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Listen to basic introductory inforamtion about MHC and the immune system.
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Major Histocompatibility Complex
MHC introduction
What are MHCs? Normal cell surface proteins produced by most
cells. They are like ID tags for cells. They are involved in allowing T cells to
recognize self vs. nonself.
What do MHCs do? MHCs bind to peptide fragments (parts of
chopped up proteins) and display/present them on the surface of the cell.
The T cells monitor the MHCs for evidence of an invasion of a cell or for foreign cells
*B cells do not interact with MHCs.
What types of MHCs exist? Class I MHC molecules
Found on almost all nucleated cells (not RBCs) Bonds to portions of antigens (peptide fragments) Presents them on the cell surface. Cytotoxic T cells can recognize and begin specific
defense
What types of MHCs exist? Class II MHC molecules
Found on dendritic cells, macrophages, & B cells (aka Antigen-presenting cells)
Bonds to portions of antigens (peptide fragments) that have been ingested and broken down.
Presents them on the cell surface. Helper T cells can recognize and begin specific
defense
Dendritic Cell
Macrophage
Macrophages
Are my MHCs similar to others? There are many different alleles for MHCs. Most of us are heterozygous for all of our
MHCs and therefore unique (except identical twins).
Class I MHC