chapter 8
The results of these experiments, outlined in Figure 8-1,
showed that strain-2 antigen-pulsed macrophages activated
strain-2 and F
1
T cells but not strain-13 T cells. Similarly,
strain-13 antigen-pulsed macrophages activated strain-13
and F
1
T cells but not strain-2 T cells. Subsequently, congenic
and recombinant congenic strains of mice, which differed
from each other only in selected regions of the H-2 complex,
were used as the source of macrophages and T cells. These ex-
periments confirmed that the CD4
H11001
T
H
cell is activated and
proliferates only in the presence of antigen-pulsed
macrophages that share class II MHC alleles. Thus, antigen
recognition by the CD4
H11001
T
H
cell is class II MHC restricted.
In 1974 R. Zinkernagel and P. Doherty demonstrated the
self-MHC restriction of CD8
H11001
T cells. In their experiments,
mice were immunized with lymphocytic choriomeningitis
(LCM) virus; several days later, the animals’ spleen cells,
which included T
C
cells specific for the virus, were isolated
and incubated with LCM-infected target cells of the same or
different haplotype (Figure 8-2). They found that the T
C
cells
killed only syngeneic virus-infected target cells. Later studies
with congenic and recombinant congenic strains showed
a73 Self-MHC Restriction of T Cells
a73 Role of Antigen-Presenting Cells
a73 Evidence for Two Processing and Presentation
Pathways
a73 Endogenous Antigens: The Cytosolic Pathway
a73 Exogenous Antigens: The Endocytic Pathway
a73 Presentation of Nonpeptide Antigens
Antigen Processing
and Presentation
R
?????????? ?? ??????? ??????? ???????? ??
a T cell requires that peptides derived from the
antigen be displayed within the cleft of an MHC
molecule on the membrane of a cell. The formation of these
peptide-MHC complexes requires that a protein antigen be
degraded into peptides by a sequence of events called anti-
gen processing. The degraded peptides then associate with
MHC molecules within the cell interior, and the peptide-
MHC complexes are transported to the membrane, where
they are displayed (antigen presentation).
Class I and class II MHC molecules associate with pep-
tides that have been processed in different intracellular com-
partments. Class I MHC molecules bind peptides derived
from endogenous antigens that have been processed within
the cytoplasm of the cell (e.g., normal cellular proteins, tu-
mor proteins, or viral and bacterial proteins produced
within infected cells). Class II MHC molecules bind peptides
derived from exogenous antigens that are internalized by
phagocytosis or endocytosis and processed within the endo-
cytic pathway. This chapter examines in more detail the
mechanism of antigen processing and the means by which
processed antigen and MHC molecules are combined. In ad-
dition, a third pathway for the presentation of nonpeptide
antigens derived from bacterial pathogens is described.
Self-MHC Restriction of T Cells
Both CD4
H11001
and CD8
H11001
T cells can recognize antigen only when
it is presented by a self-MHC molecule, an attribute called self-
MHC restriction. Beginning in the mid-1970s, experiments
conducted by a number of researchers demonstrated self-
MHC restriction in T-cell recognition. A. Rosenthal and E.
Shevach, for example, showed that antigen-specific prolifera-
tion of T
H
cells occurred only in response to antigen presented
by macrophages of the same MHC haplotype as the T cells. In
their experimental system, guinea pig macrophages from
strain 2 were initially incubated with an antigen. After the
“antigen-pulsed” macrophages had processed the antigen and
presented it on their surface, they were mixed with T cells from
the same strain (strain 2), a different strain (strain 13), or
(2 H11003 13) F
1
animals, and the magnitude of T-cell proliferation
in response to the antigen-pulsed macrophages was measured.
Antigen Processing for Presentation by Class I MHC
Molecules
8536d_ch08_185-199 8/22/02 11:49 AM Page 185 mac100 mac 100: 1268_tm:8536d:Goldsby et al. / Immunology 5e-:
restricted. In 1996, Doherty and Zinkernagel were awarded
the Nobel prize for their major contribution to the under-
standing of cell-mediated immunity.
Role of Antigen-Presenting Cells
As early as 1959, immunologists were confronted with data
suggesting that T cells and B cells recognized antigen by dif-
ferent mechanisms. The dogma of the time, which persisted
until the 1980s, was that cells of the immune system recog-
nize the entire protein in its native conformation. However,
experiments by P. G. H. Gell and B. Benacerraf demonstrated
that, while a primary antibody response and cell-mediated
response were induced by a protein in its native conforma-
tion, a secondary antibody response (mediated by B cells)
could be induced only by native antigen, whereas a secondary
186 PART II Generation of B-Cell and T-Cell Responses
Antigen-pulsed macrophages
Antigen-primed
T cell Strain 2 Strain 13 (2 × 13)F
1
Strain 2
Strain 13
(2 × 13)F
1
+
+
?
?+
+
+
+
+
Strain 2 or 13
or (2 × 13)F
1
Strain 2 or 13
or (2 × 13)F
1
Antigen
Peritoneal exudate cells
Peritoneal macrophages
Adherent cells
Antigen
Antigen-pulsed
macrophages
Measure T-cell
proliferation
Lymph node cells
Antigen-primed
T-cells
Adherence
column
(retains
macrophages)
7 days
FIGURE 8-1 Experimental demonstration of self-MHC restriction of
T
H
cells. Peritoneal exudate cells from strain 2, strain 13, or (2 H11003 13) F
1
guinea pigs were incubated in plastic Petri dishes, allowing enrichment
of macrophages, which are adherent cells. The peritoneal macro-
phages were then incubated with antigen. These “antigen-pulsed”
macrophages were incubated in vitro with T cells from strain 2, strain
13, or (2 H11003 13) F
1
guinea pigs, and the degree of T-cell proliferation
was assessed. The results indicated that T
H
cells could proliferate only
in response to antigen presented by macrophages that shared MHC al-
leles. [Adapted from A. Rosenthal and E. Shevach, 1974, J. Exp. Med.
138:1194, by copyright permission of the Rockefeller University Press.]
that the T
C
cell and the virus-infected target cell must share
class I molecules encoded by the K or D regions of the MHC.
Thus, antigen recognition by CD8
H11001
T
C
cells is class I MHC
Spleen cells
(containing T
c
cells)
H–2
k
target cells
H–2
k
LCM-infected
target cells
H–2
b
LCM-infected
target cells
–
51
Cr release
(no lysis)
–
51
Cr release
(no lysis)
+
51
Cr release
(lysis)
H–2
k
LCM virus
51
Cr
FIGURE 8-2 Classic experiment of Zinkernagel and Doherty
demonstrating that antigen recognition by T
C
cells exhibits MHC re-
striction. H-2
k
mice were primed with the lymphocytic choriomenin-
gitis (LCM) virus to induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) specific
for the virus. Spleen cells from this LCM-primed mouse were then
added to target cells of different H-2 haplotypes that were intracellu-
larly labeled with
51
Cr (black dots) and either infected or not with the
LCM virus. CTL-mediated killing of the target cells, as measured by
the release of
51
Cr into the culture supernatant, occurred only if the
target cells were infected with LCM and had the same MHC haplo-
type as the CTLs. [Adapted from P. C. Doherty and R. M. Zinkernagel,
1975, J. Exp. Med. 141:502.]
8536d_ch08_185-199 8/2/02 10:08 AM Page 186 mac79 Mac 79:45_BW:Goldsby et al. / Immunology 5e:
cell-mediated response could be induced by either the native
or the denatured antigen (see Table 3-5). These findings were
viewed as an interesting enigma, but implications for antigen
presentation were completely overlooked until the early
1980s.
Processing of Antigen Is Required
for Recognition by T Cells
The results obtained by K. Ziegler and E. R. Unanue were
among those that contradicted the prevailing dogma that
antigen recognition by B and T cells was basically similar.
These researchers observed that T
H
-cell activation by bacter-
ial protein antigens was prevented by treating the antigen-
presenting cells with paraformaldehyde prior to antigen
exposure. However, if the antigen-presenting cells were first
allowed to ingest the antigen and were fixed with paraform-
aldehyde 1–3 h later, T
H
-cell activation still occurred (Figure
8-3a,b). During that interval of 1–3 h, the antigen-presenting
cells had processed the antigen and had displayed it on the
membrane in a form able to activate T cells.
Subsequent experiments by R. P. Shimonkevitz showed
that internalization and processing could be bypassed if anti-
gen-presenting cells were exposed to peptide digests of an
antigen instead of the native antigen (Figure 8-3c). In these
experiments, antigen-presenting cells were treated with glu-
taraldehyde (this chemical, like paraformaldehyde, fixes the
cell, making the membrane impermeable) and then incu-
bated with native ovalbumin or with ovalbumin that had
been subjected to partial enzymatic digestion. The digested
ovalbumin was able to interact with the glutaraldehyde-fixed
antigen-presenting cells, thereby activating ovalbumin-
specific T
H
cells, whereas the native ovalbumin failed to do
so. These results suggest that antigen processing involves the
digestion of the protein into peptides that are recognized by
the ovalbumin-specific T
H
cells.
Antigen Processing and Presentation CHAPTER 8 187
FIGURE 8-3 Experimental demonstration that antigen process-
ing is necessary for T
H
-cell activation. (a) When antigen-presenting
cells (APCs) are fixed before exposure to antigen, they are unable
to activate T
H
cells. (b) In contrast, APCs fixed at least 1 h after
antigen exposure can activate T
H
cells. (c) When APCs are fixed
before antigen exposure and incubated with peptide digests of the
antigen (rather than native antigen), they also can activate T
H
cells.
T
H
-cell activation is determined by measuring a specific T
H
-cell
response (e.g., cytokine secretion).
T-CELL
ACTIVATION
EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS
+
Antigen
peptides
Fixation
APC
Fixation
–
APCAPC
Antigen
1h
Antigen
1h
APC
APC
T
H
cell
APC
+
Fixation
APC
T
H
cell
(a)
(b)
(c)
8536d_ch08_185-199 8/2/02 10:08 AM Page 187 mac79 Mac 79:45_BW:Goldsby et al. / Immunology 5e:
At about the same time, A. Townsend and his colleagues
began to identify the proteins of influenza virus that were
recognized by T
C
cells. Contrary to their expectations, they
found that internal proteins of the virus, such as matrix
and nucleocapsid proteins, were often recognized by T
C
cells better than the more exposed envelope proteins.
Moreover, Townsend’s work revealed that T
C
cells recog-
nized short linear peptide sequences of the influenza pro-
tein. In fact, when noninfected target cells were incubated
in vitro with synthetic peptides corresponding to se-
quences of internal influenza proteins, these cells could be
recognized by T
C
cells and subsequently lysed just as well
as target cells that had been infected with live influenza
virus. These findings along with those presented in Figure
8-3 suggest that antigen processing is a metabolic process
that digests proteins into peptides, which can then be dis-
played on the cell membrane together with a class I or class
II MHC molecule.
Most Cells Can Present Antigen with Class I
MHC; Presentation with Class II MHC
Is Restricted to APCs
Since all cells expressing either class I or class II MHC mole-
cules can present peptides to T cells, strictly speaking they all
could be designated as antigen-presenting cells. However, by
convention, cells that display peptides associated with class I
MHC molecules to CD8
H11001
T
C
cells are referred to as target cells;
cells that display peptides associated with class II MHC mole-
cules to CD4
H11001
T
H
cells are called antigen-presenting cells
(APCs). This convention is followed throughout this text.
A variety of cells can function as antigen-presenting cells.
Their distinguishing feature is their ability to express class II
MHC molecules and to deliver a co-stimulatory signal. Three
cell types are classified as professional antigen-presenting
cells: dendritic cells, macrophages, and B lymphocytes. These
cells differ from each other in their mechanisms of antigen
uptake, in whether they constitutively express class II MHC
molecules, and in their co-stimulatory activity:
a73
Dendritic cells are the most effective of the antigen-
presenting cells. Because these cells constitutively express
a high level of class II MHC molecules and co-
stimulatory activity, they can activate naive T
H
cells.
a73
Macrophages must be activated by phagocytosis of
particulate antigens before they express class II MHC
molecules or the co-stimulatory B7 membrane
molecule.
a73
B cells constitutively express class II MHC molecules but
must be activated before they express the co-stimulatory
B7 molecule.
Several other cell types, classified as nonprofessional
antigen-presenting cells, can be induced to express class II
MHC molecules or a co-stimulatory signal (Table 8-1).
Many of these cells function in antigen presentation only
for short periods of time during a sustained inflammatory
response.
Because nearly all nucleated cells express class I MHC
molecules, virtually any nucleated cell is able to function as a
target cell presenting endogenous antigens to T
C
cells. Most
often, target cells are cells that have been infected by a virus
or some other intracellular microorganism. However, altered
self-cells such as cancer cells, aging body cells, or allogeneic
cells from a graft can also serve as targets.
Evidence for Two Processing
and Presentation Pathways
The immune system uses two different pathways to eliminate
intracellular and extracellular antigens. Endogenous anti-
gens (those generated within the cell) are processed in the cy-
tosolic pathway and presented on the membrane with class I
MHC molecules; exogenous antigens (those taken up by en-
docytosis) are processed in the endocytic pathway and pre-
sented on the membrane with class II MHC molecules
(Figure 8-4).
Experiments carried out by L. A. Morrison and T. J.
Braciale provided early evidence that the antigenic peptides
presented by class I and class II MHC molecules are derived
from different processing pathways. These researchers based
their experimental protocol on the properties of two clones
of T
C
cells, one that recognized influenza hemagglutinin
(HA) associated with a class I MHC molecule, and an
atypical T
C
line that recognized the same antigen associated
with a class II MHC molecule. (In this case, and in some
188 PART II Generation of B-Cell and T-Cell Responses
TABLE 8-1 Antigen-presenting cells
Professional antigen-presenting cells Nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells
Dendritic cells (several types) Fibroblasts (skin) Thymic epithelial cells
Macrophages Glial cells (brain) Thyroid epithelial cells
B cells Pancreatic beta cells Vascular endothelial cells
8536d_ch08_185-199 8/22/02 11:49 AM Page 188 mac100 mac 100: 1268_tm:8536d:Goldsby et al. / Immunology 5e-:
others as well, the association of T-cell function with MHC
restriction is not absolute). In one set of experiments, target
cells that expressed both class I and class II MHC molecules
were incubated with infectious influenza virus or with UV-
inactivated influenza virus. (The inactivated virus retained
its antigenic properties but was no longer capable of replicat-
ing within the target cells.) The target cells were then incu-
bated with the class I–restricted or the atypical class II–
restricted T
C
cells and subsequent lysis of the target cells was
determined. The results of their experiments, presented in
Table 8-2, show that the class II–restricted T
C
cells responded
to target cells treated with either infectious or noninfectious
influenza virions. The class I–restricted T
C
cells responded
only to target cells treated with infectious virions. Similarly,
target cells that had been treated with infectious influenza
virions in the presence of emetine, which inhibits viral pro-
tein synthesis, stimulated the class II–restricted T
C
cells but
not the class I–restricted T
C
cells. Conversely, target cells that
had been treated with infectious virions in the presence of
chloroquine, a drug that blocks the endocytic processing
pathway, stimulated class I– but not class II–restricted T
C
cells.
These results support the distinction between the process-
ing of exogenous and endogenous antigens, including the
preferential association of exogenous antigens with class II
MHC molecules and of endogenous antigens with class I
Antigen Processing and Presentation CHAPTER 8 189
FIGURE 8-4 Overview of cytosolic and endocytic pathways for
processing antigen. The proteasome complex contains enzymes
that cleave peptide bonds, converting proteins into peptides. The
antigenic peptides from proteasome cleavage and those from
endocytic compartments associate with class I or class II MHC
molecules, and the peptide-MHC complexes are then transported
to the cell membrane. TAP (transporter of antigenic peptides)
transports the peptides to the endoplasmic reticulum. It should be
noted that the ultimate fate of most peptides in the cell is neither
of these pathways, but rather to be degraded completely into
amino acids.
CYTOSOLIC PATHWAY
ENDOCYTIC PATHWAY
Endogenous
antigens
± Ubiquitin
ATP
Exogenous
antigens
Cytoplasmic
proteasome
complex
Peptides
Peptides
TAP
Endoplasmic
reticulum
Peptide–class I
MHC complex
Peptide–class II
MHC complex
Exopeptidases Amino
acids
Endocytosis
or
phagocytosis
Endocytic compartments
TABLE 8-2 Effect of antigen presentation on activation of class I and class II MHC-restricted T
C
cells
CTL ACTIVITY
?
Treatment of target cells
*
Class I restricted Class II restricted
Infectious virus H11001H11001
UV-inactivated virus (noninfectious) H11002H11001
Infectious virus H11001 emetine H11002H11001
Infectious virus H11001 chloroquine H11001H11002
*
Target cells, which expressed both class I and class II MHC molecules, were treated with the indicated preparations of influenza virus and other agents. Emetine
inhibits viral protein synthesis, and chloroquine inhibits the endocytic processing pathway.
?
Determined by lysis (H11001) and no lysis (H11002) of the target cells.
SOURCE: Adapted from T. J. Braciale et al., 1987, Immunol. Rev. 98:95.
8536d_ch08_185-199 8/2/02 10:08 AM Page 189 mac79 Mac 79:45_BW:Goldsby et al. / Immunology 5e:
MHC molecules. Association of viral antigen with class I
MHC molecules required replication of the influenza virus
and viral protein synthesis within the target cells; association
with class II did not. These findings suggested that the pep-
tides presented by class I and class II MHC molecules are
trafficked through separate intracellular compartments; class
I MHC molecules interact with peptides derived from cy-
tosolic degradation of endogenously synthesized proteins,
class II molecules with peptides derived from endocytic
degradation of exogenous antigens. The next two sections
examine these two pathways in detail.
Endogenous Antigens:
The Cytosolic Pathway
In eukaryotic cells, protein levels are carefully regulated.
Every protein is subject to continuous turnover and is de-
graded at a rate that is generally expressed in terms of its half-
life. Some proteins (e.g., transcription factors, cyclins, and
key metabolic enzymes) have very short half-lives; dena-
tured, misfolded, or otherwise abnormal proteins also are de-
graded rapidly. The pathway by which endogenous antigens
are degraded for presentation with class I MHC molecules
utilizes the same pathways involved in the normal turnover
of intracellular proteins.
Peptides for Presentation Are Generated by
Protease Complexes Called Proteasomes
Intracellular proteins are degraded into short peptides by a cy-
tosolic proteolytic system present in all cells. Those proteins
targeted for proteolysis often have a small protein, called
ubiquitin, attached to them (Figure 8-5a). Ubiquitin-protein
conjugates can be degraded by a multifunctional protease
complex called a proteasome. Each proteasome is a large
(26S), cylindrical particle consisting of four rings of pro-
tein subunits with a central channel of diameter 10–50 ?.
A proteasome can cleave peptide bonds between 2 or 3
different amino acid combinations in an ATP-dependent
process (Figure 8-5b). Degradation of ubiquitin-protein
complexes is thought to occur within the central hollow of
the proteasome.
Experimental evidence indicates that the immune system
utilizes this general pathway of protein degradation to
produce small peptides for presentation with class I MHC
molecules. The proteasomes involved in antigen processing
include two subunits encoded within the MHC gene cluster,
LMP2 and LMP7, and a third non-MHC protein, LMP10
(also called MECL-1). All three are induced by increased lev-
els of the T-cell cytokine IFN-H9253. The peptidase activities of
proteasomes containing LMP2, LMP7, and LMP10 preferen-
tially generate peptides that bind to MHC class I molecules.
Such proteasomes, for example, show increased hydrolysis
of peptide bonds that follow basic and/or hydrophobic
residues. As described in Chapter 7, peptides that bind to
class I MHC molecules terminate almost exclusively with hy-
drophobic or basic residues.
Peptides Are Transported from the Cytosol
to the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
Insight into the role that peptide transport, the delivery of
peptides to the MHC molecule, plays in the cytosolic pro-
cessing pathway came from studies of cell lines with defects
in peptide presentation by class I MHC molecules. One such
mutant cell line, called RMA-S, expresses about 5% of the
normal levels of class I MHC molecules on its membrane. Al-
though RMA-S cells synthesize normal levels of class I H9251
chains and H9252
2
-microglobulin, neither molecule appears on
the membrane. A clue to the mutation in the RMA-S cell line
was the discovery by A. Townsend and his colleagues that
“feeding” these cells peptides restored their level of mem-
brane-associated class I MHC molecules to normal. These
investigators suggested that peptides might be required to
stabilize the interaction between the class I H9251 chain and
H9252
2
-microglobulin. The ability to restore expression of class
I MHC molecules on the membrane by feeding the cells
predigested peptides suggested that the RMA-S cell line
might have a defect in peptide transport.
190 PART II Generation of B-Cell and T-Cell Responses
COOH
H
2
N
NH
C
O
Ubiquitin
(b)
COOH
NH
2
(a)
ε-amino group on
lysine side chain
COOH
H
2
N
NH
C
O
Ubiquitin
NH
2
Ubiquinating enzyme
complex + ubiquitin
AMP + PPiATP
Protein Proteasome Peptides
Proteolytic
enzyme subunit
FIGURE 8-5 Cytosolic proteolytic system for degradation of intra-
cellular proteins. (a) Proteins to be degraded are often covalently
linked to a small protein called ubiquitin. In this reaction, which re-
quires ATP, a ubiquinating enzyme complex links several ubiquitin
molecules to a lysine-amino group near the amino terminus of the
protein. (b) Degradation of ubiquitin-protein complexes occurs
within the central channel of proteasomes, generating a variety of
peptides. Proteasomes are large cylindrical particles whose subunits
catalyze cleavage of peptide bonds.
8536d_ch08_185-199 8/2/02 10:08 AM Page 190 mac79 Mac 79:45_BW:Goldsby et al. / Immunology 5e:
Antigen Processing and Presentation CHAPTER 8 191
(a)
Amino acids
Peptides
Calreticulin
Tapasin
Class I α chain
Calnexin
(b) Cytosol
TAP
Protein
RER
lumen
RER
lumen
TAP1 TAP2
Cytosol
ATP ATP
RER membrane
ATP
ADP + Pi
Class
I MHC
FIGURE 8-6 Generation of antigenic peptide–class I MHC com-
plexes in the cytosolic pathway. (a) Schematic diagram of TAP, a het-
erodimer anchored in the membrane of the rough endoplasmic
reticulum (RER). The two chains are encoded by TAP1 and TAP2. The cy-
tosolic domain in each TAP subunit contains an ATP-binding site, and
peptide transport depends on the hydrolysis of ATP. (b) In the cytosol,
association of LMP2, LMP7, and LMP10 (black spheres) with a protea-
some changes its catalytic specificity to favor production of peptides that
bind to class I MHC molecules. Within the RER membrane, a newly syn-
thesized class I H9251 chain associates with calnexin until H9252
2
-microglobulin
binds to the H9251 chain. The class I H9251 chain/H9252
2
-microglobulin heterodimer
then binds to calreticulin and the TAP-associated protein tapasin. When
a peptide delivered by TAP is bound to the class I molecule, folding of
MHC class I is complete and it is released from the RER and transported
through the Golgi to the surface of the cell.
Subsequent experiments showed that the defect in the
RMA-S cell line occurs in the protein that transports pep-
tides from the cytoplasm to the RER, where class I molecules
are synthesized. When RMA-S cells were transfected with a
functional gene encoding the transporter protein, the cells
began to express class I molecules on the membrane. The
transporter protein, designated TAP (for transporter asso-
ciated with antigen processing) is a membrane-spanning
heterodimer consisting of two proteins: TAP1 and TAP2
(Figure 8-6a). In addition to their multiple transmembrane
segments, the TAP1 and TAP2 proteins each have a domain
projecting into the lumen of the RER, and an ATP-binding
domain that projects into the cytosol. Both TAP1 and TAP2
belong to the family of ATP-binding cassette proteins found
in the membranes of many cells, including bacteria; these
proteins mediate ATP-dependent transport of amino acids,
sugars, ions, and peptides.
Peptides generated in the cytosol by the proteasome are
translocated by TAP into the RER by a process that requires
the hydrolysis of ATP (Figure 8-6b). TAP has the highest
affinity for peptides containing 8–10 amino acids, which is
the optimal peptide length for class I MHC binding. In addi-
tion, TAP appears to favor peptides with hydrophobic or ba-
sic carboxyl-terminal amino acids, the preferred anchor
residues for class I MHC molecules. Thus, TAP is optimized
to transport peptides that will interact with class I MHC
molecules.
The TAP1 and TAP2 genes map within the class II MHC
region, adjacent to the LMP2 and LMP7 genes (see Figure
7-15). Both the transporter genes and these LMP genes are
polymorphic; that is, different allelic forms of these genes
exist within the population. Allelic differences in LMP-me-
diated proteolytic cleavage of protein antigens or in the
transport of different peptides from the cytosol into the RER
may contribute to the observed variation among individuals
in their response to different endogenous antigens. TAP
deficiencies can lead to a disease syndrome that has aspects
of both immunodeficiency and autoimmunity (see Clinical
Focus).
Peptides Assemble with Class I MHC Aided
by Chaperone Molecules
Like other proteins, the H9251 chain and H9252
2
-microglobulin
components of the class I MHC molecule are synthesized
on polysomes along the rough endoplasmic reticulum. As-
sembly of these components into a stable class I MHC
molecular complex that can exit the RER requires the
presence of a peptide in the binding groove of the class I
molecule. The assembly process involves several steps and
includes the participation of molecular chaperones, which
facilitate the folding of polypeptides. The first molecular
chaperone involved in class I MHC assembly is calnexin, a
resident membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum.
Calnexin associates with the free class I H9251 chain and pro-
motes its folding. When H9252
2
-microglobulin binds to the H9251
chain, calnexin is released and the class I molecule associ-
ates with the chaperone calreticulin and with tapasin.
Tapasin (TAP-associated protein) brings the TAP trans-
porter into proximity with the class I molecule and
allows it to acquire an antigenic peptide (Figure 8-7). The
physical association of the H9251 chain–H9252
2
-microglobulin
8536d_ch08_185-199 8/2/02 10:08 AM Page 191 mac79 Mac 79:45_BW:Goldsby et al. / Immunology 5e:
192 PART II Generation of B-Cell and T-Cell Responses
of the upper respiratory tract, and in the
second decade begins to have chronic in-
fection of the lungs. It is thought that a
post-nasal-drip syndrome common in
younger patients promotes the bacterial
lung infections in later life. Noteworthy is
the absence of any severe viral infection,
which is common in immunodeficien-
cies with T-cell involvement (see Chapter
19). Bronchiectasis (dilation of the
bronchial tubes) often occurs and recur-
ring infections can lead to lung damage
that may be fatal. The most characteristic
mark of the deficiency is the occurrence
of necrotizing skin lesions on the extrem-
ities and the midface. These lesions ul-
cerate and may cause disfigurement (see
figure). The skin lesions are probably due
to activated NK cells and H9253H9254 T cells; NK
cells were isolated from biopsied skin
from several patients, supporting this
possibility. Normally, the activity of NK
cells is limited through the action of
killer-cell-inhibitory receptors (KIRs),
which deliver a negative signal to the NK
cell following interaction with class I
molecules (see Chapter 14). The defi-
ciency of class I molecules in TAP-related
BLS patients explains the excessive activ-
ity of the NK cells. Activation of NK cells
further explains the absence of severe
virus infections, which are limited by NK
and H9253H9254 cells.
The best treatment for the character-
istic lung infections appears to be antibi-
otics and intravenous immunoglobulin.
Attempts to limit the skin disease by im-
munosuppressive regimens, such as
steroid treatment or cytotoxic agents,
can lead to exacerbation of lesions and is
therefore contraindicated. Mutations in
the promoter region of TAP that preclude
expression of the gene were found for
several patients, suggesting the possibil-
ity of gene therapy, but the cellular distri-
bution of class I is so widespread that it
is not clear what cells would need to be
corrected to alleviate all symptoms.
A relatively rare con-
dition known as bare lymphocyte syn-
drome, or BLS, has been recognized for
more than 22 years. The lymphocytes in
BLS patients express MHC molecules at
below-normal levels and, in some cases,
not at all. In type 1 BLS, a deficiency in
MHC class I molecules exists; in type 2
BLS, expression of class II molecules is
impaired. The pathogenesis of one type
of BLS underscores the importance of
the class I family of MHC molecules in
their dual roles of preventing autoim-
munity as well as defending against
pathogens.
Defects in promoter sequences that
preclude MHC gene transcription were
found for some type 2 BLS cases, but in
many instances the nature of the under-
lying defect is not known. A recent study
has identified a group of patients with
type 1 BLS due to defects in TAP1 or
TAP2 genes. Manifestations of the TAP
deficiency were consistent in this patient
group and define a unique disease. As
described earlier in this chapter, TAP pro-
teins are necessary for the loading of
peptides onto class I molecules, a step
that is essential for expression of class I
MHC molecules on the cell surface. Lym-
phocytes in individuals with TAP defi-
ciency express levels of class I molecules
significantly lower than normal controls.
Other cellular abnormalities include in-
creased numbers of NK and H9253H9254 T cells,
and decreased levels of CD8
H11001
H9251H9252 T cells.
As we shall see, the disease manifesta-
tions are reasonably well explained by
these deviations in the levels of certain
cells involved in immune function.
In early life the TAP-deficient individ-
ual suffers frequent bacterial infections
CLINICAL FOCUS
Deficiency in Transporters
Associated with Antigen
Presentation (TAP) Leads to a
Diverse Disease Spectrum
Necrotizing granulomatous lesions in the midface of patient with TAP-deficiency syn-
drome. TAP deficiency leads to a condition with symptoms characteristic of autoimmu-
nity, such as the skin lesions that appear on the extremities and the midface, as well as
immunodeficiency that causes chronic sinusitis, leading to recurrent lung infection.
[From S. D. Gadola et al., 1999, Lancet 354:1598, and 2000, Clinical and Experimental
Immunology 121:173.]
8536d_ch08_185-199 8/22/02 11:49 AM Page 192 mac100 mac 100: 1268_tm:8536d:Goldsby et al. / Immunology 5e-:
Antigen Processing and Presentation CHAPTER 8 193
heterodimer with the TAP protein (see Figure 8-6b) pro-
motes peptide capture by the class I molecule before the pep-
tides are exposed to the luminal environment of the RER.
Peptides not bound by class I molecules are rapidly degraded.
As a consequence of peptide binding, the class I molecule dis-
plays increased stability and can dissociate from calreticulin
and tapasin, exit from the RER, and proceed to the cell sur-
face via the Golgi. An additional chaperone protein, ERp57,
has been observed in association with calnexin and calretic-
ulin complexes. The precise role of this resident endoplasmic
reticulum protein in the class I peptide assembly and loading
process has not yet been defined, but it is thought to con-
tribute to the formation of disulfide bonds during the matu-
ration of class I chains. Because its role is not clearly defined,
ERp57 is not shown in Figures 8-6 and 8-7.
Exogenous Antigens: The Endocytic
Pathway
Figure 8-8 recapitulates the endogenous pathway discussed
previously (left side), and compares it with the separate exoge-
nous pathway (right), which we shall now consider. Whether
an antigenic peptide associates with class I or with class II mol-
ecules is dictated by the mode of entry into the cell, either ex-
ogenous or endogenous, and by the site of processing.
Antigen-presenting cells can internalize antigen by phago-
cytosis, endocytosis, or both. Macrophages internalize antigen
by both processes, whereas most other APCs are not phago-
cytic or are poorly phagocytic and therefore internalize exoge-
nous antigen only by endocytosis (either receptor-mediated
endocytosis or pinocytosis). B cells, for example, internalize
antigen very effectively by receptor-mediated endocytosis us-
ing antigen-specific membrane antibody as the receptor.
Peptides Are Generated from Internalized
Molecules in Endocytic Vesicles
Once an antigen is internalized, it is degraded into peptides
within compartments of the endocytic processing pathway. As
the experiment shown in Figure 8-3 demonstrated, internal-
ized antigen takes 1–3 h to transverse the endocytic pathway
and appear at the cell surface in the form of peptide–class II
MHC complexes. The endocytic pathway appears to involve
three increasingly acidic compartments: early endosomes (pH
6.0–6.5); late endosomes, or endolysosomes (pH 5.0–6.0); and
lysosomes (pH 4.5–5.0). Internalized antigen moves from
early to late endosomes and finally to lysosomes, encountering
hydrolytic enzymes and a lower pH in each compartment (Fig-
ure 8-9). Lysosomes, for example, contain a unique collection
of more than 40 acid-dependent hydrolases, including pro-
teases, nucleases, glycosidases, lipases, phospholipases, and
phosphatases. Within the compartments of the endocytic
pathway, antigen is degraded into oligopeptides of about 13–
18 residues, which bind to class II MHC molecules. Because the
hydrolytic enzymes are optimally active under acidic condi-
tions (low pH), antigen processing can be inhibited by chemi-
cal agents that increase the pH of the compartments (e.g.,
chloroquine) as well as by protease inhibitors (e.g., leupeptin).
The mechanism by which internalized antigen moves
from one endocytic compartment to the next has not been
conclusively demonstrated. It has been suggested that early
endosomes from the periphery move inward to become late
endosomes and finally lysosomes. Alternatively, small trans-
port vesicles may carry antigens from one compartment to
the next. Eventually the endocytic compartments, or por-
tions of them, return to the cell periphery, where they fuse
with the plasma membrane. In this way, the surface receptors
are recycled.
The Invariant Chain Guides Transport
of Class II MHC Molecules
to Endocytic Vesicles
Since antigen-presenting cells express both class I and class II
MHC molecules, some mechanism must exist to prevent
class II MHC molecules from binding to the same set of anti-
genic peptides as the class I molecules. When class II MHC
molecule are synthesized within the RER, three pairs of class
II H9251H9252 chains associate with a preassembled trimer of a
FIGURE 8-7 Assembly and stabilization of class I MHC mole-
cules. Newly formed class I H9251 chains associate with calnexin, a
molecular chaperone, in the RER membrane. Subsequent binding
to H9252
2
-microglobulin releases calnexin and allows binding to the
chaperonin calreticulin and to tapasin, which is associated with the
peptide transporter TAP. This association promotes binding of an
antigenic peptide, which stabilizes the class I molecule–peptide
complex, allowing its release from the RER.
+
+ Peptides
Exit RER
Calnexin
Calnexin
Class I MHC
α chain
Class I MHC
molecule
Calreticulin-tapasin–
associated class I
MHC molecule
Calnexin-associated
class I MHC α chain
β
2
microglobulin
++
CalreticulinTapasinCalreticulinTapasin
8536d_ch08_185-199 8/2/02 10:08 AM Page 193 mac79 Mac 79:45_BW:Goldsby et al. / Immunology 5e:
194 PART II Generation of B-Cell and T-Cell Responses
VISUALIZING CONCEPTS
FIGURE 8-8 Separate antigen-presenting pathways are utilized
for endogenous (green) and exogenous (red) antigens. The mode
of antigen entry into cells and the site of antigen processing de-
termine whether antigenic peptides associate with class I MHC
molecules in the rough endoplasmic reticulum or with class II
molecules in endocytic compartments.
Endogenous pathway
(class I MHC)
Exogenous pathway
(class II MHC)
Peptide
TAP
Invariant
chain
Class II
MHC
Class I
MHC
Class I
MHC
Class II
MHC
Rough endoplasmic
reticulum (RER)
Proteasome
Calreticulum
Tapasin
β
2
-microglobulin
Golgi complex
Digested
invariant
chain
Exogenous
antigen
CLIP
Calnexin
Endogenous
antigen
Class II MHC α and β
bind invariant chain,
blocking binding of
endogenous antigen.
1
Endogenous antigen is
degraded by proteasome.
1
Peptide is transported to
RER via TAP.
2
MHC complex is routed
through Golgi to
endocytic pathway
compartments.
2
Class I MHC α chain
binds calnexin, then β
2
microglobulin. Calnexin
dissociates, Calreticulin
and Tapasin bind. MHC
captures peptide,
chaperones dissociate.
3
Invariant chain is
degraded, leaving CLIP
fragment.
3
Exogenous antigen is
taken up, degraded,
routed to endocytic
pathway compartments.
Class I MHC–peptide is
transported from RER to
Golgi complex to plasma
membrane.
4
4
HLA-DM mediates
exchange of CLIP for
antigenic peptide.
5
Class II MHC–peptide is
transported to plasma
membrane.
6
protein called invariant chain (Ii, CD74). This trimeric pro-
tein interacts with the peptide-binding cleft of the class II
molecules, preventing any endogenously derived peptides
from binding to the cleft while the class II molecule is within
the RER (see right side of Figure 8-8). The invariant chain
also appears to be involved in the folding of the class II H9251 and
8536d_ch08_194 8/23/02 11:59 AM Page 194 mac100 mac 100: 1268_tm:8536d:Goldsby et al. / Immunology 5e-:
H9252chains, their exit from the RER, and the subsequent routing
of class II molecules to the endocytic processing pathway
from the trans-Golgi network.
The role of the invariant chain in the routing of class II mol-
ecules has been demonstrated in transfection experiments with
cells that lack the genes encoding class II MHC molecules and
the invariant chain. Immunofluorescent labeling of such cells
transfected only with class II MHC genes revealed class II mol-
ecules localized within the Golgi complex. However, in cells
transfected with both the class II MHC genes and invariant-
chain gene, the class II molecules were localized in the cytoplas-
mic vesicular structures of the endocytic pathway. The
invariant chain contains sorting signals in its cytoplasmic tail
that directs the transport of the class II MHC complex from the
trans-Golgi network to the endocytic compartments.
Peptides Assemble with Class II MHC
Molecules by Displacing CLIP
Recent experiments indicate that most class II MHC–invari-
ant chain complexes are transported from the RER, where
they are formed, through the Golgi complex and trans-Golgi
network, and then through the endocytic pathway, moving
from early endosomes to late endosomes, and finally to lyso-
somes. As the proteolytic activity increases in each successive
compartment, the invariant chain is gradually degraded.
However, a short fragment of the invariant chain termed
CLIP (for class II–associated invariant chain peptide) remains
bound to the class II molecule after the invariant chain has
been cleaved within the endosomal compartment. CLIP
physically occupies the peptide-binding groove of the class II
MHC molecule, presumably preventing any premature bind-
ing of antigenic peptide (see Figure 8-8).
A nonclassical class II MHC molecule called HLA-DM is
required to catalyze the exchange of CLIP with antigenic
peptides (Figure 8-10a). MHC class II genes encoding HLA-
DM have been identified in the mouse and rabbit, indicating
Antigen Processing and Presentation CHAPTER 8 195
Recycling
of receptors
Early endosome
pH 6.0–6.5
Clathrin-
coated
vesicle
Antigen
Late endosome
pH 5.0–6.0
Lysosome
pH 4.5–5.0
Golgi complex
FIGURE 8-9 Generation of antigenic peptides in the endocytic
processing pathway. Internalized exogenous antigen moves through
several acidic compartments, in which it is degraded into peptides
that ultimately associate with class II MHC molecules transported in
vesicles from the Golgi complex. The cell shown here is a B cell,
which internalizes antigen by receptor-mediated endocytosis, with
the membrane-bound antibody functioning as an antigen-specific
receptor.
(a)
+
Released CLIP
CLIP
Digested invariant chain
Peptides
HLA-DM
HLA-DO
Class
II MHC
Invariant
chain
αβ
N
C
β1
α1
(b)
FIGURE 8-10 (a) Assembly of class II MHC molecules. Within the
rough endoplasmic reticulum, a newly synthesized class II MHC
molecule binds an invariant chain. The bound invariant chain pre-
vents premature binding of peptides to the class II molecule and
helps to direct the complex to endocytic compartments containing
peptides derived from exogenous antigens. Digestion of the invariant
chain leaves CLIP, a small fragment remaining in the binding groove
of the class II MHC molecule. HLA-DM, a nonclassical MHC class II
molecule expressed within endosomal compartments, mediates ex-
change of antigenic peptides for CLIP. The nonclassical class II mol-
ecule HLA-DO may act as a negative regulator of class II antigen
processing by binding to HLA-DM and inhibiting its role in the dis-
sociation of CLIP from class II molecules. (b) Comparison of three-
dimensional structures showing the binding groove of HLA class II
molecules (H92511 and H92521) containing different antigenic peptides or
CLIP. The red lines show DR4 complexed with collagen II peptide,
yellow lines are DR1 with influenza hemagglutinin peptide, and blue
lines are DR3 associated with CLIP. (N indicates the amino terminus
and C the carboxyl terminus of the peptides.) No major differences in
the structures of the class II molecules or in the conformation of the
bound peptides are seen. This comparison shows that CLIP binds
the class II molecule in a manner identical to that of antigenic pep-
tides. [Part (b) from Dessen et al., 1997, Immunity 7:473–481; cour-
tesy of Don Wiley, Harvard University.]
8536d_ch08_185-199 8/2/02 10:08 AM Page 195 mac79 Mac 79:45_BW:Goldsby et al. / Immunology 5e:
that HLA-DM is widely conserved among mammalian
species. Like other class II MHC molecules, HLA-DM is a
heterodimer of H9251 and H9252 chains. However, unlike other class II
molecules, HLA-DM is not polymorphic and is not ex-
pressed at the cell membrane but is found predominantly
within the endosomal compartment. The DMH9251 and DMH9252
genes are located near the TAP and LMP genes in the MHC
complex of humans and DM is expressed in cells that express
classical class II molecules.
The reaction between HLA-DM and the class II CLIP
complex facilitating exchange of CLIP for another peptide is
impaired in the presence of HLA-DO, which binds to HLA-
DM and lessens the efficiency of the exchange reaction. HLA-
DO, like HLA-DM, is a nonclassical and nonpolymorphic
class II molecule that is also found in the MHC of other
species. HLA-DO differs from HLA-DM in that it is ex-
pressed only by B cells and the thymus, and unlike other class
II molecules, its expression is not induced by IFN-H9253.An ad-
ditional difference is that the genes encoding the H9251 and the H9252
chains of HLA-DO are not adjacent in the MHC as are all
other class II H9251 and H9252 pairs (see Fig 7-15).
An HLA-DR3 molecule associated with CLIP was isolated
from a cell line that did not express HLA-DM and was there-
fore defective in antigen processing. Superimposing the
structure of HLA-DR3–CLIP on another DR molecule
bound to antigenic peptide reveals that CLIP binds to class II
in the same stable manner as the antigenic peptide (Figure 8-
10b). The discovery of this stable complex in a cell with de-
fective HLA-DM supports the argument that HLA-DM is
required for the replacement of CLIP.
Although it certainly modulates the activity of HLA-DM,
the precise role of HLA-DO remains obscure. One possibility
is that it acts in the selection of peptides bound to class II
MHC molecules in B cells. DO occurs in complex with DM
in these cells and this association continues in the endosomal
compartments. Conditions of higher acidity weaken the as-
sociation of DM/DO and increase the possibility of antigenic
peptide binding despite the presence of DO. Such a pH-de-
pendent interaction could lead to preferential selection of
class II-bound peptides from lysosomal compartments in B
cells as compared with other APCs.
As with class I MHC molecules, peptide binding is required
to maintain the structure and stability of class II MHC mole-
cules. Once a peptide has bound, the peptide–class II complex
is transported to the plasma membrane, where the neutral pH
appears to enable the complex to assume a compact, stable
form. Peptide is bound so strongly in this compact form that it
is difficult to replace a class II–bound peptide on the mem-
brane with another peptide at physiologic conditions.
Presentation of Nonpeptide Antigens
To this point the discussion has been limited to peptide anti-
gens and their presentation by classical class I and II MHC
molecules. It is well known that nonprotein antigens also are
recognized by the immune system, and there are reports dat-
ing back to the 1980s of T cell proliferation in the presence of
nonprotein antigens derived from infectious agents. More re-
cent reports indicate that T cells that express the H9253H9254 TCR (T-
cell receptors are dimers of either H9251H9252 or H9253H9254 chains) that react
with glycolipid antigens derived from bacteria such as My-
cobacterium tuberculosis. These nonprotein antigens are pre-
sented by members of the CD1 family of nonclassical class I
molecules.
The CD1 family of molecules associates with H9252
2
-mi-
croglobulin and has general structural similarity to class I
MHC molecules. There are five genes encoding human CD1
molecules (CD1A-E, encoding the gene products CD1a-d,
with no product yet identified for E). These genes are located
not within the MHC but on chromosome 1 (Figure 8-11a).
The genes are classified into two groups based on sequence
homology. Group 1 includes CD1A, B, C, and E; CD1D is in
group 2. All mammalian species studied have CD1 genes, al-
though the number varies. Rodents have only group 2 CD1
genes, the counterpart of human CD1D, whereas rabbits, like
humans, have five genes, including both group 1 and 2 types.
Sequence identity of CD1 with classical class I molecules is
considerably lower than the identity of the class I molecules
with each other. Comparison of the three-dimensional struc-
ture of the mouse CD1d1 with the class I MHC molecule H-
2k
b
shows that the antigen-binding groove of the CD1d1
molecules is deeper and more voluminous than that of the
classical class I molecule (Fig 8-11b).
Expression of CD1 molecules varies according to subset;
CD1D1 genes are expressed mainly in nonprofessional APCs
and on certain B-cell subsets. The mouse CD1d1 is more
widely distributed and found on T cells, B cells, dendritic
cells, hepatocytes, and some epithelial cells. The CD1A, B,
and C genes are expressed on immature thymocytes and pro-
fessional APCs, mainly those of the dendritic type. CD1C
gene expression is seen on B cells, whereas the CD1A and B
products are not. CD1 genes can be induced by exposure to
certain cytokines such as GM-CSF or IL-3. The intracellular
trafficking patterns of the CD1 molecules differ; for example,
CD1a is found mostly in early endosomes or on the cell sur-
face; CD1b and CD1d localize to late endosomes; and CD1c
is found throughout the endocytic system.
Certain CD1 molecules are recognized by T cells in the ab-
sence of foreign antigens, and self restriction can be demon-
strated in these reactions. Examination of antigens presented
by CD1 molecules revealed them to be lipid components
(mycolic acid) of the M. tuberculosis cell wall. Further studies
of CD1 presentation indicated that a glycolipid (lipoarabino-
mannan) from Mycobacterium leprae could also be presented
by these molecules. The data concerning CD1 antigen pre-
sentation point out the existence of a third pathway for the
processing of antigens, a pathway with distinct intracellular
steps that do not involve the molecules found to facilitate
class I antigen processing. For example, CD1 molecules are
able to process antigen in TAP-deficient cells. Recent data
indicate that the CD1a and 1b molecules traffic differently,
196 PART II Generation of B-Cell and T-Cell Responses
8536d_ch08_185-199 8/2/02 10:08 AM Page 196 mac79 Mac 79:45_BW:Goldsby et al. / Immunology 5e:
with CD1a at the surface or in the recycling endocytic
compartments and CD1b and CD1d in the lysomal compart-
ments. Exactly how the CD1 pathway complements or inter-
sects the better understood class I and class II pathways remains
an open question. The T-cell types reactive to CD1 were first
thought to be limited to T cells expressing the H9253H9254TCR and lack-
ing both CD4 and CD8, or T cells with a single TCR H9251 chain,
but recent reports indicate that a wider range of T-cell types will
recognize CD1-presenting cells. Recent evidence indicates that
natural killer T cells recognize CD1d molecules presenting au-
tologous antigen. This may represent a mechanism for elimi-
nating cells that are altered by stress, senescence, or neoplasia.
SUMMARY
a73
T-cells recognize antigen displayed within the cleft of a
self-MHC molecule on the membrane of a cell.
a73
In general, CD4
H11001
T
H
cells recognize antigen with class II
MHC molecules on antigen-processing cells.
a73
CD8
H11001
T
C
cells recognize antigen with class I MHC mole-
cules on target cells.
a73
Complexes between antigenic peptides and MHC mole-
cules are formed by degradation of a protein antigen in
one of two different antigen-processing pathways.
a73
Endogenous antigens are degraded into peptides within
the cytosol by proteasomes and assemble with class I mol-
ecules in the RER.
a73
Exogenous antigens are internalized and degraded within
the acidic endocytic compartments and subsequently pair
with class II molecules.
a73
Peptide binding to class II molecules involves replacing
a fragment of invariant chain in the binding cleft by
a process catalyzed by nonclassic MHC molecule
HLA-DM.
a73
Presentation of nonpeptide (lipid and glycolipid) anti-
gens derived from bacteria involves the class I–like CD1
molecules.
Antigen Processing and Presentation CHAPTER 8 197
FIGURE 8-11 The CD1 family of genes and structure of a CD1d
molecule. (a) The genes encoding the CD1 family of molecules in
human (top) and mouse (bottom). The genes are separated into
two groups based on sequence identity; CD1A, B, C, and E are
group 1, CD1D genes are group 2. The products of the pink genes
have been identified; products of grey genes have not yet been
detected. (b) Comparison of the crystal structures of mouse non-
classical CD1 and classical class I molecule H-2k
b
. Note the differ-
ences in the antigen binding grooves. [Part (b) reprinted from
Trends in Immunology (formerly Immunology Today), Vol. 19, S. A.
Porcelli and R. L. Modlin, The CD1 family of lipid antigen presenting
molecules, pp. 362–368, 1998, with permission from Elsevier Science.]
HUMAN CHROMOSOME 1
20 Kb
Gene name: CD1D CD1ECD1BCD1CCD1A
MOUSE CHROMOSOME 3
20 Kb
Gene name: CD1D1 CD1D2
(a)
Go to www.whfreeman.com/immunology Self-Test
Review and quiz of key terms
8536d_ch08_185-199 8/22/02 12:12 PM Page 197 mac100 mac 100: 1268_tm:8536d:Goldsby et al. / Immunology 5e-:
References
Alfonso, C., and L. Karlsson. 2000. Nonclassical class II mole-
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Brodsky, F. M., et al. 1999. Human pathogen subversion of anti-
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Busch, R., et al. 2000. Accessory molecules for MHC class II pep-
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Doherty, P. C., and R. M. Zinkernagel. 1975. H-2 compatibility is
required for T-cell mediated lysis of target cells infected with
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Gadola, S. D., et al. 2000. TAP deficiency syndrome. Clin. Exp.
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Ghosh P., M. Amaya, E. Mellins, and D. C. Wiley. 1995. The
structure of an intermediate in class II MHC maturation: CLIP
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Jayawardena-Wolf, J., and A. Bendelac. 2001. CD1 and lipid anti-
gens: intracellular pathways for antigen presentation. Curr.
Opinions in Immunol. 13:109.
Matsuda J. L., and M. Kroneberg. 2001. Presentation of self and
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Ortmann, B., et al. 1997. A critical role for tapasin in the assem-
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Study Questions
CLINICAL FOCUS QUESTION Patients with TAP deficiency have
partial immunodeficiency as well as autoimmune manifesta-
tions. How do the profiles for patients’ immune cells explain the
partial immunodeficiency? Why is it difficult to design a gene
therapy treatment for this disease, despite the fact that a single
gene defect is implicated?
1. Explain the difference between the terms antigen-presenting
cell and target cell, as they are commonly used in immunology.
2. Define the following terms:
a. Self-MHC restriction
b. Antigen processing
c. Endogenous antigen
d. Exogenous antigen
3. L. A. Morrison and T. J. Braciale conducted an experiment to
determine whether antigens presented by class I or II MHC
molecules are processed in different pathways. Their results
are summarized in Table 8-2.
a. Explain why the class I–restricted T
C
cells did not re-
spond to target cells infected with UV-inactivated in-
fluenza virus.
b. Explain why chloroquine inhibited the response of the
class II–restricted T
C
cells to live virus.
c. Explain why emetine inhibited the response of class I–
restricted but not class II–restricted T
C
cells to live
virus.
4. For each of the following cell components or processes, indi-
cate whether it is involved in the processing and presentation
of exogenous antigens (EX), endogenous antigens (EN), or
both (B). Briefly explain the function of each item.
a. ______Class I MHC molecules
b. ______Class II MHC molecules
c. ______Invariant (Ii) chains
d. ______Lysosomal hydrolases
e. ______TAP1 and TAP2 proteins
f. ______Transport of vesicles from the RER to the Golgi
complex
g. ______Proteasomes
h. ______Phagocytosis or endocytosis
i. ______Calnexin
j. ______CLIP
k. ______Tapasin
5. Antigen-presenting cells have been shown to present
lysozyme peptide 46–61 together with the class II IA
k
mole-
cule. When CD4
H11001
T
H
cells are incubated with APCs and native
lysozyme or the synthetic lysozyme peptide 46–61, T
H
-cell
activation occurs.
a. If chloroquine is added to the incubation mixture, presen-
tation of the native protein is inhibited, but the peptide
continues to induce T
H
-cell activation. Explain why this
occurs.
b. If chloroquine addition is delayed for 3 h, presentation of
the native protein is not inhibited. Explain why this occurs.
6. Cells that can present antigen to T
H
cells have been classified
into two groups—professional and nonprofessional APCs.
a. Name the three types of professional APCs. For each type
indicate whether it expresses class II MHC molecules and a
co-stimulatory signal constitutively or must be activated
before doing so.
b. Give three examples of nonprofessional APCs. When are
these cells most likely to function in antigen presentation?
7. Predict whether T
H
-cell proliferation or CTL-mediated cytol-
ysis of target cells will occur with the following mixtures of
cells. The CD4
H11001
T
H
cells are from lysozyme-primed mice, and
the CD8
H11001
CTLs are from influenza-infected mice. Use R to
indicate a response and NR to indicate no response.
a. ______H-2
k
T
H
cells H11001 lysozyme-pulsed H-2
k
macrophages
b. ______H-2
k
T
H
cells H11001 lysozyme-pulsed H-2
b/k
macrophages
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c. ______H-2
k
T
H
cells H11001 lysozyme-primed H-2
d
macrophages
d. ______H-2
k
CTLs H11001 influenza-infected H-2
k
macrophages
e. ______H-2
k
CTLs H11001 influenza-infected H-2
d
macrophages
f. ______H-2
d
CTLs H11001 influenza-infected H-2
d/k
macrophages
8. HLA-DM and HLA-DO are termed nonclassical MHC class II
molecules. How do they differ from the classical MHC class
II? How do they differ from each other?
9. Molecules of the CD1 family were recently shown to present
nonpeptide antigens.
a. What is a major source of nonpeptide antigens?
b. Why are CD1 molecules not classified as members of
the MHC family even though they associate with H9252
2
-
microglobulin?
c. What evidence suggests that the CD1 pathway is different
from that utilized by classical class I MHC molecules?
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