Presentation of Type B Peptide–MHC Complexes from Hen Egg White Lysozyme by TLR Ligands and Type I IFNs Independent of H2-DM Regulation

In APCs, presentation by MHC II molecules of the chemically dominant peptide from the protein hen egg white lysozyme (HEL) generates different conformational isomers of the peptide-MHC II complexes (pMHC). Type B pMHCs are formed in early endosomes from exogenous peptides in the absence of H2-DM, whereas in contrast, type A pMHC complexes are formed from HEL protein in late vesicles after editing by H2-DM. Thus, H2-DM edits off the more unstable pMHC complexes, which are not presented from HEL. In this study, we show that type B pMHC complexes were presented from HEL protein only after stimulation of dendritic cells (DC) with TLR ligands or type I IFN. Type I IFN contributed to most TLR ligand-induced type B pMHC generation, as presentation decreased in DC lacking the receptor for type I IFNs (IFNAR1(-/-)). In contrast, presentation of type A pMHC from HEL and from peptide was minimally affected by TLR ligands. The relative effectiveness of CD8α(+) DC or CD8α(-) DC in presenting type B pMHC complexes varied depending on the TLR ligand used. The mechanisms of generation of type B pMHC from HEL protein with TLR stimulation did not involve H2-DM or release of peptides. DC from H2-DM-deficient mice in the presence of TLR ligands presented type B pMHC. Such DC showed a slight enhancement of HEL catabolism, but peptide release was not evident. Thus, TLR ligands and type I IFN alter the pathways of presentation by MHC II molecules of DC such that type B pMHCs are generated from protein Ag.