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Related Concept Videos

Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

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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.
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Diversity of Antigen Receptors01:28

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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.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Use of Single Chain MHC Technology to Investigate Co-agonism in Human CD8+ T Cell Activation
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Intracellular competition for component chains determines class II MHC cell surface phenotype.

A J Sant1, R N Germain

  • 1Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.

Cell
|June 2, 1989
PubMed
Summary

Mixed isotype dimers are not typically found on hematopoietic cells. However, asymmetric synthesis of class II alpha and beta chains can lead to their significant expression on cell surfaces.

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Immunopeptidomics: Isolation of Mouse and Human MHC Class I- and II-Associated Peptides for Mass Spectrometry Analysis

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Last Updated: Jun 19, 2026

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12:09

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Published on: February 28, 2019

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Immunopeptidomics: Isolation of Mouse and Human MHC Class I- and II-Associated Peptides for Mass Spectrometry Analysis
09:32

Immunopeptidomics: Isolation of Mouse and Human MHC Class I- and II-Associated Peptides for Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Published on: October 15, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Immunogenetics
  • Molecular immunology
  • Cellular immunology

Background:

  • Mixed isotype dimers (e.g., E alpha A beta, A alpha E beta) are generally absent from Ia+ hematopoietic cells.
  • Some mixed isotype dimers can be expressed on the surface of transfected cells containing only the necessary class II genes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the reasons behind the differential expression of mixed isotype dimers.
  • To compare surface expression of individual Ia dimers with available class II chains in a cellular model.
  • To understand the role of chain competition in Ia molecule expression.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an L cell transfection model to simulate balanced and asymmetric class II alpha and beta chain synthesis.
  • Compared surface expression of specific Ia dimers (A alpha A beta, E alpha E beta, E alpha A beta) under varying synthesis conditions.
  • Quantified available class II chains within transfected cells.

Main Results:

  • Predominant A alpha A beta and E alpha E beta species show 3- to 5-fold preferences in assembly or transport.
  • These preferences normally preclude the expression of mixed isotype E alpha A beta dimers under balanced chain synthesis.
  • Asymmetric chain synthesis allows for biologically significant surface expression of mixed isotype dimers.

Conclusions:

  • Chain competition and differential assembly/transport kinetics influence Ia dimer surface expression.
  • Physiologic conditions with balanced chain synthesis favor homodimers over heterodimers.
  • Altered chain synthesis ratios can overcome inherent preferences, enabling mixed isotype dimer presentation.