MadSci Network: Immunology |
[Note to expert: Two versions of this question were submitted by the same person. I have included both here, because they are asking different questions about the same topic. --SM] Question1: I have found some reference to the k and b haplotype in some papers but am not sure what it means. I have found that mice with both the k and b haplotype have similar responses to erythrocyte antigens. (This was determined using the haemagglutination test). But mice with k haplotype were able to respond to protein antigens while the b haplotype was unable to. My guess is that answer lies in relation to the MHC class I and MHC class II responses. Maybe MHC class I is responsible for the erythrocyte antigens while MHC II is responsible for the protein antigens. Also the mouse with the b haploytype is missing the E-alpha H-2 complex - does this relate to its response to the protein antigens? Question 2: What is the difference in the immune response to erythroctye antigens (eg Sheep Red blood cell in mice) and Protein Antigens (eg hen egg lysozyme in mice). I have found some reference to MHC haplotypes, and one strain of the mice was haplotype b while the other two types were haplotype k. What does this mean? The strain of mice with haplotype b were also deficient in the E-alpha H-2 complex. The two mice with the k haplotype were able to produce antibodies that were responsive to both the sheep red blood cell and the hen egg lysozyme. The mice that were of the haplotype b could produce an antibody response only to the sheep red blood cells. This was tested using the haemagglution test, while the antibody response to HEL was tested using an ELISA. My best guess is that the response to the sheep red blood cell was mediated by IgM, which suggests that the response is MHC II independent. If this is case, why is IgM the most effective antibody in responding to foreign erythrocytes? In regards to the HEL antigen, IgM was not effective in responding,hence an MHC II dependent response is necessary, in order to induce class switching. Why is this so?
Re: MHC reponses to erythrocyte antigens vs protein antigens
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