MHC class II antigen processing: biology of invariant chain

Abstract

The invariant chain (Ii) has been shown to play a critical role in the assembly, intracellular transport and function of MHC class II molecules. Recent studies suggest that these distinct activities can in many cases be attributed to distinct isoforms of Ii or to specific regions within it. Thus, regulation of Ii synthesis, post-transcriptional events, and post-translational modification has the potential to dramatically modulate immune responses.