Mechanistic diversity in MHC class I antigen recognition

Throughout its evolution, the human immune system has developed a plethora of strategies to diversify the antigenic peptide sequences that can be targeted by the CD8(+) T cell response against pathogens and aberrations of self. Here we provide a general overview of the mechanisms that lead to the diversity of antigens presented by MHC class I complexes and their recognition by CD8(+) T cells, together with a more detailed analysis of recent progress in two important areas that are highly controversial: the prevalence and immunological relevance of unconventional antigen peptides; and cross-recognition of antigenic peptides by the T cell receptors of CD8(+) T cells.

Automated summary

The human immune system has evolved multiple strategies to diversify the CD8(+) T cell response against pathogens and aberrations of self, by presenting a variety of antigenic peptide sequences through MHC class I complexes. Recent progress in evaluating the prevalence and immunological relevance of unconventional antigen peptides, as well as the cross-recognition of antigenic peptides by CD8(+) T cell T cell receptors, has been a controversial but important area of study.