Antigen presentation and the response to parasitic infection

Abstract

Antigen presentation to T-cells is central to the induction and maintenance of the cell-mediated immune response. Many approaches have been used to define a complex accessory cell compartment, which performs the variety of functional roles encompassed by this term. Resulting from this, antigen presentation has become the cornerstone behind many theories of disease susceptibility and is an important consideration for vaccine design. In this article, Paul Kaye reviews aspects of antigen presentation by accessory cells with particular emphasis on how parasites and their antigens interact with this heterogeneous group of cells.