T lymphocytes with alpha beta receptors recognize antigen in association with the polymorphic products of the class I and class II loci of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). This presentation of antigen results from the intracellular generation of protein fragments, and the binding and transport to the cell surface of these peptides in stable association with the MHC class I and class II molecules. Each class of MHC molecule appears specialized for capture of peptides present in a particular intracellular compartment. We describe here the structural basis of peptide-MHC molecule interaction, the differences in biochemical behavior that focus the two classes of MHC molecules on peptides of distinct size and location, and the cell biology of MHC molecule transport, peptide generation, and intracellular movement. The importance of conformational changes accompanying peptide binding that affect subunit stability of MHC molecules, and the relationship between these changes and the handling of proteins by intracellular chaperones, are emphasized as key features in the operation of the class I and class II presentation pathways.

T cell responsiveness to an epitope is affected both by its affinity for the presenting MHC molecule and the affinity of the MHC-peptide complex for TCR. One limitation of cancer immunotherapy is that natural tumor antigens elicit relatively weak T cell responses, in part because high-affinity T cells are rendered tolerant to these antigens. We report here that amino acid substitutions in a natural MHC class I-restricted tumor antigen that increase the stability of the MHC-peptide-TCR complex are significantly more potent as tumor vaccines. The improved immunity results from enhanced in vivo expansion of T cells specific for the natural tumor epitope. These results indicate peptides that stabilize the MHC-peptide-TCR complex may provide superior antitumor immunity through enhanced stimulation of specific T cells.

Natural killer (NK) cell function is regulated by NK receptors that interact with MHC class I (MHC-I) molecules on target cells. The murine NK receptor Ly49A inhibits NK cell activity by interacting with H-2D(d) through its C-type-lectin-like NK receptor domain. Here we report the crystal structure of the complex between the Ly49A NK receptor domain and unglycosylated H-2D(d). The Ly49A dimer interacts extensively with two H-2D(d) molecules at distinct sites. At one interface, a single Ly49A subunit contacts one side of the MHC-I peptide-binding platform, presenting an open cavity towards the conserved glycosylation site on the H-2D(d) alpha2 domain. At a second, larger interface, the Ly49A dimer binds in a region overlapping the CD8-binding site. The smaller interface probably represents the interaction between Ly49A on the NK cell and MHC-I on the target cell, whereas the larger one suggests an interaction between Ly49A and MHC-I on the NK cell itself. Both Ly49A binding sites on MHC-I are spatially distinct from that of the T-cell receptor.