Abstract
Human HLA-E can, in addition to self-antigens, also present pathogen-derived sequences, which elicit specific T-cell responses. T-cells recognize their antigen presented by HLA-E highly specifically and have unique functional and phenotypical properties. Pathogen specific HLA-E restricted CD8+ T-cells are an interesting new player in the field of immunology. Future work should address their exact roles and relative contributions in the immune response against infectious diseases.
Highlights
T-cell activation requires specific recognition of antigen presented as small fragments bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules
The recognition of a particular peptide-MHC occurs through a highly specific T-cell receptor (TCR), which is selected in the thymus
CD4+T-cells recognize antigens scavenged extracellularly by the antigen presenting cell (APC) that are presented in MHC class II, whereas CD8+ T-cells recognize endogenous antigens presented by MHC class I (MHC-I) [1, 2]
Summary
T-cell activation requires specific recognition of antigen presented as small fragments (peptides) bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Transplantation of hematopoietic cells as well as solid organs and detailed studies of viral infections provided the initial key information leading to the concept of genetic MHC restriction by autologous MHC molecules. This is currently often referred to as “conventional” or “donorrestricted” immunity [5]. An intriguing group of DURT family cells are the Tcells that are restricted by MHC class Ib molecules. These cells may share several critical properties with conventional T-cells but most importantly recognize antigens typically in the context of nonpolymorphic MHC-I molecules.
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