of the GI and respiratory tracts. Selective IgA deficiency is relatively common but often has little clinical impact because there is cross-functionality with other classes of antibody.
IgD is coexpressed with IgM on the surface of naive B cells. Whether these 2 classes function differently on the surface of the B cell and, if so, how differently are unclear. They may simply be an example of molecular degeneracy. Serum IgD levels are very low, and the function of circulating IgD is unknown.
IgE is present in low levels in serum and in respiratory and GI mucous secretions. IgE binds with high affinity to receptors present in high levels on mast cells and basophils and to a lesser extent on several other hematopoietic cells, including dendritic cells. If Ag bridges 2 IgE molecules bound to the mast cell or basophil surface, the cells degranulate, releasing chemical mediators that cause an inflammatory response. IgE levels are elevated in atopic disorders (eg, allergic or extrinsic asthma, hay fever, atopic dermatitis) and parasitic infections.
Cytokines
Cytokines are polypeptides secreted by immune and other cells when the cell interacts with a specific Ag, with pathogen-associated molecules such as endotoxin, or with other cytokines. Main categories include
Although lymphocyte interaction with a specific Ag triggers cytokine secretion, cytokines themselves are not Ag-specific; thus, they bridge innate and acquired immunity and generally influence the magnitude of inflammatory or immune responses. They act sequentially, synergistically, or antagonistically. They may act in an autocrine or paracrine manner.
Cytokines deliver their signals via cell surface receptors. For example, the IL-2 receptor consists of 3 chains: alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ). The receptor’s affinity for IL-2 is
Mutations or deletion of the gamma chain is the basis for X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency.
Chemokines
Chemokines induce chemotaxis and migration of leukocytes. There are 4 subsets (C, CC, CXC, CX3C), defined by the number and spacing of their amino terminal cysteine residues. Chemokine receptors (CCR5 on memory T cells, monocytes/macrophages, and dendritic cells; CXCR4 on resting T cells) act as coreceptors for entry of HIV into cells.
Colony-stimulating factors (CSF)
G-CSF is produced by endothelial cells and fibroblasts.
The main effect of G-CSF is
Clinical uses of G-CSF include
GM-CSF is produced by endothelial cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells, and THcells.
The main effects of GM-CSF are
Clinical uses of GM-CSF include
M-CSF is produced by endothelial cells, epithelial cells, and fibroblasts.
The main effect of M-CSF is
Clinical uses of M-CSF include
SCF is produced by bone marrow stromal cells.
The main effect of SCF is
Clinical uses of SCF include
Interferons
IFN-alpha is produced by leukocytes.
The main effects of IFN-alpha are
Clinical uses of IFN-alpha include
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Treatment of chronic hepatitis C, AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma, hairy cell leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, and metastatic melanoma
IFN-beta is produced by fibroblasts.
The main effects of IFN-beta are
Clinical uses of IFN-beta include
IFN-gamma is produced by NK cells, TC1 cells, and TH1 cells.
The main effects of IFN-gamma are
Clinical uses of IFN-gamma include
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Control of infection in chronic granulomatous disease
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Delay of progression in severe malignant osteopetrosis
Interleukins
IL-1 (alpha and beta) is produced by B cells, dendritic cells, endothelium, macrophages, monocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells.
The main effects of IL-1 are
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Costimulation of T-cell activation by enhancing production of cytokines (eg, IL-2 and its receptor)
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Enhancement of B-cell proliferation and maturation
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Enhancement of NK-cell cytotoxicity
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Induction of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNF, GM-CSF, and prostaglandin E2 production by macrophages
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Proinflammatory activity by inducing chemokines, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 on endothelium
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Induction of sleep, anorexia, release of tissue factor, acute phase reactants, and bone resorption by osteoclasts
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Endogenous pyrogenic activity
Clinical relevance of IL-1 includes
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For anti–IL-1 beta mAb, treatment of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes and juvenile idiopathic arthritis
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For IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), treatment of adults with moderate to severe RA and patients with neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID)
IL-2 is produced by TH1 cells.
The main effects of IL-2 are
Clinical relevance of IL-2 includes
IL-4 is produced by mast cells, NK cells, NKT cells, gamma-delta T cells, TC2 cells, and TH2 cells.
The main effects of IL-4 are
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Induction of TH2 cells
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Stimulation of activated B-, T-, and mast cell proliferation
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Upregulation of class II MHC molecules on B cells and on macrophages and CD23 on B cells
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Downregulation of IL-12 production, thereby inhibiting TH1 cell-differentiation
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Augmentation of macrophage phagocytosis
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Induction of switch to IgG1 and IgE
Clinical relevance of IL-4 includes
IL-5 is produced by mast cells and TH2 cells.
The main effects of IL-5 are
Clinical relevance of IL-5 includes
IL-6 is produced by dendritic cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, monocytes, and TH2 cells.
The main effects of IL-6 are
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Induction of differentiation of B cells into plasma cells and differentiation of myeloid stem cells
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Induction of acute phase reactants
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Enhancement of T-cell proliferation
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Induction of TC-cell differentiation
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Pyrogenic activity
Clinical relevance of IL-6 includes
IL-7 is produced by bone marrow and thymus stromal cells.
The main effects of IL-7 are
The role of IL-7 in T-cell differentiation has led to clinical trials of IL-7 as a potential immunostimulatory agent in the treatment of viral infections and cancer.
IL-8 (chemokine) is produced by endothelial cells, macrophages, and monocytes.
The main effect of IL-8 is
Clinical relevance of IL-8 includes.
IL-9 is produced by THcells.
The main effects of IL-9 are
Clinical trials of anti-IL-9 mAb in asthma have generally failed to demonstrate efficacy.
IL-10 is produced by B cells, macrophages, monocytes, TC cells, TH2 cells, and regulatory T cells.
The main effects of IL-10 are
Clinical uses of IL-10 include
IL-12 is produced by B cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, and monocytes.
The main effects of IL-12 are
Clinical relevance of IL-12 includes
IL-13 is produced by mast cells and TH2 cells.
The main effects of IL-13 are
Clinical relevance of IL-13 includes
IL-15 is produced by B cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, monocytes, NK cells, and T cells.
The main effects of IL-15 are
Clinical uses of IL-15 include
IL-17 (A and F) is produced by TH17 cells, gamma-delta T cells, NKT cells, and macrophages
The main effects of IL-17 are
Clinical relevance of IL-17 includes
IL-18 is produced by monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells.
The main effects of IL-18 are
IL-18 has been investigated as an immunotherapeutic agent in cancer, but efficacy has not been established.
IL-21 is produced by NKT cells and TH cells.
The main effects of IL-21 are
Clinical relevance of IL-21 includes
IL-22 is produced by NK cells, TH17 cells, and gamma-delta cells.
The main effects of IL-22 are
Clinical relevance of IL-22 includes
IL-23 is produced by dendritic cells and macrophages.
The main effect of IL-23 is
Clinical relevance of IL-23 includes
IL-24 is produced by B cells, macrophages, monocytes, and T cells.
The main effects of IL-24 are
Clinical uses of IL-24 include
IL-27 is produced by dendritic cells, monocytes, and macrophages.
The main effect of IL-27 is
Clinical uses of IL-27 include
IL-32 is produced by NK cells and T cells.
The main effects of IL-32 are
Clinical uses of IL-32 include
IL-33 is produced by endothelial cells, stromal cells, and dendritic cells.
The main effects of IL-33 are
Clinical relevance of IL-33 includes
IL-35 is produced by regulatory T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells.
The main effect of IL-35 is
Clinical uses of IL-35 include
Transforming growth factors (TGF)
Tumor necrosis factors (TNFs)
TNF-alpha (cachectin) is produced by B cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, mast cells, monocytes, NK cells, and TH cells.
The main effects of TNF-alpha include
Clinical relevance of TNF-alpha includes
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For TNF-alpha antagonists (mAb or soluble receptor), treatment of RA, plaque psoriasis, Crohn disease refractory to standard treatments, ulcerative colitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis
TNF-beta (lymphotoxin) is produced by TC cells, and TH1 cells.
The main effects of TNF-beta include
Clinical relevance of TNF-beta includes
Resources In This Article
- Biology of the Immune System
- Overview of the Immune System
- Cellular Components of the Immune System
- Molecular Components of the Immune System
- Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) System
- Complement System
- Immunotherapeutics
* This is the Professional Version. *
Also of Interest
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Immunodeficiency typically manifests as recurrent infections. However, there are more likely causes of recurrent infections, such as inadequate duration of antibiotic treatment, resistant organisms, and other disorders that predispose to infection. Immunodeficiency should be suspected EXCEPT when recurrent infections are which of the following?
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