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Updated: May 11, 2026
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In Situ Detection of Autoreactive CD4 T Cells in Brain and Heart Using Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Dextramers
Published on: August 1, 2014
Genetic control of MHC class II expression
Jenny Pan-Yun Ting1, John Trowsdale
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology and The Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. panyun@med.unc.edu
Cell
|May 2, 2002
Summary
The immune system recognizes peptides via MHC class II molecules, whose expression is tightly regulated transcriptionally. CIITA is a master controller protein that orchestrates this crucial gene expression process.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Peptide presentation by MHC class II molecules is vital for adaptive immunity.
- The expression of MHC class II genes is precisely regulated at the transcriptional level.
- Numerous proteins interact with MHC class II gene promoters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the transcriptional regulation of MHC class II gene expression.
- To highlight the role of CIITA as a master controller.
- To present the transcriptosome complex as a model for gene induction.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of transcriptional regulation mechanisms.
- Identification of proteins interacting with MHC class II promoters.
- Characterization of the CIITA protein's function.
Main Results:
- MHC class II expression is controlled at the transcriptional level.
- CIITA is a key regulator orchestrating MHC class II gene expression.
- A transcriptosome complex forms at class II promoters.
Conclusions:
- CIITA is a master controller of MHC class II gene expression.
- The transcriptosome complex serves as a model for understanding gene induction.
- Transcriptional control is critical for immune recognition via MHC class II.
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