Problem
I. If you were to measure the affinity of antibodies for their target antigen, would you expect the IgM anti-dengue antibodies to be of higher average affinity or the IgG anti-dengue antibodies? Why?
(Hint: When answering "Why?" think about what happens during the activation response that allows for IgG to be made and what other processes occur during this period)
II. Now think about what you'd expect upon a secondary infection (you cleared the pathogen and have been re-exposed). Answer the following questions as if this is secondary infection with Dengue:
i. Thinking of IgM vs IgG, would you expect IgM levels to increase first? Would you expect the same pattern - first 1-2 weeks dominated by IgM, then followed by IgG dominance?
ii. Thinking about the amount of antibody produced - would the amount of antibody be the same as in a primary response or different? Would your answer be the same for IgM as it is for IgG?
iii. If T-cell levels were measured, do you think the amount of effector T-cells would be higher after a secondary infection than a primary infection?