Presentation of non-peptide antigens, in particular drugs, to specific T cells

Clin Exp Allergy. 1998 Sep:28 Suppl 4:7-11.

Abstract

Drugs are non-peptide antigens that can be recognized by specific T cells. It has been thought for many years that small molecular compounds can only be stimulating for T cells after covalent binding to MHC-embedded peptides. As most drug-specific T cell clones can react to glutaraldehyde fixed antigen presenting cells (APC), recognition of drugs by specific T cells does not require prior uptake and processing of haptenated proteins by APC. In fact, activated T cell clones can recognize drugs associated with the MHC-peptide complex in a non-covalent way. Such a binding is reminiscent of superantigen stimulations of T cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antigen Presentation*
  • Antigens / immunology
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations