Essays on B Cell

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), otherwise known as lupus, is an autoimmune disease caused by varying and often unknown sources. There are different types of lupus, with SLE being the most common. Other types include lupus nephritis, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, drug-induced lupus, and neonatal lupus. SLE can affect different organ systems including the skin, kidneys, liver, blood cells and brain. There is no direct known cause for this disease, but it is thought to be caused by a combination of factors such as certain medications, hormones, genetics and the environment. There are currently few treatments available for this disease and ...

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Introduction

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune that can impact any part of the body resulting in a range of clinical symptoms. The affected part by Lupus may include brain, lungs, kidneys, skin, joints, blood vessels and other internal organs (Pisetsky, Gilkeson & St Clair, 1997). Lupus impacts the immune system by interfering with its capability of differentiating between antigens and normal healthy tissues. This incidence results in the misinterpretation by the immune system, and it directs the antibodies against the healthy tissues causing pain, tissue damage, and swelling. It ...

Immunology

The rearrangement of T cell receptor (TCR) genes g and d occur in series of cells expressing variable Vg and Vd gene segments. The lymphoid precursor cells originate in the bone marrow and move to the thymus. Preliminary T cells are devoid of TCR, CD4 and CD8 molecules and are called double negative thymocytes . These double negative T cells may be further categorized into four phases of differentiation (DN1, CD44+CD25-; DN2, CD44+CD25+; DN3, CD44-CD25+; and DN4, CD44-CD25-) . CD44 is a cell adhesion molecule and CD25 serves as the IL-2 receptor. Passage into the DN2 and DN4 stages ...

Epitopes constitute parts of antigens which bind themselves specifically on lymphocytes and receptors. As a result, they induce either antibody or cell mediated immunity. Basically, there are continuous and discontinuous epitopes (Yang & Yu, 2009, p. 77). The later are characterized by linear peptide fragments, usually of 19-12 mers. Usually, these are recognized by the distinctive T cells after they have been processed and presented on to MHC molecules. The later on the other hand comprise of 15-22 structurally complicated mers. They are characterized by a distinctive folding protein. This can be recognized by both the T and b helper cells while ...