Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, also designated human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules, are cell-surface receptors that bind foreign peptides and present them to T lymphocytes. MHC class I molecules consist of two polypeptide chains, an α or heavy chain and β-2-Microglobulin, a non-covalently associated protein. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes bind antigenic peptides presented by MHC class I molecules. Antigens that bind to MHC class I molecules are typically eight to ten residues in length and are stabilized in a peptide binding groove. MHC class II molecules are encoded by polymorphic MHC genes and consist of a non-covalent complex of an α and β chain. Helper T lymphocytes bind antigenic peptides presented by MHC class II molecules. MHC class II molecules bind 13-18 amino acid antigenic peptides. Accumu-lating in endosomal/lysosomal compartments and on the surface of B cells, HLA-DM and -DO molecules regulate binding of exogenous peptides to class II molecules (HLA-DR) by sustaining a conformation that favors peptide exchange. The differential structural properties of MHC class I and class II molecules account for their respective roles in activating different populations of T lymphocytes.
