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The cellular and biochemical rules of lipid antigen presentation
Author(s) -
De Libero Gennaro,
Collmann Anthony,
Mori Lucia
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
european journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.272
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1521-4141
pISSN - 0014-2980
DOI - 10.1002/eji.200939425
Subject(s) - internalization , biology , antigenicity , lipid metabolism , glycolipid , lipid a , antigen presentation , antigen , biochemistry , endocytosis , antigen processing , microbiology and biotechnology , membrane lipids , membrane , cell , immunology , lipopolysaccharide , in vitro , cytotoxic t cell
Abstract The recognition of both protein and lipid antigens follows similar strategies that rely on different molecular mechanisms. APC present lipid antigens exploiting the same mechanisms implicated in lipid translocation, lipoprotein assembly and lipid degradation. An important issue is how the lipid structure contributes to antigenicity. Lipid hydrophobicity influences the modes of internalization by APC, the trafficking through different membrane compartments, the binding to CD1 molecules and the stability of antigenic complexes. Some glycolipids with large hydrophilic parts require processing of the sugar moieties exerted by lysosomal hydrolases. Finally, extraction of lipids from membranes, their solubilization and loading on CD1 molecules are facilitated by the same lysosomal lipid‐binding proteins that are also instrumental in lipid catabolism. More recent investigations reveal how lipid‐specific immunity is regulated during infections. In this review we describe the main cellular and biochemical rules of lipid antigen presentation and discuss their implications in anti‐microbial and autoimmune responses.