To evaluate the role of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes in the resistance to Cryptococcus neoformans, we conducted infection experiments in MHC-congenic strains of mice. Significant MHC-dependent susceptibility differences were found among homozygotes and heterozygotes. This study is the first experimental demonstration of MHC-dependent susceptibility to C. neoformans infections in...

To survive organisms must defend themselves against pathogens. Classical Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes play a key role in pathogen defense by encoding molecules involved recognition. MHC gene diversity influences the variety of pathogens individuals can recognize and respond to has consequently been popular genetic marker for disease resistance ecology evolution. However, is pred...

The mouse and other mammals have a large number of histocompatibility (H) gene loci (perhaps several hundred) controlling cell-membrane alloantigens. Only one locus, however, is a strong H locus and is termed the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). A difference between donor and recipient at the MHC will prevent the growth of nearly all tumor allotransplants and result in rapid rejection of...

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II deficiency is a primary immunodeficiency. Lentiviral vectors are used for gene therapy in a mouse model of this disease. In addition, by a direct genetic correction approach, a diagnostic test to determine which of the four MHC II genes is defective in new MHC II-deficiency patients has been optimized.

CIITA (a major histocompatibility complex [MHC] class II transactivator) has been shown to be required for the expression of MHC class II genes in both B cells and interferon gamma-inducible cells. Here we demonstrate that CIITA not only activates MHC class II genes but also genes required for antigen presentation. Mutant HeLa cells, defective in the expression of classic MHC class II genes, in...

Studies of mice lacking MHC class I (MHC I)-associated proteins have demonstrated a role for MHC I in neurodevelopment. A central question arising from these observations is whether neuronal recognition of MHC I has specificity for the MHC I allele product and the peptide presented. Using a well-established embryonic retina explant system, we observed that picomolar levels of a recombinant self...

Peptide binding to MHC class II (MHCII) molecules is stabilized by hydrophobic anchoring and hydrogen bond formation. We view peptide binding as a process in which the peptide folds into the binding groove and to some extent the groove folds around the peptide. Our previous observation of cooperativity when analyzing binding properties of peptides modified at side chains with medium to high sol...

The standard model of Major Histocompatibility Complex class II (MHCII)-restricted antigen processing depicts a straightforward, linear pathway: internalized antigens are converted into peptides that load in a chaperone dependent manner onto nascent MHCII in the late endosome, the complexes subsequently trafficking to the cell surface for recognition by CD4(+) T cells (TCD4+). Several variation...

IgE induction by parasites and allergens is antigen driven and cognate T cell help dependent. We demonstrate that spontaneously produced IgE in T cell-deficient and germ-free wild-type (wt) mice is composed of natural specificities and induced by a mechanism independent of MHC class II (MHC II) cognate help. This does not require secondary lymphoid structures or germinal center formation, altho...