Peptide Loading of MHC

Abstract

The proteins of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are central to the ability of an organism to protect itself from foreign invasion, be it viral, bacterial, or parasitic. This “protection,” unfortunately for many, also mediates transplant rejection and, when mistakenly directed, results in autoimmune pathology. The two classes of MHC molecules source peptides in different ways and use different strategies to promote peptide loading. This chapter focuses on how immunogenic peptides are generated and the molecules that mediate peptide loading onto MHC proteins.