Polymorphisms in MHC class I molecules influence their interactions with components of the antigen processing and presentation pathway

Abstract

MHC class I (MHC‐I) molecules undergo an intricate folding process in order to pick up antigenic peptide to present to the immune system. In recent years, the discovery of a new peptide editor for MHC‐I has added an extra level of complexity in our understanding of how peptide presentation is regulated. On top of this, the incredible diversity in MHC‐I molecules leads to significant variation in the interaction between MHC‐I and components of the antigen processing and presentation pathway. Here, we review our current understanding regarding how polymorphisms in human leukocyte antigen class I molecules influence their interactions with key components of the antigen processing and presentation pathway. A deeper understanding of this may offer new insights regarding how apparently subtle variation in MHC‐I can have a significant impact on susceptibility to disease.