Processing of glycans on glycoprotein and glycopeptide antigens in antigen- presenting cells

摘要

Until about 12 years ago, almost all experimental work with antigens ca- pable of stimulating T cells had been performed with proteins and peptides, as well as haptenated proteins and peptides. By far most of the work had been per- formed with mice that had been immu- nized and examined for responses in as- says for T cell proliferation. Pure carbohydrates were found to be incapable of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) binding and T cell stimulation (1, 2). However, within the last 10 years it has become evident that both CD4~+ and CD8~+ T cells can recognize glycopeptides carrying mono- and disaccharides in a MHC-restricted manner provided the gly- can group is attached to the peptide at suit- able positions.