You have developed a keen interest in the adaptive immune system and plan on dedicating your scientific career to the study of this elegant system! As a first step, you take an immunology class, in which you learn about several aspects of the immune system. One, the process of signaling through receptors of the adaptive immune system, is of particular interest.
What is the structure of the complete TCR and BCR? (in addition to text, you may use your own drawings if that is helpful)
Describe, in detail, the signaling response to antigen recognition by the BCR.
Describe, in detail, the signaling response to antigen recognition by the TCR.
Furthermore, you become interested in lymphocyte development. Please describe the processes surrounding the development of lymphocytes.
Trace the development of B cells. Be sure to include at least six distinct stages, the key molecules, events, and locations of each.
How is B cell development altered in the absence of Kit? B220? Overexpression of IL-7 receptor?
Trace the development of T cells. Be sure to include at least six distinct stages, the key molecules, events, and locations of each.
How is T cell development altered in the absence of ZAP-70? RAG-1/RAG-2? GATA-3?