Klaus D. Elgert (kdelgert at vt.edu) wrote:
: A question arose in our graduate level immunology course. "How do
: macrophages distinguish between self and non-self?" Macrophages are
: considered antigen nonspecific cells. Yet, they can distinguish between
: side-by-side antigens, i.e., bacteria and self host cells. Also, they
: recognize differences between crenating and old erythrocytes and normal
: erythrocytes, or neoplasic and normal cells. I would appreciate any
: answers/comments. Please post to the group or directly by e-mail to
:kdelgert at vt.edu.
: Thanks in advance,
: Klaus D. Elgert
Maybe it's time to NOT consider then antigen nonspecific . There may be a
certain # of factors at work.
1) The APC may not be totally antigen nonspecific, i.e it is unable to
recognize certain host antigens.
2) Maybe they are presenting self antigens and nobody ( T cells ) are
responding i.e. anergy or suppression. It might be neat to think that T
cells maybe giving a apoptotic signal to the macrophages that are
presenting self antigens to them thereby instantly killing them. Only a
suggestion Of course.
Cheers,
--
Shahram Mori _/\_
Program in Molecular Biology _\ /_
Dept. of chemistry and Biochemistry Box 3C \_ _/
NMSU Las Cruces NM ||
88003