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Updated: May 2, 2026

Use of Single Chain MHC Technology to Investigate Co-agonism in Human CD8+ T Cell Activation
Published on: February 28, 2019
Chemical biology of antigen presentation by MHC molecules
Sander I van Kasteren1, Hermen Overkleeft1, Huib Ovaa1
1The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Division of Cell Biology, Plesmanlaan 121, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Division of Bio-Organic Chemistry, Einsteinweg 55, Leiden, Netherlands.
Abstract:
MHC class I and MHC class II molecules present peptides to the immune system to drive proper T cell responses. Pharmacological modulation of T-cell responses can offer treatment options for a range of immune-related diseases. Pharmacological downregulation of MHC molecules may find application in treatment of auto-immunity and transplantation rejection while pharmacological activation of antigen presentation would support immune responses to infection and cancer. Since the cell biology of MHC class I and MHC class II antigen presentation is understood in great detail, many potential targets for manipulation have been defined over the years. Here, we discuss how antigen presentation by MHC molecules can be modulated by pharmacological agents and how chemistry can further support the study of antigen presentation in general. The chemical biology of antigen presentation by MHC molecules shows surprising options for immune modulation and the development of future therapies.
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