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Updated: Oct 22, 2026

Analysis of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-specific CD8+ T-cells in Rhesus Macaques by Peptide-MHC-I Tetramer Staining
Published on: December 23, 2016
Major histocompatibility complex class I genes in primates: co-evolution with pathogens
T U Vogel1, D T Evans, J A Urvater
1Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53715-1299, USA.
Abstract:
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is the most polymorphic genetic system known, playing a central role in the cellular immune response to pathogens. The relationship between the MHC of humans and non-human primates has increased our understanding of MHC evolution and how polymorphism of this gene family may have been generated. We will review MHC class I evolution in great apes and Old World and New World primates and discuss new data from the simian immunodeficiency virus/rhesus monkey animal model that demonstrate the role of MHC class I alleles in selecting for new populations of viruses. This suggests that certain pathogens co-evolve with the MHC class I molecules they encounter in a population.
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