title: T cell recognition of non-peptidic antigens in infectious diseases.
abstract: The immune system has evolved to recognize a wide range of antigenic molecules of self and non-self origin. The stimulatory antigens form complexes with antigen-presenting molecules and directly interact with the T cell receptor (TCR). Peptidic antigens associate with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules and therefore, are indicated as MHC-restricted. Non-peptidic antigens do not bind to MHC molecules and are presented by other classes of antigen-presenting molecules. These non-MHC restricted antigens include glycolipid molecules, phosphorylated metabolites of the mevalonate pathway and vitamin B2 precursors. T cells specific for non-peptidic antigens have important roles in host defense against infections, autoimmunity, allergies and tumour immunosurveillance. Hence, understanding the molecular interactions between the antigen presenting cell (APC) and the T cells with non-peptidic specificity is of great relevance. Here, we review current knowledge of this type of T cells, their TCR repertoire, the structural aspects of recognized antigens, the mode of antigen recognition, and their function with special emphasis on their role in infectious diseases.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singhal
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.affiliation: SIgN (Singapore Immunology Network), AFNx01STAR (Agency for Science, Technology & Research), Singapore; Experimental Immunology, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland, .
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Libero
mesh_terms: D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000276:immunology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D012256:Riboflavin