Diversity in MHC class II antigen presentation

• Published in: Immunology Vol. 105; no. 3; pp. 252 - 262
• Main Authors: Robinson, John H., Delvig, Alexei A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science, Ltd 01.03.2002; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc; Blackwell Science Inc
• Subjects: Animals; Antigen Presentation; Autoimmunity; CD4 antigen; Endosomes - immunology; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II - immunology; Humans; Infection - immunology; Neoplasms - immunology; Phagosomes - immunology; Review; T-Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology
• ISSN: 0019-2805; 1365-2567
• DOI: 10.1046/j.0019-2805.2001.01358.x

Summary Processing exogenous and endogenous proteins for presentation by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules to T cells is the defining function of antigen‐presenting cells (APC) as major regulatory cells in the acquired immune response. MHC class II‐restricted antigen presentation to CD4 T cells is achieved by an essentially common pathway that is subject to variation with regard to the location and extent of degradation of protein antigens and the site of peptide binding to MHC class II molecules. These subtle variations reveal a surprising flexibility in the ways a diverse peptide repertoire is displayed on the APC surface. This diversity may have profound consequences for the induction of immunity to infection and tumours, as well as autoimmunity and tolerance.