Functions of nonclassical MHC and non-MHC-encoded class I molecules

Fascinating recent discoveries have focused attention on the nonclassical class I molecules. They can exert their function at most levels of the immune response, being part of both innate and adaptive immune systems. They not only have specialized antigen-presentation functions but also play importa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current opinion in immunology 1999-02, Vol.11 (1), p.100-108
Main Authors: Braud, Veronique M, Allan, David SJ, McMichael, Andrew J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antigens, CD1 - physiology
Hemochromatosis Protein
Histocompatibility Antigens Class I - physiology
HLA Antigens - physiology
HLA-E Antigens
HLA-G Antigens
Humans
Immunity
Membrane Proteins
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Summary:Fascinating recent discoveries have focused attention on the nonclassical class I molecules. They can exert their function at most levels of the immune response, being part of both innate and adaptive immune systems. They not only have specialized antigen-presentation functions but also play important immunoregulatory roles: HLA-E regulates natural killer cells by interacting with CD94/NKG2 receptors; the MIC (MHC class I chain related) glycoproteins appear crucial to the activation of γδ T cells in the gastrointestinal epithelium; HLA-G may play a role in controlling the immune response to the fetus; and CD1 molecules are important in defense against bacterial infections, as well as in the development and regulation of a subset of NKT cells expressing a highly restricted TCR repertoire; however not all nonclassical class I molecules have an immunological function, as demonstrated by HFE which is implicated in iron metabolism.
ISSN:0952-7915
1879-0372
DOI:10.1016/S0952-7915(99)80018-1