title: Antigen presentation.
abstract: This paper reviews some of the cellular events involved in the immune recognition of foreign proteins. The recognition of an antigen by T lymphocytes is essential for its effective elimination by the host. T lymphocytes of the CD4 or CD8 subset recognize antigen but only after the antigen is handled by antigen-handling cells (antigen-presenting cells). Antigen molecules are recognized after an internal processing event by antigen-presenting cells that results in the generation of immunogenic peptides. Such peptides associate with histocompatibility molecules to form bimolecular complexes on the cell surface. The T cell receptors for antigen recognize the bimolecular complex and initiate the events that result in an inflammatory response. Antigen-presenting cells also produce molecules - termed costimulators - that stimulate the growth and differentiation of T lymphocytes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Unanue
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Cerottini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens