Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Experimental Infection with Listeria monocytogenes as a Model for Studying Host Interferon-γ Responses
10:10

Experimental Infection with Listeria monocytogenes as a Model for Studying Host Interferon-γ Responses

Published on: November 16, 2016

MHC class I antigen processing of Listeria monocytogenes proteins: implications for dominant and subdominant CTL

E G Pamer1, A J Sijts, M S Villanueva

  • 1Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.

Immunological Reviews
|August 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

The MHC class I antigen-processing pathway efficiently generates epitopes for cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL). However, the prevalence of antigens or epitopes does not predict the strength of the immune response to Listeria monocytogenes.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) secretes virulence proteins into host cell cytosol.
  • These proteins are processed by host proteasomes and presented by MHC class I molecules.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficiency of MHC class I antigen processing and epitope generation.
  • To determine the relationship between epitope prevalence and the magnitude of the in vivo CTL response.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of antigen processing by the MHC class I pathway.
  • Quantification of epitope generation from L. monocytogenes antigens.
  • Assessment of cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses in infected mice.

Main Results:

  • The MHC class I antigen-processing pathway is highly efficient in generating T cell epitopes.
  • A significant percentage of degraded antigens (3-30%) are processed into MHC class I-bound nonamer peptides.
  • The immunodominant CTL response is primed by a low-prevalence epitope from a minimally detectable antigen.

Conclusions:

  • Epitope generation efficiency and prevalence alone do not predict the magnitude of T cell responses.
  • Additional, currently unknown factors influence the development of immunodominant and subdominant T cell responses during L. monocytogenes infection.

More Related Videos

Use of Single Chain MHC Technology to Investigate Co-agonism in Human CD8+ T Cell Activation12:09

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

Published on: February 28, 2019

Stability and Structure of Bat Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I with Heterologous β2-Microglobulin11:17

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

Published on: March 10, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Overview
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...
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...
B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B 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...
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...