antigens

• substances that can mobilize adaptive defenses and provoke an immune response

• Antigens:

anyigens targets

target all adaptive responses

-large, complex molecules not normally found in body

• complete antigens:

• polysaccharides

• - lipids,

• - nucleic acids; seen on many foreign invaders such as pollen and microorganisms

Incomplete antigens-

• Cause immune system to mount attack that is harmful to person because it attacks self-proteins as well

• Examples: poison ivy, animal dander, detergents, and cosmetics

Antigenic determinants:

parts of antigen that antibodies or lymphocyte receptors bind to

• Mobilize several different lymphocyte populations

• Form different kinds of antibodies against them

Self-antigens:

all cells are covered with variety of proteins located on surface that are not antigenic to self, but may be antigenic to others in transfusions or grafts 

One set of important self-proteins are group of glycoproteins called

major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins and unique to each individual