MHC class I alleles and their exploration of the antigen-processing machinery.
At the cell surface, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules present fragments of intracellular antigens to the immune system. This is the end result of a cascade of events initiated by multiple steps of proteolysis. Only a small part of the fragments escapes degradation by interacting with the peptide transporter associated with antigen presentation and is translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum lumen for binding to MHC class I molecules. Subsequently, these newly formed complexes can be transported to the plasma membrane for presentation. Every step in this process confers specificity and determines the ultimate result: presentation of only few fragments from a given antigen. Here, we introduce the players in the antigen processing and presentation cascade and describe their specificity and allelic variation. We highlight MHC class I alleles, which are not only different in sequence but also use different aspects of the antigen presentation pathway to their advantage: peptide acquaintance.
Groothuis
Tom A M
TA
Division of Tumour Biology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Griekspoor
Alexander C
AC
Neijssen
Joost J
JJ
Herberts
Carla A
CA
Neefjes
Jacques J
JJ
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I