The costimulatory function of antigen-presenting cells.
In addition to the expression of MHC-antigen complexes and molecules which non-specifically promote cell adhesion, antigen-presenting cells (APCs) provide costimulatory activity for T-lymphocyte stimulation. Costimulatory molecules are essential for activation and multiplication: the presentation of antigen by cells lacking such molecules may lead to T-cell tolerance. In this review, Casey Weaver and Emil Unanue update information on interleukin 1 (IL-1), the original and best-studied costimulator, and investigate the nature of novel, as yet uncharacterized, costimulatory molecules.
Weaver
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Department of Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110.
Unanue
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D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D007375:Interleukin-1