3. B cell epitopes
B-cell epitope recognition. B-cell epitopes are
solvent-exposed portions of the antigen that
bind to secreted and cell-bound
immunoglobulins. B-cell receptors
encompass cell-bound immunoglobulins,
consisting of two heavy chains and two light
chains. The different chains and regions are
annotated.
4. T cell epitopes
T-cell epitope recognition. T-cell
epitopes are peptides derived from
antigens and recognized by the T-
cell receptor (TCR) when bound to
MHC molecules displayed on the
cell surface of APCs. (a) CD4 T-cells
express the CD4 coreceptor, which
binds to MHC II, and recognize
peptides presented by MHC II
molecules. (b) CD8 T-cells express
the CD8 coreceptor, which binds to
MHC I, and recognize peptides
presented by MHC I molecules
5. • Signalling antigen receptors on B cells - bifunctional antigen-binding
secreted molecules
• Structural conservation and infinite variability - domain structure.
• The Immunoglobulin Gene Superfamily
• The immunoglobulin fold
• Framework and complementarity determining regions - hypervariable
loops
• Modes of interactions with antigens
• Effector mechanisms and isotype – role of the Fc.
• Multimeric antibodies and multimerisation
• Characteristics and properties of each Ig isotype
• Ig receptors and their functions
Topic 1
Immunoglobulin Structure-Function Relationship
Outline of Lectures
6. • Cell surface antigen receptor on B cells
Allows B cells to sense their antigenic environment
Connects extracellular space with intracellular signalling
machinery
• Secreted antibody
Neutralisation
Arming/recruiting effector cells
Complement fixation
Immunoglobulin Structure-Function Relationship
7. Immunoglobulins are Bifunctional Proteins
• Immunoglobulins must interact with a small number of
specialised molecules -
Fc receptors on cells
Complement proteins
Intracellular cell signalling molecules
• - whilst simultaneously recognising an infinite array of
antigenic determinants.
8. • Structural conservation and a capacity for infinite variability in a
single molecule is provided by a DOMAIN structure.
• Ig domains are derived from a single ancestral gene that has
duplicated, diversified and been modified to endow an
assortment of functional qualities on a common basic structure.
• Ig domains are not restricted to immunoglobulins.
• The most striking characteristic of the Ig domain is a disulphide
bond - linked structure of 110 amino acids long.
Immunoglobulin domains
9. The genes encoding Ig domains are not
restricted to Ig genes.
Although first discovered in
immunoglobulins, they are found in a
superfamily of related genes, particularly
those encoding proteins crucial to cell-cell
interactions and molecular recognition
systems.
IgSF molecules are found in most cell types
and are present across taxonomic
boundaries
Ig gene superfamily - IgSF
10. S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
Fc Fab
F(ab)2
Domains are folded, compact, protease resistant structures
Domain Structure of Immunoglobulins
Pepsin cleavage sites - 1 x (Fab)2 & 1 x Fc
Papain cleavage sites - 2 x Fab 1 x Fc
Light chain C
domains
k or l
Heavy chain C
domains
a, d, e, g, or m
21. The Immunoglobulin Fold
The characteristic structural motif of all Ig domains
Barrel under construction
A barrel made of a sheet of staves
arranged in a folded over sheet
A b barrel of 7 (CL) or 8 (VL) polypeptide
strands connected by loops and
arranged to enclose a hydrophobic
interior
Single VL domain
22. Unfolded VL region showing 8 antiparallel b-pleated sheets
connected by loops.
NH2
COOH
S S
The Immunoglobulin Fold
23. • Immunoglobulins must interact with a finite number of
specialised molecules -
Easily explained by a common Fc region irrespective of specificity
• - whilst simultaneously recognising an infinite array of
antigenic determinants.
In immunoglobulins, what is the structural basis for the
infinite diversity needed to match the antigenic universe?
Immunoglobulins are Bifunctional Proteins
24. Amino acid No.
Variability
80
100
60
40
20
20 40 60 80 100 120
Cytochromes C
Variability of amino acids in related proteins
Wu & Kabat 1970
Amino acid No.
Variability
80
100
60
40
20
20 40 60 80 100 120
Human
Ig heavy
chains
25. FR1 FR2 FR3 FR4
CDR2 CDR3
CDR1
• Distinct regions of high variability and conservation led to the concept
of a FRAMEWORK (FR), on which hypervariable regions were
suspended.
Framework and Hypervariable regions
Amino acid No.
Variability
80
100
60
40
20
20 40 60 80 100 120
• Most hypervariable regions coincided with antigen contact points -
the COMPLEMENTARITY DETERMINING REGIONS (CDRs)
27. Space-filling model of (Fab)2, viewed from above,
illustrating the surface location of CDR loops
Light chains Green and brown
Heavy chains Cyan and blue
CDRs Yellow
28. • The framework supports the hypervariable loops
• The framework forms a compact b barrel/sandwich with a
hydrophobic core
• The hypervariable loops join, and are more flexible than, the b
strands
• The sequences of the hypervariable loops are highly variable
amongst antibodies of different specificities
• The variable sequences of the hypervariable loops influences
the shape, hydrophobicity and charge at the tip of the antibody
• Variable amino acid sequence in the hypervariable loops
accounts for the diversity of antigens that can be recognised by
a repertoire of antibodies
Hypervariable loops and framework: Summary
29. Antigens vary in size and complexity
Protein:
Influenza haemagglutinin
Hapten:
5-(para-nitrophenyl phosphonate)-
pentanoic acid.
30. Antibodies interact with
antigens in a variety of ways
Antigen inserts into a pocket in
the antibody
Antigen interacts
with an extended
antibody surface or
a groove in the
antibody surface
32. 30 strongly neutralising McAb
60 strongly neutralising McAb Fab regions 60 weakly neutralising McAb Fab regions
Human Rhinovirus 14
- a common cold virus
30nm
Models of
Human
Rhinovirus 14
neutralised by
monoclonal
antibodies
33. Electron micrographs of Antibodies and
complement opsonising Epstein Barr
Virus (EBV)
Negatively stained EBV
EBV coated with a corona of
anti-EBV antibodies
EBV coated with antibodies and activated
complement components
34. Antibody + complement- mediated
damage to E. coli
Healthy E. coli
Electron micrographs of the effect of antibodies and
complement upon bacteria
35. Non-covalent forces in
antibody - antigen interactions
Electrostatic forces Attraction between opposite charges
Hydrogen bonds Hydrogens shared between electronegative atoms
Van der Waal’s forces Fluctuations in electron clouds around molecules
oppositely polarise neighbouring atoms
Hydrophobic forces Hydrophobic groups pack together to exclude
water (involves Van der Waal’s forces)
36. Why do antibodies need an Fc region?
• Detect antigen
• Precipitate antigen
• Block the active sites of toxins or pathogen-associated
molecules
• Block interactions between host and pathogen-associated
molecules
The (Fab)2 fragment can -
• Inflammatory and effector functions associated with cells
• Inflammatory and effector functions of complement
• The trafficking of antigens into the antigen processing
pathways
but can not activate
37. Structure and function of the Fc region
IgA IgD IgG
CH2
IgE IgM
The hinge region is replaced by an
additional Ig domain
Fc structure is common to all specificities of antibody within an ISOTYPE
(although there are allotypes)
The structure acts as a receptor for complement proteins and a ligand for cellular
binding sites
38. Monomeric IgM
IgM only exists as a monomer on the surface of B cells
Cm4 contains the transmembrane and cytoplasmic regions. These are removed by RNA
splicing to produce secreted IgM
Monomeric IgM has a very low affinity for antigen
Cm2
N.B. Only constant
heavy chain domains
are shown
39. Cm3 binds C1q to initiate activation of the classical complement pathway
Cm1 binds C3b to facilitate uptake of opsonised antigens by macrophages
Cm4 mediates multimerisation (Cm3 may also be involved)
Cm2
N.B. Only constant
heavy chain domains
are shown
Polymeric IgM
IgM forms pentamers and hexamers
40. Multimerisation of IgM
C
m
2
C
C
Cm4
C
m
4
s s
1. Two IgM monomers in the ER
(Fc regions only shown)
2. Cysteines in the J chain
form disulphide bonds
with cysteines from each
monomer to form a dimer
3. A J chain detaches
leaving the dimer
disulphide bonded.
4. A J chain captures another
IgM monomer and joins it
to the dimer.
5. The cycle is repeated
twice more
6. The J chain remains
attached to the IgM
pentamer.
41. Antigen-induced conformational changes in IgM
Planar or ‘Starfish’ conformation found in
solution.
Does not fix complement
Staple or ‘crab’ conformation of IgM
Conformation change induced by
binding to antigen.
Efficient at fixing complement
42. IgM facts and figures
Heavy chain: m - Mu
Half-life: 5 to 10 days
% of Ig in serum: 10
Serum level (mgml-1): 0.25 - 3.1
Complement activation: ++++ by classical pathway
Interactions with cells: Phagocytes via C3b receptors
Epithelial cells via polymeric Ig receptor
Transplacental transfer: No
Affinity for antigen: Monomeric IgM - low affinity - valency of 2
Pentameric IgM - high avidity - valency of 10
43. IgD facts and figures
IgD is co-expressed with IgM on B cells due to differential RNA splicing
Level of expression exceeds IgM on naïve B cells
IgD plasma cells are found in the nasal mucosa - however the function of IgD in host
defence is unknown - knockout mice inconclusive
Ligation of IgD with antigen can activate, delete or anergise B cells
Extended hinge region confers susceptibility to proteolytic degradation
Heavy chain: d - Delta
Half-life: 2 to 8 days
% of Ig in serum: 0.2
Serum level (mgml-1): 0.03 - 0.4
Complement activation: No
Interactions with cells: T cells via lectin like IgD receptor
Transplacental transfer: No
44. IgA dimerisation and secretion
IgA is the major isotype of antibody secreted at mucosal sufaces
Exists in serum as a monomer, but more usually as a J chain-linked dimer, that is
formed in a similar manner to IgM pentamers.
J
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
s s
IgA exists in two subclasses
IgA1 is mostly found in serum and made by bone marrow B cells
IgA2 is mostly found in mucosal secretions, colostrum and milk and is made by B cells
located in the mucosae
45. Epithelial
cell
J
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
s s
Secretory IgA and transcytosis
B
J
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
ss
J
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
s s
J
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
s s
pIgR & IgA are
internalised
‘Stalk’ of the pIgR is degraded to release IgA
containing part of the pIgR - the secretory
component
J
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
s s
IgA and pIgR are
transported to
the apical
surface in
vesicles
B cells located in the submucosa
produce dimeric IgA
Polymeric Ig receptors
are expressed on the
basolateral surface of
epithelial cells to capture
IgA produced in the
mucosa
46. IgA facts and figures
Heavy chains: a1 or a2 - Alpha 1 or 2
Half-life: IgA1 5 - 7 days
IgA2 4 - 6 days
Serum levels (mgml-1): IgA1 1.4 - 4.2
IgA2 0.2 - 0.5
% of Ig in serum: IgA1 11 - 14
IgA2 1 - 4
Complement activation: IgA1 - by alternative and lectin pathway
IgA2 - No
Interactions with cells: Epithelial cells by pIgR
Phagocytes by IgA receptor
Transplacental transfer: No
To reduce vulnerability to microbial proteases the hinge region of IgA2 is truncated, and in
IgA1 the hinge is heavily glycosylated.
IgA is inefficient at causing inflammation and elicits protection by excluding, binding, cross-
linking microorganisms and facilitating phagocytosis
47. IgE facts and figures
IgE appears late in evolution in accordance with its role in protecting against parasite
infections
Most IgE is absorbed onto the high affinity IgE receptors of effector cells
IgE is also closely linked with allergic diseases
Heavy chain: e - Epsilon
Half-life: 1 - 5 days
Serum level (mgml-1): 0.0001 - 0.0002
% of Ig in serum: 0.004
Complement activation: No
Interactions with cells: Via high affinity IgE receptors expressed
by mast cells, eosinophils, basophils
and Langerhans cells
Via low affinity IgE receptor on B cells
and monocytes
Transplacental transfer: No
48. The high affinity IgE receptor (FceRI)
a chain
b chain
g2
S S
S S
S S
The IgE - FceRI interaction is
the highest affinity of any Fc
receptor with an extremely
low dissociation rate.
Binding of IgE to FceRI
increases the half life of IgE
Ce3 of IgE interacts with the a
chain of FceRI causing a
conformational change.
49. IgG facts and figures
Heavy chains: g 1 g 2 g3 g4 - Gamma 1 - 4
Half-life: IgG1 21 - 24 days IgG2 21 - 24 days
IgG3 7 - 8 days IgG4 21 - 24 days
Serum level (mgml-1): IgG1 5 - 12 IgG2 2 - 6
IgG3 0.5 - 1 IgG4 0.2 - 1
% of Ig in serum: IgG1 45 - 53 IgG2 11 - 15
IgG3 3 - 6 IgG4 1 - 4
Complement activation: IgG1 +++ IgG2 +
IgG3 ++++ IgG4 No
Interactions with cells: All subclasses via IgG receptors on macrophages
and phagocytes
Transplacental transfer: IgG1 ++ IgG2 +
IgG3 ++ IgG4 ++
50. Carbohydrate is essential for
complement activation
Subtly different hinge regions
between subclasses accounts for
differing abilities to activate
complement
C1q binding motif is
located on the Cg2 domain
51. Fcg receptors
Receptor Cell type Effect of ligation
FcgRI Macrophages Neutrophils,
Eosinophils, Dendritic cells Uptake, Respiratory burst
FcgRIIA Macrophages Neutrophils,
Eosinophils, Platelets
Langerhans cells Uptake, Granule release
FcgRIIB1 B cells, Mast Cells No Uptake, Inhibition of stimulation
FcgRIIB2 Macrophages Neutrophils,
Eosinophils Uptake, Inhibition of stimulation
FcgRIII NK cells, Eosinophils,
Macrophages, Neutrophils
Mast cells Induction of killing (NK cells)
High affinity Fcg receptors from the Ig superfamily: