Science · 1992 · 132 citations · 21 references
Life SciencesImmunologyMicrobiologyImmunogeneticsInnate ImmunityMolecular ImmunologyAntigen PresentationAntigen ProcessingAntimicrobial PeptidesBacterial ImmunologyMajor Histocompatibility ComplexT Cell ActivationClass I Histocompatibility AntigensMajor Histocompatibility Complex (Mhc) PresentationMhc Antigen PresentationMhc Binding AntigensMhc-peptide Binding SpecificityMhc-peptide RecognitionNonclassical Mhc MoleculesT Cell Responses To Bacterial Infection
Although nonclassical (class I-b) gene products represent the majority of murine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, the role of these relatively nonpolymorphic molecules remains uncertain. Recently, one such protein, H-2M3 (formerly designated Hmt), was shown to bind and specifically present N-formylated peptides to cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Because N-formylation is characteristic of prokaryotic proteins, this MHC molecule may be especially adapted for a role in the mammalian defense against bacterial attack. The current studies demonstrate that an MHC molecule, indistinguishable from H-2M3, presents antigens derived from the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes to Listeria-specific CD8+ cells.
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