There are two types of MHC proteins: (1)MHC I proteins, which present

antigens to cytotoxic T cells,

(2) MHC II proteins, which present antigens to T helper cells.

 The antigens on the surface of antigenpresenting cells bind with receptor molecules on the surfaces of T cells in the same way that they bind with plasma protein antibodies. These receptor molecules are composed of a variable unit similar to the variable portion of the humoral antibody, but its stem section is firmly bound to the cell membrane of the T lymphocyte. There are as many as 100,000 receptor sites on a single T Lymphocyte.

Different Types of T Cells and Their Different Functions

(1)helper T cells, (2) cytotoxic T cells, (3) suppressorT cells. Helper T CellsTheir Role in Overall Regulation of Immunity Helper T cells are most numerous of the T cells, usually constituting more than three quarters of all of them.

Helper T Cells
Serve as the major regulator of all immune functions by forming a series of protein mediators called lymphokines,.

 Among the impt lymphokines secreted by the helper T cells are: Interleukin-2 Interleukin-3 Interleukin-4 Interleukin-5 Interleukin-6 Granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor Interferon-gamma

Specific Regulatory Functions of the Lymphokines.

Absence of the lymphokines from the helper T cells, remainder of the immune system is almost paralyzed.

Helper T cells are inactivated or destroyed by the (AIDS) virus, leaves the body unprotected against infectious disease,

Specific regulatory functions of Helper T cells

Stimulation of Growth and Proliferation of Cytotoxic Cells and Suppressor T Cells. interleukin-2 .
Stimulation of B-Cell Growth and Differentiation to Form Plasma Cells and Antibodies interleukins 4, 5, and 6 also known as B-cell stimulating factors.

 Activation of the Macrophage System Slow or stop the migration of the macrophages great accumulation of macrophages in inflamed area.

Activate the macrophages to cause far more efficient phagocytosis.

 Feedback Stimulatory Effect on the Helper Cells Themselves.

Interleukin-2, have a direct +ve feedback effect in stimulating activation of the helper T cells themselves.

Cytotoxic T Cells Cytotoxic T cells or killer cell are T lymphocytes directly attack & kill other cells. They are particularly responsive to Cells of transplanted tissues & organs, Cancer cells Host cells that are infected with viruses,

 Cytotoxic cell recognizes a complex of antigen and MHC-I protein on a diseased or foreign cell or antigen presenting cell. Receptor proteins on the surfaces of the cytotoxic cells bind tightly to those organisms or cells that contain the appropriate binding-specific antigen.

 After binding, the cytotoxic T cell secretes: (1) hole forming protien called perforins punch round holes in the memb of the attacked cell. Fluid flows rapidly into the cell from the interstitial space attacked cell becomes greatly swollen, dissolves. Cytotoxic T cell releases cytotoxic substances directly into the attacked cell.

 (2) Lymphotoxin, destroys the target cells DNA (3) Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) kills cancer cells & stimulates fever,leukopoiesis,& eosinophil activity. (4) interferon, inhibits the replication of viruses, (5) interleukins regulate macrophage activity, .

APC 1. Antigen recognition

Costimulation protein MHC protein Antigen TC or TH

2. Costimulation

TC 3. Clonal selection

TH

TC TH 4. Lethal hit MHC-I protein

APC

 Suppressor T cells suppressing the functions of both cytotoxic & helper T cells.

Suppressor T Cells

Suppressor T cell preventing the cytotoxic T cells from causing excessive immune reactions that might be damaging to the bodys own tissues . Suppressor cells & helper T cells, are regulatory

T cells. Suppressor T-cell syst plays an impt role in tolerance.

limiting the ability of the immune system to attack a persons own body tissues, called immune

Tolerance of the Acquired Immunity System to Own Tissues

Immune mechanism normally recognizes a persons own tissues being distinctive from bacteria or viruses, and forms few antibodies or activated T cells against his or her own antigens. Most tolerance develops during preprocessing of T lymphocytes in the thymus & B lymphocytes in the bone marrow.

 During the preprocessing of lymphocytes all or most of those clones of lymphocytes that are specific to damage the bodys own tissues are self-destroyed.

Failure of the Tolerance Mechanism Causes Autoimmune Diseases. Sometimes people lose their immune tolerance of their own tissues.
It occurs after destruction of some of the bodys own tissues releases selfantigens circulate in the body cause acquired immunity

Several specific diseases that result from autoimmunity (1) Rheumatic fever

(2)Glomerulonephritis (3) Myasthenia gravis (4)Lupus erythematosus,

Immunization by Injection of Antigens

1.By njecting dead organisms not capable of causing disease but have chemical antigens. It is used against typhoid fever, whooping cough, diphtheria,& other bacterial diseases. 2.Immunity can be achieved against toxins that treated with chemicals. It is used in immunization against tetanus & botulism.

 Person can be immunized by being infected with live organisms that have been attenuated. This is used to protect against poliomyelitis, yellow fever, measles, smallpox, and many other viral diseases.

Passive Immunity
Done by infusing antibodies, activated T cells, or both that has been actively immunized against the antigen. Antibodies last in the body of the recipient for 2-3 weeks, & during that time, the person is protected against the invading disease. Activated T cells last for a few weeks if transfused from another person & only for a few hrs to a few days if transfused from an animal.