Function and regulation of MHC class II molecules in T-lymphocytes: of mice and men

TM Holling, E Schooten, PJ van Den Elsen - Human immunology, 2004 - Elsevier
The main function of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules is to present
processed antigens, which are derived primarily from exogenous sources, to CD4+ T-
lymphocytes. MHC class II molecules thereby are critical for the initiation of the antigen-
specific immune response. Besides antigen presentation, growing evidence is showing that
ligation of MHC class II molecules also activates intracellular signaling pathways, frequently
leading to apoptosis. Constitutive expression of MHC class II molecules is confined to …