AntigenRezeptorVielfalt

AntigenRezeptoren, also known as antigen receptors, are proteins found on the surface of immune cells, such as T cells and B cells, that recognize and bind to specific antigens. These receptors play a crucial role in the adaptive immune response, enabling the immune system to identify and respond to foreign substances, such as pathogens, and to distinguish them from the body's own cells. Antigen receptors are highly specific, each recognizing a unique antigen or a small group of related antigens. There are two main types of antigen receptors: T cell receptors (TCRs) and B cell receptors (BCRs). TCRs are found on T cells and recognize peptide antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on the surface of infected or stressed cells. BCRs are found on B cells and recognize soluble antigens, such as proteins or polysaccharides, directly. Upon binding to their specific antigen, antigen receptors trigger a series of intracellular signaling events that lead to the activation and proliferation of the immune cell, resulting in an effective immune response. The diversity of antigen receptors is generated through a process called V(D)J recombination, which allows the immune system to recognize an almost limitless number of antigens.