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Diversity in MHC class II antigen presentation
Author(s) -
Robinson John H.,
Delvig Alexei A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1046/j.0019-2805.2001.01358.x
Subject(s) - antigen processing , antigen presentation , major histocompatibility complex , biology , mhc restriction , immunology , mhc class i , antigen , mhc class ii , autoimmunity , immune system , antigen presenting cell , microbiology and biotechnology , t cell
Summary Processing exogenous and endogenous proteins for presentation by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules to T cells is the defining function of antigen‐presenting cells (APC) as major regulatory cells in the acquired immune response. MHC class II‐restricted antigen presentation to CD4 T cells is achieved by an essentially common pathway that is subject to variation with regard to the location and extent of degradation of protein antigens and the site of peptide binding to MHC class II molecules. These subtle variations reveal a surprising flexibility in the ways a diverse peptide repertoire is displayed on the APC surface. This diversity may have profound consequences for the induction of immunity to infection and tumours, as well as autoimmunity and tolerance.