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Related Concept Videos

Antigen Processing Pathways01:31

Antigen Processing Pathways

MHC molecules are key players in the immune response, enabling T cells to recognize and respond to specific antigens. They are present on the surface of all nucleated cells in the body and are instrumental in presenting antigens to T cells and activating them. T cells recognize the MHC-antigen complex and initiate an immune response. MHC class I and MHC class II are two main types of MHC molecules, each associated with a distinct antigen processing pathway.
MHC Class I: Presenting Endogenous...
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity01:26

Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity

An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Autophagy01:27

Autophagy

Autophagy is a self-digesting process by which a cell protects itself from threats both within and outside the cell, ranging from abnormal proteins to invading bacteria. In this process, obsolete components of the cell and invading microbes are degraded by hydrolytic enzymes active in an acidic environment of the lysosomal lumen.
An autophagic pathway consists of a series of signaling events activated in response to diverse stress and physiological conditions such as food deprivation,...
Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome01:36

Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome

Eukaryotic cells use different mechanisms to eliminate toxic waste obsolete and worn-out substances. Lysosomes play a pivotal role in this, and hence, these substances are carried to the lysosome from other parts of the cell and extracellular space through different pathways. The most elaborately studied pathways to the lysosome are the endocytic pathways.
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Antigen Presenting Cells01:22

Antigen Presenting Cells

The immune system is a complex network of cells and molecules that protects the body from foreign invaders. T cells, a type of white blood cell, play a crucial role in this process. They recognize and attack foreign substances, such as pathogens, that enter the body.
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...
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.

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Related Experiment Video

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Purification of the Membrane Compartment for Endoplasmic Reticulum-associated Degradation of Exogenous Antigens in Cross-presentation
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Autophagy in MHC class II presentation: sampling from within.

Victoria Menéndez-Benito1, Jacques Neefjes

  • 1Division of Tumor Biology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Immunity
|January 24, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules typically present external antigens. New research reveals MHC class II can also present internal antigens via autophagosomes, expanding our understanding of antigen presentation pathways.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules are primarily known for presenting exogenous antigens to T helper cells.
  • Recent peptidome analyses have revealed the presence of endogenous antigens, originating from cytosolic or nuclear sources, within MHC class II molecules.

Discussion:

  • Schmid et al. demonstrate a novel mechanism by which MHC class II molecules present endogenous antigens.
  • This process involves the autophagosome pathway, a cellular mechanism typically associated with degradation of intracellular components.

Key Insights:

  • MHC class II molecules are capable of presenting antigens derived from cytosolic and nuclear compartments.
  • Autophagosomes play a crucial role in delivering these endogenous antigens for presentation by MHC class II molecules.
  • This finding challenges the traditional view of MHC class II antigen sourcing.

Outlook:

  • This discovery opens new avenues for understanding immune responses to intracellular pathogens and cancer.
  • Further research may elucidate the specific roles of this pathway in various immune and disease contexts.
  • Therapeutic strategies targeting antigen presentation could be re-evaluated based on these findings.