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

• 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
• ISSN: 0952-7915; 1879-0372
• DOI: 10.1016/S0952-7915(99)80018-1

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.