Requirements of Exogenous Protein Antigens for Presentation to CD4+ T lymphocytes By MHC Class II-Positive APC

The antigen-specific activation of CD4-positive T helper cells depends on the recognition of a complex of MHC class II molecules and an antigen-derived peptide on the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APC). For most antigens generation of this MHC/peptide complex requires the uptake of the respective antigen by APC, followed by intracellular processing. The latter leads to suitable peptides of the antigen which are able to bind to MHC class ll-molecules. Subsequently the resulting complexes are transported to the cell surface. Evidence supporting this concept came mainly from the finding that agents such as chloroquine1, interfering with the function of endosomes and lysosomes, can block…