B AND T CELL EPITOPS

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 B Cell Epitopes:

  • Structure: B cell epitopes are regions on an antigen that are recognized by B cell receptors or antibodies. They can be either linear (sequential) or conformational (discontinuous). Linear epitopes consist of a sequence of amino acids in a row, while conformational epitopes are formed by amino acids that are brought together in the three-dimensional structure of the protein.

  • Function: B cell epitopes are crucial for the humoral immune response. When B cells recognize an epitope, they become activated, undergo class switching, affinity maturation, and differentiate into plasma cells that produce antibodies specific to that epitope.

T Cell Epitopes:

  • Structure: T cell epitopes are short sequences of amino acids (usually 8-17 residues) that are presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules on the surface of cells. These epitopes can be derived from internal proteins of pathogens or altered self-proteins, such as those from virus-infected or cancerous cells.

  • Function: T cell epitopes are essential for the cell-mediated immune response. T cells recognize these epitopes in the context of MHC molecules, leading to the activation of T cells. CD8+ T cells (cytotoxic T cells) recognize epitopes presented by MHC class I molecules, while CD4+ T cells (helper T cells) recognize epitopes presented by MHC class II molecules.

Both B cell and T cell epitopes are vital for the immune system's ability to recognize and respond to pathogens, ensuring a targeted and effective defense mechanism.

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