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menooby OP t1_j2zxr8y wrote

Reply to comment by Lyndeead in Do all humans have the same antigens? Or are the antigens in the body the same for everybody? by menooby

Sorry I realise I forgot to add an important bit. Do we all have the same self antigens?

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SimShade t1_j30yc3g wrote

No, we do not all have the same self-antigens. Self-antigens are proteins or other molecules that are present on the surface of our cells and are recognized as being "self" by the immune system. These self-antigens are typically unique to an individual and are used by the immune system to distinguish the body's own cells from foreign cells.

Self-antigens can include proteins such as major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, which are present on the surface of almost all cells and play a critical role in the immune system's ability to recognize and attack foreign invaders. MHC molecules are highly variable and are thought to have evolved to provide a diverse range of self-antigens that can be recognized by the immune system.

In addition to MHC molecules, other self-antigens may include proteins and molecules on the surface of cells, such as cell surface receptors and enzymes. These self-antigens are also unique to an individual and help the immune system to recognize and distinguish the body's own cells from foreign cells.

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menooby OP t1_j30zzh7 wrote

If that's the case then at least do we have highly similar self antigens? Otherwise how would autoantibody tests work, there must be common ones. Or am I missing more of the picture? Are epitopes unqiue as well? I assume so if antigens are

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SimShade t1_j310e3x wrote

Yes, humans have highly similar self-antigens, but there is still some variation between individuals. This is why autoantibody tests are not always completely accurate and may require further testing to confirm a diagnosis.

Epitopes are the specific parts of an antigen that are recognized by the immune system, and they can be either unique or shared between different antigens. In the case of self-antigens, the epitopes are typically highly conserved, meaning that they are similar among individuals. However, there can still be some variation in the epitopes, which can affect the immune system's ability to recognize self-antigens and may contribute to the development of autoimmune disorders.

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menooby OP t1_j310rml wrote

Damn complexity. Thank you for the information, exactly what I'm looking for for but wasn't what I expected.

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menooby OP t1_j34bx46 wrote

Wait 1 more implication then, could that explain the reason for some people being seronegative for autoimmunity?

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SimShade t1_j34e06w wrote

Correct. The reason for some people being seronegative for autoimmunity can be due to the variation in epitopes, or the specific parts of an antigen that are recognized by the immune system. If the immune system does not recognize the specific epitopes on a self-antigen, it may not produce antibodies against it, resulting in a negative test result. Additionally, the presence of autoantibodies does not always indicate the presence of an autoimmune disorder. Some individuals may produce autoantibodies as a result of normal immune system function, and they may not develop any clinical symptoms. Therefore, it is often necessary to confirm a diagnosis of an autoimmune disorder through other means, such as a thorough medical history, physical examination, and additional testing.

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menooby OP t1_j34e7cg wrote

Very interesting. Thank you for the knowledge once again

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mentalhelpneeded247 t1_j34b7hf wrote

Also antigen-specific antibodies, how come some stay and how come some go?

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SimShade t1_j34bu2e wrote

Antigen-specific antibodies are produced by the immune system in response to the presence of a specific antigen, such as a virus or bacteria. The production of antibodies is a natural process that helps the body to defend itself against infection and disease. Some of the antibodies produced in response to an antigen will remain in the body for a long time, providing ongoing protection against future exposures to the same antigen. Other antibodies may not persist for as long and may be cleared from the body over time. The length of time that an antibody remains in the body can depend on a variety of factors, including the specific characteristics of the antigen and the immune system of the individual.

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mentalhelpneeded247 t1_j34c5ms wrote

But it’s so interesting that some go and some stay. Is it because our cells can only hold so much “data”?

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[deleted] t1_j34j7eo wrote

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Lyndeead t1_j35447d wrote

Thanks for all the assist on answering these questions! I was not fully committed to breaking down MHC proteins and how antibodies are made. Immunology isn’t my biomedical subject specialty.

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