In vitro digestion with proteases producing MHC class II ligands

Methods Mol Biol. 2013:960:509-515. doi: 10.1007/978-1-62703-218-6_37.

Abstract

Proteases generate peptides that bind to MHC class II molecules to interact with a wide diversity of CD4(+) T cells. They are expressed in dedicated organelles: endosomes and lysosomes of professional antigen presenting cells (pAPCs) such as B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. The identification of endosomal proteases which produce antigenic peptides is important, for example, for better vaccination and to prevent autoimmune diseases. Here, we describe a panel of technics (in vitro digestion assays of protein with recombinant proteases or purified endosomes/lysosomes, T cell stimulation) to monitor the production of MHC class II ligands.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / cytology
  • Cell Fractionation
  • Endosomes / metabolism
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / metabolism*
  • Ligands
  • Lysosomes / metabolism
  • Peptide Hydrolases / metabolism*
  • Proteolysis*
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology

Substances

  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Ligands
  • Peptide Hydrolases