What is the Difference Between Professional and Non-professional Antigen Presenting Cells?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between professional and non-professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) lies in their ability to present antigens to T cells and their expression of MHC class II molecules and co-stimulatory molecules. Here are the key differences:
- Origin: Professional APCs are of hematopoietic origin, while non-professional APCs are not bone marrow-derived.
- MHC Class II Expression: Professional APCs constitutively express MHC class II molecules, while non-professional APCs do not.
- Co-stimulatory Molecules: Professional APCs express potent co-stimulatory molecules, which are absent in non-professional APCs.
- Immune Response: Professional APCs can induce both primary and secondary immune responses, while non-professional APCs may only initiate primary and secondary immune responses after induction of MHC class I by IFN-gamma.
- Antigen Presentation: Professional APCs can present antigens to both helper and cytotoxic T cells, while non-professional APCs can only present antigens to helper T cells.
Examples of professional APCs include dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells, while non-professional APCs include fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and hepatocytes. Non-professional APCs can be further classified into semiprofessional, nonprofessional, or nonantigen-presenting cells based on their ability to present antigens to and activate various types of T cells.
Comparative Table: Professional vs Non-professional Antigen Presenting Cells
Here is a table comparing the differences between professional and non-professional antigen-presenting cells:
Feature | Professional Antigen-Presenting Cells | Non-professional Antigen-Presenting Cells |
---|---|---|
MHC Molecules | Express MHC class I and II molecules | Express only MHC class I molecules |
Source | Cells of the hematopoietic lineage | All nucleated cells in the body |
Examples | Dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells | Fibroblasts |
Immune Response | Can generate both primary and secondary immune responses | Can generate primary immune responses, secondary responses can be induced |
Antigen Presentation | Present antigens to T cells | Present antigens to T cells |
Antigen Processing | Process antigens before presenting them to T cells | Process antigens before presenting them to T cells |
Both professional and non-professional antigen-presenting cells play a vital role in the adaptive immune system of the body. However, professional antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells, are part of the hematopoietic lineage and express both MHC class I and class II molecules. In contrast, non-professional antigen-presenting cells, like fibroblasts, only express MHC class I molecules.
- Self vs Non Self Antigens
- Antibodies vs T Cells
- HeLa Cells vs Normal Cells
- T Helper vs T Cytotoxic Cells
- Macrophages vs Dendritic Cells
- T Cell Dependent vs Independent Antigens
- T Cells vs B Cells
- Phagocytes vs Lymphocytes
- Hapten vs Antigen
- Stem Cells vs Normal Cells
- Antigen vs Antibody
- Positive vs Negative Selection of T Cells
- NK Cells vs NKT Cells
- Antigen vs Pathogen
- Cell Cycle Specific vs Cell Cycle Nonspecific
- CD4 Cells vs CD8 Cells
- Cell Mediated vs Antibody Mediated Immunity
- Major vs Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
- Antigen vs Immunogen