MHC class II deprivation impairs CD4 T cell motility and responsiveness to antigen-bearing dendritic cells in vivo.

ABSTRACT: The role continuous contact with self-peptide/MHC molecules (self ligands) in the periphery plays in the function of mature T cells remains unclear. Here, we elucidate a role for MHC class II molecules in T cell trafficking and antigen responsiveness in vivo. We find that naïve CD4 T cells deprived of MHC class II molecules demonstrate a progressive and profound defect in motility (measured by real-time two-photon imaging) and that these cells have a decreased ability to interact with limiting numbers of cognate antigen-bearing dendritic cells, but they do not demonstrate a defect in their responsiveness to direct stimulation with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody. Using GST fusion proteins, we show that MHC class II availability promotes basal activation of Rap1 and Rac1 but does not alter the

SUBMITTER: Fischer UB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1855382 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature