title: A novel, alternative pathway of apoptosis triggered through class II major histocompatibility complex molecules.
abstract: Major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) molecules, in addition to their role of presenting antigen to T lymphocytes, can serve as receptors triggering programmed cell death. MHC-II induced cell death affects activated/tumour transformed cells selectively, and it proceeds without the involvement of caspases, the major proteases of classical apoptosis. Caspase-independent programmed cell death can also be triggered, albeit less effectively, via a series of other cell surface molecules. Here, we discuss the major characteristics, physiological significance, and clinical relevance of caspase-independent apoptotic pathways with particular emphasis on the one induced by MHC-II ligation.
authors.affiliation: GPC Biotech AG, Fraunhoferstrasse 20, 82152 Martinsried, Germany. zoltan.nagy@gpc-biotech.com
authors.forename: Zoltan A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Nagy
authors.forename: Nuala A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Mooney
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II