Folia Biologica
Journal of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Charles University 

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Fol. Biol. 2004, 50, 35-42

https://doi.org/10.14712/fb2004050020035

Non-immune Functions of MHC Class I Glycoproteins in Normal and Malignant Cells

D. Fishman, S. Elhyany, Shraga Segal

Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University Cancer Research Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva, Israel

MHC class I glycoproteins play a pivotal role in the regulation of immune responses by presenting antigenic peptides to cytotoxic T lymphocytes and by regulating cytolytic activities of natural killer cells. Cells originating in malignant tumours are often characterized by a profound immune escape phenotype. This phenotype is frequently associated with alterations in MHC class I-related antigen processing and presentation that enable tumours to escape immune surveillance. However, it now becomes clear that MHC class I molecules do not only provide a mechanistic framework for the presentation of antigenic peptides but, rather, possess broader biological functions due to their ability to regulate cell-to-cell communication and receptor-mediated trans-membrane signal transduction. In the present review we made an attempt to reevaluate the significance of an altered MHC class I phenotype for tumour progression in view of the current state of knowledge concerning the aforementioned non-immune functions performed by these membrane glycoproteins.

Funding

Supported, in part, by an Israel Science Foundation grant to Segal S. and Fishman D.

References

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