The Link Between Cellular Stress and Antigen Presentation
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a crucial role in the production and presentation of MHC Class II antigens, which are essential for the immune system to recognize and eliminate foreign invaders. When proteins are misfolded or improperly assembled in the ER, it can trigger a cellular stress response known as ER stress. This stress can impact the generation and presentation of MHC Class II antigens in several ways. Our focus has been on antigen presentation by non-professional antigen presenting cells like epithelial cells. Project Aim: To investigate the complex relationship between protein misfolding, ER stress, and MHC Class II antigen presentation, with a focus on understanding how these factors influence the development of immune responses, particularly those involving CD4+ T cells.