Dr Adrian Kelly

MHC antigen presentation.

MHC molecules alert the immune system to the presence of infection by presenting short peptide fragments, derived from proteins associated with pathogens to T cells. In general peptides generated from proteins present in the cytosol are presented by MHC class I molecules and peptides generated from proteins accessing the endocytic pathway are presented by MHC II molecules. Two intracellular antigen processing pathways have evolved to allow efficient presentation of peptides from these different locations. Remarkably, many of the components of both antigen processing pathways are encoded within a single genetic locus on human chromosome 6, the Major Histocompatibility Complex. My research is focused on MHC encoded molecules that play roles in these different antigen presentation pathways. Given their importance in controlling infection these molecules are often targeted by pathogens wishing to evade immune detection.

Collaborators     Professor John Trowsdale, Professor Jim Kaufman