Abstract
MHC class I glycoproteins play a pivotal role in the regulation of immune responses by presenting antigenic peptides to cytotoxic T lymphocytes and by regulating cytolytic activities of natural killer cells. Cells originating in malignant tumours are often characterized by a profound immune escape phenotype. This phenotype is frequently associated with alterations in MHC class I-related antigen processing and presentation that enable tumours to escape immune surveillance. However, it now becomes clear that MHC class I molecules do not only provide a mechanistic framework for the presentation of antigenic peptides but, rather, possess broader biological functions due to their ability to regulate cell-to-cell communication and receptor-mediated trans-membrane signal transduction. In the present review we made an attempt to reevaluate the significance of an altered MHC class I phenotype for tumour progression in view of the current state of knowledge concerning the aforementioned non-immune functions performed by these membrane glycoproteins.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 35-42 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Folia Biologica |
Volume | 50 |
Issue number | 2 |
State | Published - 1 Jan 2004 |
Keywords
- MHC
- Signal transduction
- Tumour
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology