immunology

The Sensor

A diverse library of T-Cell Receptors in the adaptive immune system.

MHC System

The standard mechanism for displaying antigens to T cells in adaptive immunity.

V(D)J Recombination

A process that generates antibodies and T cell receptors governed by the 12/23 Rule.

12/23 Rule

Regulates V(D)J recombination between gene segments containing Recombination Signal Sequences (RSS).

RSS

Recombination Signal Sequences that contain spacer regions crucial for V(D)J recombination.

P-nucleotides

Nucleotides created by hairpin cleavage during V(D)J recombination.

N-nucleotides

Random nucleotides added by the TdT enzyme during V(D)J recombination.

SCID

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency; a condition with a total defense failure, lacking T cells and B cells.

Bubble Boy Mnemonic

A memory aid for SCID characteristics: BUBBLE - B cells absent, Unable to fight germs, Bone marrow transplant cure, Boys affected (X-linked), Lymphocytes missing, Early diagnosis is emergency.

TREC Test

A diagnostic newborn screening test for B cells, indicative of immune function.

Classical MHC I molecules

Molecules that present endogenous antigens to CD8+ T cells.

Classical MHC II molecules

Molecules that present exogenous antigens to CD4+ T cells.

CD1 Gene Family

Five human genes (CD1a, CD1b, CD1c, CD1d, CD1e) responsible for presenting lipid antigens.

Group 1 CD1 molecules

CD1a, CD1b, CD1c - involved in processing and presenting lipid antigens.

MAIT Cells

Mucosal-associated invariant T cells involved in recognizing metabolites of bacterial pathogens.

HLA-E

A non-classical MHC molecule that presents a restricted set of self-peptides.

NK Cell Education

The process by which NK cells learn to recognize self-peptides to ensure appropriate activation thresholds.

Signal peptide

A cleaved peptide from classical HLA class I molecules required for HLA-E binding.