In: Biology
How do the BCR and TCR receptors and the MHC protein receptors interact for the lymphocyte identification of the antigen?
The lymphocytes are of two types generally which are the T-helper cells(Th) and the Cytotoxic T lymphocytes(CTL). These lymphocytes identify the antigens when they are presented by antigens by the MHC receptors. The MHC class 1 receptors present the antigen to the CTL and the MHC class 2 receptors present the antigen to the Th cells. These MHC receptors interact with the T cell receptors (TCR) present on the T cells and hence help in the identification of the antigen by the T lymphocytes. These MHC molecules are present on the Antigen presenting cells(APC) such as macrophages, B cells and dendritic cells. The MHC class 2 receptor is present on these APC. The circulating pathogen is taken up these APCs and mainly by the B cells through the B cell receptor (BCR) and these pathogens are processed so that only a part of the pathogen is presented to the Th cells in the form of antigen. The MHC class 1 molecule are present on the Altered self cells(ASC) such as the NK cells which process the viral particles and present these antigens to the CTL through the class 1 MHC molecule.In this way all the receptors of the immune system help in the identification of the antigen by the lymphocyte.
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