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Antigen presentation by non-canonical class I MHC molecules

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Air date: Wednesday, January 30, 2019, 4:15:00 PM
Time displayed is Eastern Time, Washington DC Local
Views: Total views: 532
Category: Immunology
Runtime: 00:58:58
Description: Immunology Interest Group Seminar

Classical Class I MHC molecules are best known for their ability to present small, restricted in length peptides to CD8+ aß T cells. But the MHC class I family comprises dozens of molecules, all that have variations on their structures that endow them with the ability to present ligands that are chemically and structurally diverse, or to present no ligands at all. Our lab studies this diversity in antigen presentation and this talk will focus on our findings on the MHC-like protein MR1 and nonclassical class I protein HLA-F. MR1 has evolved to present small molecule metabolites and we are exploring the diversity of the ligand population and how it regulates the relevant T cell population specific to it. HLA-F, on the other hand, does present peptides, but in an unconventional way. In addition, HLA-F’s ability to present (or not to present) peptide we hypothesize regulates its ability to engage with different subsets of receptors, with consequences for immune recognition in the context of disease, but also with potential ramifications for human reproduction.

Erin Adams is the Joseph Regenstein Professor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Chicago. Her research focuses on understanding at the molecular level how the immune system detects and eliminates diseased cells while maintaining healthy tissue. In 2014, she co-launched the NIH funded Biological Sciences Division “myCHOICE” program. This program is focused on exposing and preparing graduate student and postdoctoral trainees for diverse career paths both in and outside of academia after completing their training at the University of Chicago.
Author: Erin J. Adams, Ph.D., University of Chicago
 
CIT Live ID: 29191
Permanent link: https://videocast.nih.gov/watch=29191