Hijacking a chaperone: manipulation of the MHC class II presentation pathway

Abstract

Novel antigen delivery systems are currently being developed by genetic manipulation of the MHC class II trafficking pathway. Specific targeting of endogenously synthesized antigens to the class II loading compartment can result in massively enhanced presentation of peptide epitopes. This emerging technology holds promise for a variety of clinical applications including vaccine development, cancer therapies and control of autoimmune diseases.