Antigen Processing
and Presentation
Dr. Barasa AK
MLST 1 Lecture
211021
Introduction
• In acquired immune response, specific antigens are
recognized by:
• Antibodies – soluble or transmembrane (BCR)
• Recognize antigens on the surface of pathogens or as
soluble materials e.g. toxins
• TCR
• Recognize peptides in the context of MHC molecules on the
surface of host cells
Antigen Recognition by
Antibodies/B cells
• Recognize molecular shapes
(epitopes) on antigens
• Complementary to paratope
on Ab
• Abs recognize the topographic
surface of a protein Ag
Antigen Recognition by T cells
• TCR sees peptide antigen associated with an MHC
class I or II molecule on the surface of cells
• TC cells recognize Ag in the context of class I MHC
• TH cells recognize Ag when it is associated with class II MHC
• T cells recognize a linear peptide sequence from the
antigen (peptide lying within the MHC peptide-binding
groove)
Antigen Recognition by T cells
• Peptides are produced through antigen processing -
proteolytic cleavage of proteins into small fragments
that can bind to MHC molecules on APCs
Two compartments of the cell
Cytosol: continuous with nucleus
Vesicular system (ER, golgi,
endosomes, lysosomes):
continuous with extracellular
fluid
Intracellular pathogens Extracellular pathogens
Degraded in Cytosol Endocytic vesicles
(endogenous) (exogenous)
Peptides bind to Class I Class II
Presented to CD8 T cells CD4 T cells
Processing of Exogenous Antigen
Exogenous protein Ag is taken into the cells (endocytosis) by:
• Phagocytosis
• Pinocytosis
• Receptor-mediated endocytosis
Antigen Processing Pathway for Exogenous Antigen
Antigen Processing Pathway for Endogenous Antigen
Cross-presentation
Antigen Presentation
• T cells only recognize antigen peptides bound to MHC
molecules
• Endogenous antigens presented on MHC I molecules,
to CD8+ T cells
• Exogenous antigens presented on MHC II molecules, to
CD4+ T cells
Antigen Presentation
• Antigen presentation to T cells plays a role in initiating &
maintaining an appropriate immune response to the
antigen
• Leads to cytokine production and/or T cell proliferation
Antigen Presentation
• Tightly controlled process:
• Different types of APCs brought into play depending on the
situation; e.g. DCs are the most effective in initiating
responses (priming )
• Costimulatory molecules on APCs result in T cell activation
only when appropriate, e.g. in an infection
• Adhesion molecules contribute to the stable binding of the
cells
Antigen Presentation
• Tightly controlled process:
• Signals from the cell surface are then transmitted by a series
of signal transduction pathways that regulate gene
expression, including cytokine production
• Actions of cytokines drive cell division
