immunity

[chiddler]

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MHC class I is found on every nucleated cell of the body (and thus not on red blood cells, though they are found on platelets).

How are RBCs then identified as self?

i think this is more of a curiosity question than really mcat knowledge question. thanks :-3

 

[BA11]

By the antigens they express. For instance, blood type "A" cells express the A antigen and thus the body does not form antibodies against that antigen. However, if type "B" blood were transfused into such an individual, the body would attack the "B" antigen with the B antibodies it produces. This is the basis for the knowledge behind blood transfusions. The Rh factor also plays a role in identification.

 

[MedPR]

MHC class I is found on every nucleated cell of the body (and thus not on red blood cells, though they are found on platelets).

How are RBCs then identified as self?

i think this is more of a curiosity question than really mcat knowledge question. thanks :-3

By the antigens they express. For instance, blood type "A" cells express the A antigen and thus the body does not form antibodies against that antigen. However, if type "B" blood were transfused into such an individual, the body would attack the "B" antigen with the B antibodies it produces. This is the basis for the knowledge behind blood transfusions. The Rh factor also plays a role in identification.

Yup, Type A blood has A agglutinogen, so the body doesn't produce any A-Ab. Rh factor is not important to the detection of non-self RBCs, but it is important if you transfuse whole blood.

 

[chiddler]

oh that makes sense.

thank you.