Abstract
T cell responses are generally regarded as specific for protein-derived peptide antigens. This is based on the molecular paradigm dictated by the T cell receptor (TCR) recognition of peptide-major histocompatibility complexs, which provides the molecular bases of the specificity and restriction of the T cell responses. An increasing number of findings in the last 20 years have challenged this paradigm, by showing the existence of T cells specific for lipid antigens presented by CD1 molecules. CD1-restricted T cells have been proven to be frequent components of the immune system and to recognize exogenous lipids, derived from pathogenic bacteria, as well as cell-endogenous self-lipids. This represents a young and exciting area of research in immunology with intriguing biological bases and a potential direct impact on human health.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 393-405 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Tissue Antigens |
Volume | 86 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 1 2015 |
Keywords
- Autoreactivity
- CD1
- Leukemia
- Lipid antigens
- NKT cells
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Immunology and Allergy
- Genetics