
doi: 10.5167/uzh-26774
pmid: 19200895
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules can both present cytosolic and nuclear antigens to CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells, respectively. However, MHC class I displays proteasomal, whereas MHC class II molecules display lysosomal, degradation products. One pathway by which intracellular antigens gain access to lysosomal degradation is macroautophagy. Therefore, MHC class II presentation of antigens that are targeted to autophagosomes can be used to investigate regulation events of the macroautophagy pathway. We fuse antigens to Atg8/LC3 for targeting to autophagosomes, because this ubiquitin-like protein is selectively coupled to autophagosome membranes, and the portion that is coupled to the inner autophagosome membrane is degraded with this membrane in lysosomes. The localization of these fusion antigens in MHC class II loading compartments can be visualized by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, and used as a measure of autophagic amphisome generation. In addition, MHC class II presentation of autophagosome-targeted antigens can be monitored by CD4(+) T cell recognition and indicates completion of macroautophagy. Together these immunological assays are well suited to investigate autophagic flux and analyze experimental conditions and physiological perturbations for their influence on macroautophagy.
1303 Biochemistry, Green Fluorescent Proteins, Histocompatibility Antigens Class II, 610 Medicine & health, 10263 Institute of Experimental Immunology, Recombinant Proteins, Cell Line, Cell Line, Tumor, 1312 Molecular Biology, Autophagy, 570 Life sciences; biology, Humans, Microtubule-Associated Proteins
1303 Biochemistry, Green Fluorescent Proteins, Histocompatibility Antigens Class II, 610 Medicine & health, 10263 Institute of Experimental Immunology, Recombinant Proteins, Cell Line, Cell Line, Tumor, 1312 Molecular Biology, Autophagy, 570 Life sciences; biology, Humans, Microtubule-Associated Proteins
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 3 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
