Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Immunopeptidomics: Isolation of Mouse and Human MHC Class I- and II-Associated Peptides for Mass Spectrometry Analysis
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Published on: October 15, 2021

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MHC Class II and Beyond: Complex Role of CD74 in Cancer

Joanna Bandola-Simon1, Paul A Roche1

  • 1Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.

Cells
|January 28, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Invariant chain (CD74) is a key regulator of antigen presentation in cancer, influencing immune interactions and therapeutic responses. This review explores CD74

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Invariant chain (CD74) is crucial for Major Histocompatibility Complex class II assembly and peptide loading in antigen-presenting cells.
  • Emerging research highlights CD74's broader role in cancer, affecting antigen presentation, cytokine signaling, and immune evasion.
  • Tumor microenvironments significantly influence CD74 biology and its impact on antitumor immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize evidence on CD74's multifaceted role in cancer immunology.
  • To explore CD74's function as a "master regulator" of antigen presentation in diverse cancers.
  • To examine how CD74 integrates canonical and noncanonical functions in the tumor context.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of recent studies on CD74 in cancer.
  • Analysis of CD74's involvement in antigen presentation, cytokine signaling, and immune evasion.
  • Exploration of CD74's regulatory roles in transcription and signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • CD74 acts as a master regulator of antigen presentation in cancer.
  • CD74 integrates chaperone functions with transcriptional regulation and signaling via macrophage migration inhibitory factor.
  • Tumor microenvironmental factors modulate CD74's impact on antitumor immunity and treatment outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • CD74 plays a pivotal role in shaping the tumor immune microenvironment.
  • Understanding CD74's complex biology is essential for developing effective cancer immunotherapies.
  • CD74 represents a promising therapeutic target for enhancing antitumor responses.

Keywords:
CD74MHC class IIMIFantigen presentationcancerimmunotherapyinvariant chain

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