In: Biology
When and how does our immune system discriminate between self and nonself? What are the consequences of failed recognition of self by the adaptive immune system??
Human leukocyte antigen HLA
HLA are proteins or markers found on most cells in one's body.
The immune system uses these markers to recognise which cells belong to own body and which do not.
When does the recognition takes place
T-cells become activated when exposed to antigens on pathogens.
T-cells react with portions of antigens called antigenic determinants (epitopes). T-cells contain antigen receptors on their surface that combine with antigenic determinants on pathogens. The antigen receptors are polypeptide chains that contain variable and constant regions. The variable region binds to the antigenic determinant. This is known as direct activation of T-cells.
Auto immune disorders :-
If the immune system malfunctions and mistakes self for nonself, it may attack the body’s own tissues, causing an autoimmune disorder,
such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto thyroiditis, or systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus).