Defective major histocompatibility complex class II assembly, transport, peptide acquisition, and CD4+ T cell selection in mice lacking invariant chain expression.

Journal article

We used gene targeting techniques to produce mice lacking the invariant chain associated with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules. Cells from these mice show a dramatic reduction in surface class II, resulting from both defective association of class II alpha and beta chains and markedly decreased post-Golgi transport. The few class II alpha/beta heterodimers reaching the cell surface behave as if empty or occupied by an easily displaced peptide, and display a distinct structure. Mutant spleen cells are defective in their ability to present intact protein antigens, but stimulate enhanced responses in the presence of peptides. These mutant mice have greatly reduced numbers of thymic and peripheral CD4+ T cells. Overall, this striking phenotype establishes that the invariant chain plays a critical role in regulating MHC class II expression and function in the intact animal.

Authors: Bikoff, E; Huang, L; Episkopou, V; van Meerwijk, J; Germain, R

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of experimental medicine
• Volume: 177
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 1699-1712
• Publication date: 1993-06-01
• DOI: 10.1084/jem.177.6.1699
• EISSN: 1540-9538
• ISSN: 0022-1007
• Language: English
• Keywords: CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; Animals; Hematopoietic Stem Cells; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Biological Transport; Mice; Mutation; Peptide Fragments; Antigens, Surface; Cells, Cultured; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II