Multiple Choice
The host-pathogen 'arms race' is referring to:
21. Principles of Disease
5) Avoiding Antibodies
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When pathogenic microbes possess surface antigens that mimic host cell proteins, they are able to avoid detection by antibodies and most immune cells. What stops the immune system from attacking these pathogens?
A
The immune cells have central and peripheral tolerance to host proteins and cells.
B
The immune cells cannot phagocytose the pathogens because they are encapsulated.
C
The immune cells recognizes that microbes expressing proteins similar to host proteins are not a threat.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of immune tolerance: The immune system has mechanisms to prevent attacking the body's own cells, known as central and peripheral tolerance.
Central tolerance occurs in the thymus and bone marrow, where developing immune cells that react strongly to self-antigens are eliminated.
Peripheral tolerance involves mechanisms outside of primary lymphoid organs, such as regulatory T cells, that suppress immune responses against self-antigens.
Pathogens with surface antigens mimicking host proteins can exploit these tolerance mechanisms, avoiding detection and attack by the immune system.
Recognize that the immune system's inability to attack these pathogens is due to its design to prevent autoimmunity, not because it identifies them as non-threatening.
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