Antigen presentation and recognition in bacterial infections.
Antigen processing and recognition is a key feature of antibacterial immune responses to intracellular bacteria. In contrast to viruses, which are primarily controlled by conventional MHC II- and MHC I-restricted CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, respectively, unconventional T cells participate additionally in antibacterial protection. These unconventional T cells include glycolipid-specific CD1-restricted T cells and phospholigand-specific gammadelta T cells. We are just beginning to understand the broad spectrum of antigen recognition and stimulation of distinct T-cell populations by bacterial pathogens. From the host perspective, a broad spectrum of different T-cell populations that recognize proteins, lipids and carbohydrates strengthens protective immunity. From the perspective of the pathogen, antigen presentation represents a bottleneck that should be exploited for evasion from, or devastation of, acquired immunity. Although several such mechanisms have been described in viral systems, few have thus far been elucidated in bacterial infections.
Kaufmann
Stefan He
SH
Max-Planck-Institute for Infection Biology, Department of Immunology, Schumannstrasse 21-22, D-10117 Berlin, Germany. kaufmann@mpiib-berlin.mpg.de
Schaible
Ulrich E
UE
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology*; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018949:Antigens, CD1 / Q000276:immunology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D018949:Antigens, CD1; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II