Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
12:09
Use of Single Chain MHC Technology to Investigate Co-agonism in Human CD8+ T Cell Activation
Published on: February 28, 2019
Developing and shedding inhibitions: how MHC class II molecules reach maturity
1Joseph Stokes Jr Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Current Opinion in Immunology
|February 1, 1996
Summary
Advances in class II MHC glycoprotein research reveal how invariant chain protects molecules and how HLA-DM facilitates peptide exchange in antigen-presenting cells, enhancing our understanding of immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Class II Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) glycoproteins are crucial for adaptive immunity.
- Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) process and present peptides via MHC class II molecules.
- Understanding the precise mechanisms of peptide loading is vital for immune response modulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanisms of endosomal peptide acquisition by class II MHC glycoproteins.
- To detail the role of invariant chain in protecting class II molecules.
- To explore the catalytic function of HLA-DM in peptide exchange.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the interactions between invariant chain and class II MHC molecules.
- Analyzed peptide binding and dissociation kinetics.
- Utilized biochemical assays to study HLA-DM activity.
Main Results:
- Identified specific ligands protected by invariant chain in pre-endosomal compartments.
- Demonstrated how invariant chain inhibits antigenic peptide binding to class II molecules.
- Confirmed HLA-DM's role as a catalyst for peptide exchange.
Conclusions:
- Invariant chain plays a critical role in regulating peptide loading onto class II MHC molecules.
- HLA-DM acts as a key catalyst, optimizing peptide presentation for T-cell recognition.
- These findings advance the understanding of antigen processing and presentation pathways.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:15Receptor Downregulation in MVBs
Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) are mature endosomes that sort ubiquitinated proteins and then fuse with lysosomes to degrade the sorted proteins. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) form a complex that can be internalized through endocytosis, sorted into an MVB, and later degraded.
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR activation may...
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR activation may...
01:23Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
01:26Antigens 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.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
01:31Antigen 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...
MHC Class I: Presenting Endogenous...
01:22T 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...
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
01:24B Cell Activation and Differentiation
The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...