Class I MHC molecules as probes of membrane patchiness: from biophysical measurements to modulation of immune responses.
Here I summarize decades of work using the biophysics of class I MHC molecules to probe the patchiness and heterogeneity of cell surfaces. This program began as a study of membranes generally. MHC molecules were a convenient probe. However, in recent years, it has become clear that the lateral distribution, clustering, of class I MHC molecules in the membrane affects their recognition by effector CTL. This offers the possibility of enhancing or reducing T-cell recognition of targets by altering the clustering of their membrane proteins.
Edidin
Michael
M
Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA. edidin@jhu.edu
D000818:Animals; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004058:Diffusion; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I