How does our immune system protect us against all of the infectious agents and foreign substances we encounter? Much of the answer lies in antibody diversity. In his first talk, Dr. Hidde Ploegh explains how B cells shuffle their genetic material such that regions of the immunoglobulin protein are rearranged. This generates the antibody diversity needed to recognize an almost infinite number of antigens. Interactions of B cells with T helper cells results in the formation of structurally distinct classes of immunoglobulins, further increasing antibody diversity. T killer cells are primed to attack infectious agents when immunoglobulins on their surface recognize antigens presented by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Ploegh explains that by subverting the MHC pathway, viruses and cancer cells can evade the immune system.
View the full talk with additional resources on our website
The Importance of Antibody Diversity
Dr. Ploegh describes how antibody diversity lets us resist the multitude of infectious agents we encounter every day. He also explains how camelid antibody fragments are changing medicine. (Talk recorded in July 2017)
- Part 1: Immunology: The Basics of Antibody DiversityAudience:
- Student
- Researcher
- Educators
- Educators of H. School / Intro Undergrad
- Educators of Adv. Undergrad / Grad
Duration: 00:38:51 - Part 2: Unusual Antibody Fragments: The Camelid NanobodiesAudience:
- Researcher
- Educators of Adv. Undergrad / Grad
Duration: 00:34:41