Lysosomal cysteine proteases and antigen presentation
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98195, USA. aruden@u.washington.edu
Lysosomal proteinases are involved in two critical stages of MHC class II-mediated antigen presentation, i.e., degradation of invariant chain, a chaperone molecule critical for MHC class II assembly and transport, and generation of class II-binding peptides in the endocytic compartment. We found that two lysosomal cysteine proteinases, cathepsins S and L, were found to be differentially expressed in different types of "professional" and "nonprofessional" antigen presenting cells, including B cells, macrophages, specialized thymic epithelium, intestinal epithelium, and dendritic cells. In this chapter, our recent studies on the role of cathepsin S and L in MHC class II-mediated antigen processing and presentation in these cells types are highlighted.
Lysosomal proteinases are involved in two critical stages of MHC class II-mediated antigen presentation, i.e., degradation of invariant chain, a chaperone molecule critical for MHC class II assembly and transport, and generation of class II-binding peptides in the endocytic compartment. We found that two lysosomal cysteine proteinases, cathepsins S and L, were found to be differentially expressed in different types of "professional" and "nonprofessional" antigen presenting cells, including B cells, macrophages, specialized thymic epithelium, intestinal epithelium, and dendritic cells. In this chapter, our recent studies on the role of cathepsin S and L in MHC class II-mediated antigen processing and presentation in these cells types are highlighted.
Related Concept Videos
Lysosomal Hydrolases
Caspases
The Proteasome
In this pathway, the target proteins are first tagged with small proteins called ubiquitin. This involves participation of a series of enzymes including— E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme), E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), and E3 (ubiquitin...
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Antigen Presenting Cells
T cells require the help of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which process foreign antigens into smaller fragments that can be recognized by T cells. These APCs are highly specialized cells that efficiently internalize antigens...
Antigen Processing Pathways
MHC Class I: Presenting Endogenous...


