MHC and MHC-like molecules: structural perspectives on the design of molecular vaccines.
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules bind and present short antigenic peptide fragments on the surface of antigen presenting cells (APCs) to T-cell receptors. Recognition of peptide-MHC complexes by T-cells initiates a cascade of signals in T-cells and activated cells either destroy or help to destroy the APC. The MHCs are divided into three subgroups: MHC class I, MHC class II and MHC class III. In addition, nonclassical MHC molecules and MHC-like molecules play a pivotal role in shaping our understanding of the immune response. In the design of molecular vaccines for the treatment of diseases, an understanding of the three-dimensional structure ofMHC, its interaction with peptide ligands and its interaction with the T-cell receptor are important prerequisites, all of which are discussed herein.
Apostolopoulos
Vasso
V
Burnet Institute at Austin, Kronheimer Building, Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia. vasso@burnet.edu.au
Lazoura
Eliada
E
Yu
Minmin
M
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000276:immunology*
D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D010455:Peptides; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic