Non-human primate models for disease and human biology: The impact of the Major Histocompatibility Complex

MHC class I and II molecules play an important role in the adaptive immune response. The genes encoding the MHC molecules are highly polymorphic, thus enabling each molecule to bind a unique repertoire of peptides, which are then presented to T cells, and may induce an immune reaction. MHC class I and II alleles of non-human primates (NHP) have been shown to influence the susceptibility or resistance to various diseases: for example, autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Thus, knowledge of the susceptibility and/or resistance markers is of value for studying these diseases in experimental settings. Furthermore, in AIDS research, HLA class I molecules of human elite controllers have been shown to share a similar peptide binding motif, like the rhesus macaque class I molecules that are linked to elite control. This finding suggests that immunodominant epitopes of MHC molecules associated with SIV control may also be significant in human HIV control. Thus, macaques have been proven to be an excellent model for HIV/SIV research.