Are t-cell receptors antibodies?

  • Thread starter BogMonkey
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In summary, t-cells have receptors that bind to antigens on their surface. These receptors, known as TCRs, are similar to antibodies in many ways. Antibodies are secreted from B-cells while TCRs are bound to the cell membrane and have a single binding site. However, the distinction between the two is not always clear as some sources also refer to TCRs as antibodies or ligands.
  • #1
BogMonkey
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I read that t-cells have receptors on their surface which bind to antigens. Are these receptors antibodies or are antibodies molecules which float around freely and mark antigens that they happen to bind to so that t-cells can kill them?
 
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  • #2
Well you are right in your comparison. They are extremely similar in nearly every way. Antibodies are secreted from B-cells and TCRs are bound to the the cell membrane and they only have a single binding site. (Antibodies have multiple forms with various binding sites 1,2-5)

http://courses.washington.edu/conj/immune/antibody.htm

^^I think that this website lays out some good knowledge on TCRs and Antibodies.
 
  • #3
By default, an antibody is anything that binds an antigen by recognizing it through the specific epitopes that are present. You shouldn't be too stringent about only labelling the secretions of plasma cells as antibodies as these delineations are quite blurred in actual practice. Other word you can see in usage is LIGAND. For example, RANK ligand for RANK receptor.
 

1. What are t-cell receptors?

T-cell receptors are proteins found on the surface of T-cells, which are a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system. They are responsible for recognizing and binding to specific antigens (foreign substances) found on the surface of infected or abnormal cells.

2. How are t-cell receptors different from antibodies?

T-cell receptors and antibodies are both part of the immune system, but they play different roles. T-cell receptors are found on the surface of T-cells and are responsible for recognizing and binding to specific antigens, while antibodies are produced by B-cells and are responsible for neutralizing and eliminating antigens.

3. Are t-cell receptors considered to be antibodies?

No, t-cell receptors are not considered to be antibodies. While they both play important roles in the immune system, antibodies are a separate class of proteins that function differently from t-cell receptors.

4. Can t-cell receptors be used in antibody-based therapies?

No, t-cell receptors cannot be used in antibody-based therapies. Antibody-based therapies use antibodies to target specific antigens, whereas t-cell receptors are only able to recognize antigens when they are bound to major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs), which are only present on the surface of cells.

5. How do t-cell receptors contribute to immune function?

T-cell receptors are essential for immune function as they allow T-cells to recognize and respond to foreign invaders and infected or abnormal cells. This recognition and response is crucial for the body's ability to fight off infections and diseases.

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