MCQs on MHC Structure, Gene arrangement & Function: Immunology


Multiple Choice Questions and Answers with explanation on MHC Structure, Gene arrangement & Function 

1) Polymorphisms in the Major histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes are linked to an elevated vulnerability to specific diseases, with one such allele being B47, which is correlated with susceptibility to..................................
a) Ankylosis spondylitis
b) Reactive arthritis
c) Reiter’s syndrome
d) All of the above

2) Hereditary hemochromatosis is a disorder characterized by iron overload liver and other tissues. Which of the MHC allele is associated with the highest relative risk for hereditary hemochromatosis?
a) A13/B14 co-incidence
b) B12/A3 co-incidence
c) A3/B14 co-incidence
d) None of the above

3) Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the brain's ability to control the sleep-wake cycle. 
Which of the following MHC allele is associated with it?
a) Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DR1
b) Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DR2
c) Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DR3
d) Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DR4

4) Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by persistent and widespread inflammation resulting from the immune system's failure to tolerate nuclear autoantigens. This susceptibility is linked to specific alleles within the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), including...........................
a) DP beta 1
b) DQ beta 1 gene
c) DR beta 1 gene
d) None of the above

5) Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC-I) molecules are the cell surface proteins that activate T cells and mediate effector T-cell function. 
Which of the following class of MHC molecules activate cytotoxic T cells?
a) MHC class I
b) MHC class II
c) MHC class III
d) All of the above

6) The MHC molecules are encoded by specific genes. 
Which of the following is an incorrect statement regarding MHC genes?
a) MHC class I proteins are encoded by B, C & A genes
b) MHC class II proteins are encoded by DP, DQ, and DR genes
c) Both MHC class I and MHC class II genes are present in the same region of chromosome
d) MHC class I and MHC class II are encoded by genes located in the different regions of chromosomes

7) The MHC proteins are highly polymorphic. The following factors contribute to the polymorphism, EXCEPT
a) MHC proteins are present in haplotypes
b) MHC is co-dominantly expressed
c) MHC genes are highly conserved
d) None of the above

8) Which of the following statement is FALSE regarding MHC proteins?
a) MHC class I is a dimer consisting of two chains: one alpha chain (three subunits) and a b2 microglobulin chain expressed outside the cell membrane
b) MHC class I is a dimer consisting of two chains: an alpha and a beta-chain each consisting of two subunits expressed outside the cell membrane
c) Both of the above
d) None of the above

9) Beta2 microglobulin/β2 microglobulin/ B2M is a highly conserved subunit essential for the expression of class I on the cell surface. 
Identify the correct statement regarding the Beta2 microglobulin gene
a) It is located on the same chromosome as MHC Class I Genes (A, B, C)
b) It is located in a different chromosomal location than MHC Class I Genes (A, B, C)
c) It is a part of the MHC I gene cluster
d) None of the above

10) Which of the following is the characteristic feature of the peptide binding cleft in MHC class I molecules?
a) It is a critical component on the α1 and α2 domains of the MHC class I molecule
b) The pocket can bind to 8-10 amino acid peptides and presented to Tcells
c) It plays crucial role in antigen presentation in adaptive immunity
d) All of the above

11) Anchor residues, which predominantly exist at the peptide's C-terminal end, interact with specific amino acid residues within the binding groove of the peptide-binding cleft.
The anchor residues are............................................
a) Acidic amino acid
b) Basic amino acids
c) Hydrophobic amino acids
d) None of the Above

12) The CD8 cell surface protein of T cells interacts with ……………............ MHC class I molecules.
a) alpha-1 subunit
b) alpha-2 subunit
c) alpha-3 subunit
d) beta2- microglobulin

13) Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is a cytokine that regulates the expression of............................
a) MHC class I
b) MHC class II
c) Both of the Above
d) None of the Above

14) The MHC expression is decreased (downregulated) by some pathogenic viruses namely
a) Human Cytomegalovirus
b) Hepatitis Virus
c) Adenovirus 12
d) All of the above

15) Many viruses and other microbes produce a class of protein known as immunoevasins that are designed to interfere with antigen presentation by MHC class I molecules. 
The immunoevasin interferes with MHC presentation by..............................................
a) Block peptide transport to TAP
b) Inhibiting E3 ubiquitin ligase activity
c) Block tapasin function
d) All of the above

16) The requirement for antigen presentation by MHC molecules for T cell activation is also known as.................................
a) MHC-recognition
b) MHC-restriction
c) MHC-processing
d) MHC-signaling

17) Which of the following gene is not the part of MHC class I gene cluster?
a) Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing (TAP) genes
b) Tapasin gene
c) Proteasome LMP gene
d) Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) genes

18) MHC molecules are necessary for T cell response. 
Which of the following function is mediated by MHC-T cell interaction?
a) Immune Tolerance
b) Cytotoxicity
c) B-cell activation
d) All of the above

19) MHC class II molecules are primarily involved in presenting antigens to which type of immune cells?
a) Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+ T cells)
b) Helper T cells (CD4+ T cells)
c) Natural killer (NK) cells
d) B cells

20) The CD4 protein of T helper cells binds and stabilizes the MHC class II/peptide structure. The subunit that interacts with CD4 cell surface protein is.............................................
a) alpha1 and beta1 subunit
b) alpha2 and beta2 subunits
c) alpha1 and alpha2 subunits
d) beta1 and beta2 subunits

21) Bare lymphocytes are a genetic disorder caused by a lack of class II molecules on the cell surface. This is associated with................................................................
a) Mutation of the gene encoding MHC class II proteins
b) The mutation that leads to MHC folding
c) Mutation of transcription factor protein (CIITA) required for expression of MHC class II proteins
d) None of the above

22) Bare Lymphocyte Syndrome (BLS) is characterized by deficiencies in:
a) MHC class I molecules
b) MHC class II molecules
c) MHC class III molecules
d) TAP proteins 

23) MHC class I molecules are typically associated with the presentation of:
a) Exogenous antigens
b) Intracellular antigens
c) Bacterial antigens
d) Extracellular antigens

24) Which MHC class is responsible for presenting antigens derived from extracellular pathogens?
a) MHC class I
b) MHC class II
c) MHC class III
d) MHC class IV


Multiple Choice Answers with explanation:
1-d) All of the above
2-c) A3/B14 co-incidence. The A3/B14 coincidence refers to a specific combination of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) alleles found in individuals. These alleles can play a role in determining an individual's immune response and susceptibility to certain diseases such as, Hereditary hemochromatosis. 

3-b)HLA-DR2. Certain subtypes of narcolepsy, a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and disruptions in sleep-wake cycles, are associated with HLA-DR2, particularly the DRB1*15:01 allele.

4-c) DR beta 1 gene. DR beta 1 gene, also known as HLA-DRB1 (Human Leukocyte Antigen-DRB1), is a part of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in the human genome. HLA-DRB1 gene, such as specific DRB1 alleles, have been associated with an increased susceptibility to SLE. This means that individuals carrying these particular DRB1 alleles are more likely to develop SLE compared to those without these alleles.

5-a) MHC class I.  MHC class I molecules are found on the surface of nearly all nucleated cells in the body. One of the key function of MHC class I molecule is immune surveillance, cytotoxic T cells continually scan the body for cells displaying abnormal or foreign antigens on their MHC class I molecules. When they encounter such cells, cytotoxic T cells can recognize and eliminate them, helping to control infections and prevent the spread of cancer.

6-c) Both MHC class I and MHC class II genes are present in the same region of chromosome 

7-c) MHC genes are highly conserved
8-d) None of the above
9-b) It is located in a different chromosomal location than B, C, and A genes. Beta-2 microglobulin or β2 microglobulin/ B2M, is a small protein that is a component of the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules. It is encoded by a separate gene located on chromosome 15 in humans. Unlike the MHC class I genes, it is not part of the MHC region.
MHC Class I Genes (A, B, C) are found within the MHC region on chromosome 6 in humans.

10-d) All of the above. It is located on the MHC class I molecule, specifically on the α1 and α2 domains of the MHC class I heavy chain.The primary function of the peptide binding cleft is to bind and display antigenic peptides to cytotoxic T cells (CD8+ T cells).

11-c) Hydrophobic amino acids
12-c) alpha-3 subunit
 
13-c) Both of Above. The expression of MHC class I and MHC class II molecules can be regulated by cytokine known as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), which can upregulate their expression in response to infection or immune activation.

14-d) All of the above. The expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules can be influenced by various factors, including infection. MHC expression can indeed sometimes appear to decrease. Many viruses have evolved mechanisms to evade the host immune system, and one common strategy is to downregulate the expression of MHC molecules on infected cells. By reducing MHC expression, infected cells make themselves less visible to cytotoxic T cells.

15-d) All of the above.
 
16-b) MHC-restriction. T cell can only recognize and respond to antigens when they are presented by a specific MHC molecule that matches the T cell's TCR.

17- d) Tumor Necrosis Factor genes (TNF). These genes are found within the Major Histocompatibility Complex class III (MHC III) region and are vital for the immune system's ability to detect and respond to intracellular pathogens, particularly viruses. The MHC III region is distinct from both MHC class I and MHC class II regions.

18-d) All of the above
19-b) Helper T cells (CD4+ T cells)
20- d) beta1 and beta2 subunits
21- c) Mutation of transcription factor protein (CIITA) required for expression of MHC class II proteins
22- a) MHC class I molecules
23- b) Intracellular antigens. Antigens from extracellular pathogens through processes phagocytosis or endocytosis, antigens are broken down into smaller peptides.These peptides are loaded onto MHC class II molecules within endosomal compartment and transported to the cell surface for presentation to CD4+ T cells.



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