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A novel, alternative pathway of apoptosis triggered through class II major histocompatibility complex molecules

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Abstract

Major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) molecules, in addition to their role of presenting antigen to T lymphocytes, can serve as receptors triggering programmed cell death. MHC-II induced cell death affects activated/tumour transformed cells selectively, and it proceeds without the involvement of caspases, the major proteases of classical apoptosis. Caspase-independent programmed cell death can also be triggered, albeit less effectively, via a series of other cell surface molecules. Here, we discuss the major characteristics, physiological significance, and clinical relevance of caspase-independent apoptotic pathways with particular emphasis on the one induced by MHC-II ligation.

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Abbreviations

AIF :

Apoptosis-inducing factor

mab :

Monoclonal antibody

MHC :

Major histocompatibility complex

PKC :

Protein kinase C

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Acknowledgement

We thank Stéphane Bécart for help with the figures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. GPC Biotech AG, Fraunhoferstrasse 20, 82152, Martinsried, Germany

    Zoltan A. Nagy

  2. INSERM U396, Immunogénétique Humaine, Centre de Recherches Biomédicales des Cordeliers, 75270, Paris cedex 06, France

    Nuala A. Mooney

Authors
  1. Zoltan A. Nagy
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  2. Nuala A. Mooney
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Correspondence to Zoltan A. Nagy.

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Zoltan A. Nagy

received his D.V.M. degree from the University of Budapest, and his Ph.D. in immunology from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary. He is presently Vice President of GPC-Biotech AG, Munich, Germany. His research interests include T cell immunology, autoimmunity, and the biotherapy of cancer.

Nuala A. Mooney

received her Ph.D. in pathology from the University of London, UK. She is currently a Principal Investigator (Directeur de Recherche) in INSERM Unite 396 Immunogénétique Humaine, Paris, France. Her research interests include signal transduction via MHC molecules and microdomain organization of MHC molecules.

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Nagy, Z.A., Mooney, N.A. A novel, alternative pathway of apoptosis triggered through class II major histocompatibility complex molecules. J Mol Med 81, 757–765 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-003-0489-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-003-0489-9

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