Question

Describe the process of Affinity maturation, including the major enzymes/proteins involved and what their function is during this process? Although these proteins can target any gene in the B cell, why are the resulting changes focused in the CDR regions?

Answer 1

affinity maturation process-

it is the process in which b cells produce antibodies with increased affinity for antigen during the course of an immune response.

a secondary response can elicit antibodies with greater affinities than primary response

In vivo affinity maturation-

this evolve two interealeted processes, occuring in the germinal centres of the secondary lymphoid organs

1 somatic hybridisation -mutation occur in the variable region of im genes

2 clonal selection- b cells that undergone shm must compete for limiting growth resources.

In vitro affinity maturation-

thsi is based on the principle of mutation and selection

it is used to optimize antibodies, antibody fragments, antibody mimetics

random mutation can be introduces by radiation , chemicals mutagen or pcr.