Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

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.
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...
Antibody Structure and Classes01:25

Antibody Structure and Classes

Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are produced by B cells in response to foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses. These proteins are critical for recognizing and neutralizing these substances, protecting the body from potential harm.
The basic structure of an antibody consists of four protein chains: two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains. These chains are held together by disulfide bonds and other non-covalent interactions, forming a Y-shaped structure.
Antibody Structure01:10

Antibody Structure

Overview
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are essential players of the adaptive immune system. These antigen-binding proteins are produced by B cells and make up 20 percent of the total blood plasma by weight. In mammals, antibodies fall into five different classes, which each elicits a different biological response upon antigen binding.
The Y-Shaped Structure of Antibodies Consists of Four Polypeptide Chains
Antibodies consist of four polypeptide chains: two identical heavy...
Antibody Structure01:10

Antibody Structure

Overview
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are essential players of the adaptive immune system. These antigen-binding proteins are produced by B cells and make up 20 percent of the total blood plasma by weight. In mammals, antibodies fall into five different classes, which each elicits a different biological response upon antigen binding.
The Y-Shaped Structure of Antibodies Consists of Four Polypeptide Chains
Antibodies consist of four polypeptide chains: two identical heavy...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

TRIM47 catalyzes MAVS SUMOylation to safeguard chronic viral infections and tissue inflammation.

Cell communication and signaling : CCS·2026
Same author

Adipocyte OX40L promotes adipose T cell activation and insulin resistance in obesity.

Experimental & molecular medicine·2026
Same author

Genetically modulating the RNA-binding protein Regnase-1 reveals its critical role in regulatory T cell homeostasis and function in vivo.

Cell death & disease·2026
Same author

Cell cycle pathway alterations predict outcomes post-liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Frontiers in transplantation·2026
Same author

Molecular Profiling of Cholangiocarcinoma Predicts Outcomes Post-Liver Transplantation.

JCO precision oncology·2026
Same author

Development and Internal Validation of a Pretransplant Biomarker Panel for Mortality Prediction Following Liver Transplant.

JAMA surgery·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Stability and Structure of Bat Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I with Heterologous β2-Microglobulin
11:17

Stability and Structure of Bat Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I with Heterologous β2-Microglobulin

Published on: March 10, 2021

Structure and function of major histocompatibility complex class I antigens.

Xian C Li1, Malini Raghavan

  • 1Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA.

Current Opinion in Organ Transplantation
|July 9, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules regulate CD8 T cells and NK cells, crucial in transplant rejection and tolerance. Understanding their molecular interactions is key for developing improved transplantation therapies.

More Related Videos

Use of Single Chain MHC Technology to Investigate Co-agonism in Human CD8+ T Cell Activation
12:09

Use of Single Chain MHC Technology to Investigate Co-agonism in Human CD8+ T Cell Activation

Published on: February 28, 2019

Assessing the Expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I on Primary Murine Hippocampal Neurons by Flow Cytometry
08:07

Assessing the Expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I on Primary Murine Hippocampal Neurons by Flow Cytometry

Published on: May 19, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Stability and Structure of Bat Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I with Heterologous β2-Microglobulin
11:17

Stability and Structure of Bat Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I with Heterologous β2-Microglobulin

Published on: March 10, 2021

Use of Single Chain MHC Technology to Investigate Co-agonism in Human CD8+ T Cell Activation
12:09

Use of Single Chain MHC Technology to Investigate Co-agonism in Human CD8+ T Cell Activation

Published on: February 28, 2019

Assessing the Expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I on Primary Murine Hippocampal Neurons by Flow Cytometry
08:07

Assessing the Expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I on Primary Murine Hippocampal Neurons by Flow Cytometry

Published on: May 19, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Transplantation Science
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules are critical regulators of CD8 T cell and NK cell responses.
  • Both CD8 T cells and NK cells play significant roles in the complex processes of transplant rejection and tolerance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular mechanisms of allorecognition of MHC class I molecules by CD8 T cells and NK cells.
  • To examine the functional roles of CD8 T cells and NK cells in transplant rejection and tolerance induction.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of recent T cell receptor (TCR)-peptide-MHC class I crystal structures.
  • Structural and functional analyses of MHC class I interactions with NK cell inhibitory receptors.

Main Results:

  • New insights into the molecular basis of allorecognition by CD8 T cells and NK cells.
  • CD8 T cells and NK cells exhibit context-dependent roles in allograft rejection.
  • NK cells demonstrate an unexpected role in promoting tolerance during transplantation.

Conclusions:

  • CD8 T cells and NK cells have multifaceted roles in both graft rejection and tolerance.
  • Further elucidation of molecular interactions between MHC class I and receptors is vital for advancing transplantation medicine.