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4. Functional Analysis of Antigen Processing and Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II-Restricted Presentation
Abstract
Class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC-II) antigens (Ags) are integral membrane glycoproteins that have the unique capacity to bind prepro-cessed peptides, and present them to the immune system. These peptides are derived through a complex series of intracellular processing events that diverge among the plentitude of Ags presented in the context of MHC-II. The trimeric complex, consisting of peptide and class II α- and β-chains, is recognized by epitope specific CD4+T-cells. This fine specificity exhibited by the T-cell receptor is fundamental to the induction of tolerance and pathogen clearance. Therefore, delineating the mechanisms by which certain epitopes are generated and presented to CD4+T-cells may be useful in the development of immu-notherapies for solid tumors and autoimmune diseases, and more efficacious vaccines.
Affiliation(s): (2) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Walther Oncology Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IA
(3) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and the Walther Oncology Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Series: Methods in Molecular Biology  |  Volume: 156  |  Pub. Date: Sep-15-2000  |  Page Range: 49-56  |  DOI: 10.1385/1-59259-062-4:49
Subject:  Immunology
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