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HLA Molecules and Beyond

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Immunology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2021) | Viewed by 3714

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Viral and Structural Immunology lab, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
Interests: T cell; TCR; HLA; virus; peptide recognition and presentation; structural immunology; T cell activation and signalling; viral mutation and viral escape
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Infection and Immunity Program, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
Interests: comparative immunology; chemistry; structural biology; cell immunology; advanced atomic and molecular imaging; non-peptidic antigens; evolution; MHC-like antigen-presenting molecules

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Viral and Structural Immunology lab, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
Interests: T cell; TCR; HLA; virus; peptide recognition and presentation; structural immunology; T cell activation and signalling; viral mutation and viral escape

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Viral and Structural Immunology lab, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
Interests: T cell; TCR; HLA; virus; peptide recognition and presentation; structural immunology; T cell activation and signalling; viral mutation and viral escape

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the COVID-19 pandemic is crippling the world, the reservoir of pathogens that can be detrimental to human health is of utmost importance. This Special Issue is focusing on understanding the critical role and diversity of antigen-presenting molecules in humans and animals. The classical HLA molecules that present peptides are well-studied in this group, being able to activate the immune system and in turn control and determine the outcome of a given infection.

Since the first description and characterisation of peptide-binding HLA molecules in 1987, we have developed a deeper understanding of the diversity of the peptide repertoire (length, post-translational modification, motif, chemical properties) that the classical HLAs can present, as well as their corresponding immune response. In addition, we also know that antigen-presenting molecules can bind to lipids, small metabolites, or even drugs, and that with the further advances of comparative immunology, there is no doubt that new and uncharacterised ligands will be discovered.

A deep characterisation of those molecules and the type of ligand they are able to bind and present to the immune system is critical to understand the infection and outcome of a disease, to provide new therapeutics and vaccines, as well as understanding the fundamental interplay between the different molecules of the immune system.

Therefore, we are calling for research articles, reviews, and opinion pieces focusing on antigen presenting molecules encompassing HLA and beyond the classical HLA molecules.

Prof. Dr. Stephanie Gras
Dr. Jerome Le Nours
Dr. Dimitra Chatzileontiadou
Dr. Christopher Szeto
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • HLA-A, -B, -C, -E, -F, -G
  • HLA class II
  • MHC
  • CD1
  • MR1
  • human immunology
  • animal immunology
  • antigen presenting molecule
  • comparative immunology
  • peptide antigen
  • lipid antigen
  • metabolite antigen

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

13 pages, 1659 KiB  
Article
Celiac Disease Defined by Over-Sensitivity to Gliadin Activation and Superior Antigen Presentation of Dendritic Cells
by Michael Hudec, Kamila Riegerová, Jan Pala, Viera Kútna, Marie Černá and Valerie Bríd O´Leary
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(18), 9982; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22189982 - 15 Sep 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2650
Abstract
The autoimmune condition, Celiac Disease (CeD), displays broad clinical symptoms due to gluten exposure. Its genetic association with DQ variants in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system has been recognised. Monocyte-derived mature dendritic cells (MoDCs) present gluten peptides through HLA-DQ and co-stimulatory molecules [...] Read more.
The autoimmune condition, Celiac Disease (CeD), displays broad clinical symptoms due to gluten exposure. Its genetic association with DQ variants in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system has been recognised. Monocyte-derived mature dendritic cells (MoDCs) present gluten peptides through HLA-DQ and co-stimulatory molecules to T lymphocytes, eliciting a cytokine-rich microenvironment. Having access to CeD associated families prevalent in the Czech Republic, this study utilised an in vitro model to investigate their differential monocyte profile. The higher monocyte yields isolated from PBMCs of CeD patients versus control individuals also reflected the greater proportion of dendritic cells derived from these sources following lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/ peptic-tryptic-gliadin (PTG) fragment stimulation. Cell surface markers of CeD monocytes and MoDCs were subsequently profiled. This foremost study identified a novel bio-profile characterised by elevated CD64 and reduced CD33 levels, unique to CD14++ monocytes of CeD patients. Normalisation to LPS stimulation revealed the increased sensitivity of CeD-MoDCs to PTG, as shown by CD86 and HLA-DQ flow cytometric readouts. Enhanced CD86 and HLA-DQ expression in CeD-MoDCs were revealed by confocal microscopy. Analysis highlighted their dominance at the CeD-MoDC membrane in comparison to controls, reflective of superior antigen presentation ability. In conclusion, this investigative study deciphered the monocytes and MoDCs of CeD patients with the identification of a novel bio-profile marker of potential diagnostic value for clinical interpretation. Herein, the characterisation of CD86 and HLA-DQ as activators to stimulants, along with robust membrane assembly reflective of efficient antigen presentation, offers CeD targeted therapeutic avenues worth further exploration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue HLA Molecules and Beyond)
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