Major histocompatibility complex MHC antigens

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens and )S2-macroglobulin are amongst the best known proteins whose synthesis is also induced in a variety of cell types in response to various interferons. 

APC, antigen-presenting cell and, class I and II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens o and , peptides from degraded antigen bound to MFIC molecules ... 

At this point, the endosome may fuse with vesicles containing newly synthesized or recycling major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. Some of the partially degraded antigenic fragments may form a complex with the MHC and be transported back to the cell surface. There they are presented to the circulating T-helper (Th)... 

Hydrophilic surfactant proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D), secreted by type II pneumocytes, interact specifically with a wide range of microorganisms and play important roles in the innate, natural defense system of the lung [16]. Both mRNA and protein levels of SP-A and SP-D increase dramatically in response to lung infection, injury and endotoxin challenge [17]. Type II pneumocytes also express class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens and intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), which may facilitate pulmonary immune responses [15]. 

Lampson LA, Kushner PD, Sobel RA (1988) Strong expression of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens in the absence of detectable T-cell infiltration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 47 353. 

Interferon has a direct antiviral effect by inhibiting viral protein synthesis. Class 1 major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen displayed on hepatocytes is enhanced, and it is thought to aid recognition of infected hepatocytes by the immune system. Other potentially beneficial effects include increased natural killer (NK) cell activity (196). 

The human leucocyte antigen (HLA) system is the general name of a group of genes in the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region on human chromosome 6 (mouse chromosome 17) that encodes the cell-surface antigen-presenting proteins. 

An unknown antigen presented by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules causes T cells to become autoreactive (Fig. 26-1). Once activated, T cells penetrate the... 

The T-lymphocyte receptor (TCR) is involved in detection of foreign antigens, presented together with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Subsequendy, it regulates the clonal expansion of T cells. 

Lymphocytes, the effector cells of the acquired immune system, include morphologically indistinguishable T and B cells, the former divided into CD4+ T helper cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. Since the functions of those cell subsets differ so drastically, it became important to develop tools to distinguish them from each other. Efforts to identify cell subsets according to their expression of different surface antigens have been successful, including various Cluster of Determination (CD) markers (Table 23.1). In addition, cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies, and subsequently developed species-specific polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies towards the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) have been used to label cells in circulation and in tissue sections (Table 23.1). 

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