By convention, CD4+ T cells are activated predominantly by Major Histocompatibility Complex class II-bound peptides derived from extracellular (exogenous) antigens. It has been known for decades that alternative sources of antigen, particularly those synthesized within the antigen-presenting cell, can also supply peptides but the impact on TCD4+ responses, sometimes considerable, has only recently become appreciated. This review focuses on the contributions that studies of viral antigen have made to this shift in perspective, concluding with discussions of relevance to rational vaccine design, autoimmunity and cancer immunotherapy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Asha Purnima Veerappan Ganesan, Laurence C Eisenlohr. The elucidation of non-classical MHC class II antigen processing through the study of viral antigens. Current opinion in virology. 2017 Feb;22:71-76
PMID: 28081485
View Full Text