MHC specificity

Held, W., Roland, J., Raulet, D.H. (1995). Allelic exclusion of Ly49-family genes encoding class 1 MHC-specific receptors on NK cells. Nature 376, 355-358. 

Ferstl, R., Pause, B., Schuler, M., Luszyk, D., Eggert, F., Westphal, E. Miiller-Ruchholtz, W. 1990. Immune system signalling to the brain MHC-specific odors in humans. In Psychiatry A world perspective, Vol. 2 (Ed. by C. N. Stefanis, C. R. Soldatos A. D. Rabavilas), pp 751—755. Amsterdam Elsevier. 

This observation had potential implications for evolutionary biology. Before discussing them, a brief overview of the MHC and MHC specification of olfactory signals will be presented. This will set the stage for a consideration of how this system may relate to issues in kin recognition. 

Murthy, V.L., 5tern, L.J. The class II MHC protein HLA-Drl in complex with an endogenous peptide implications for the structural basis of the specificity of peptide binding. Structure 5 1385-1396, 1997. 

The T cell receptor is a clonotypic, T cell specific surface receptor that mostly recognizes peptides bound to MHC molecules on antigen-presenting cells. 

NK cells are a subset of lymphocytes found in blood and lymphoid tissues, especially the spleen. They are about 15 an in diameter, possess a kidney-shaped nucleus and have two or three large granules in the cytoplasm. They are derived from the bone marrow. NK cells have the ability to kill certain tumour lines and normal cells infected by virus. Killing by NK cells is not specific for viral antigenic epitopes, and is not restricted by MHC molecules. They do not possess CD3 but do express CD2, CD 16 and CD56, together with a low-affinity receptor for the Fc portion of IgG. 

CD lb Known to be present on thymocytes and dendritic cells CDlc Isoform c also known as non-classical MHC class I-like surface antigen present on thymocytes CD2 Defines T cells involved in antigen non-specific cell activation CD3 Also known as T cell receptor-associated surface glycoprotein on T cells CD4 Defines MHC class Il-restricted T cell subsets... 

Wedekind C. and Fun S. (1997). Body odour preferences in men and women do they aim for specific MHC combinations or simply heterozygosity Proc Royal Soc bond B 264, 1471-1479. 

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