Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
09:47
Generation of Human Alloantigen-specific T Cells from Peripheral Blood
Published on: November 21, 2014
Diversity of T-cell responses
Sean P Stromberg1, Jean M Carlson
1Department of Physics, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA. stromberg@physics.ucsb.edu
Physical Biology
|March 16, 2013
Summary
This study models adaptive immunity to sequential infections. Original antigenic sin can reduce pathogen load and immunopathology, suggesting effector affinity isn't the best measure of immune response quality.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Computational Biology
- Mathematical Modeling
Background:
- Adaptive immune responses are crucial for fighting infections.
- Sequential infections present complex challenges to the immune system.
- Understanding immune memory and its limitations is vital for vaccine development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the adaptive immune response to a sequence of two infections using a dynamic model.
- To explore the impact of lymphocyte diversity on immune responses.
- To analyze the phenomenon of original antigenic sin and its consequences.
Main Methods:
- Developed a dynamic model incorporating continuous distributions of lymphocyte populations in multi-dimensional space.
- Simulated homologous (identical) and heterologous (different) secondary infections.
- Modeled immunopathology arising from the immune system's actions.
Main Results:
- Memory cells from primary infection accelerated response to homologous secondary infection.
- Memory cells had variable effects on heterologous infections, depending on similarity.
- Observed original antigenic sin, with reduced average effector affinity but lower pathogen density.
- Found reduced immunopathology even in cases of original antigenic sin.
- Demonstrated that 'effectivity' (total pathogen killing rate) is a superior measure of immune response quality over average effector affinity.
Conclusions:
- Lymphocyte diversity and memory responses significantly influence outcomes of sequential infections.
- Original antigenic sin, while altering effector affinity, can beneficially reduce pathogen load and immunopathology.
- Immune response quality should be assessed by effectivity, which integrates both affinity and magnitude, rather than solely by average effector affinity.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Diversity of Antigen Receptors
Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
01:22T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
01:20Special Features of Adaptive Immunity
The adaptive immune system, a crucial component of the overall immune response, offers a highly specialized defense against pathogens. It involves specific cell types and features, enabling it to combat infections effectively and efficiently.
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...
01:24B Cell Activation and Differentiation
The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
01:22Diversity in Cell Signaling Responses
The physiological function of a cell and cellular communication are outcomes of a range of extrinsic signals, intracellular signaling pathways, and cellular responses. No two cell types express the same repertoire of signaling components. Receptors are highly selective for their cognate ligands, but once activated, they can alter multiple cellular processes such as DNA transcription, protein synthesis, and metabolic activity.
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
Graded and Abrupt Responses
Some signaling systems generate...
01:23Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...