The Role of the Major Histocompatibility Gene Complex in Murine Cytotoxic T Cell Responses

Publisher Summary An interpretation of the function of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in cytotoxic T cell responses requires making certain assumptions, which, because of the lack of experimental data, are often based on intuition. This chapter discusses some specific aspects of the role of MHC in cytotoxic T cell responses. It also summarizes the expression of T cell-mediated responses to alloantigens. It also focuses on H-2-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) responses and discusses the influence of the MHC on cytotoxic T cell specificity and CTL responsiveness against foreign antigens. T cell responses to alloantigens mirror all the functional activities seen in H-2-restrict…