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An unexpected role for MHC class II

In addition to their classical function in antigen presentation and their lesser known ability to act as signal transducers, major histocompatibility complex class II molecules are now shown to promote Toll-like receptor signaling. This intriguing role requires intracellular association with the kinase Btk and the costimulatory molecule CD40.

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Figure 1: A model for crosstalk between TLRs and MHC class II signaling.

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Correspondence to Walid Mourad.

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Hassan, G., Mourad, W. An unexpected role for MHC class II. Nat Immunol 12, 375–376 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ni.2023

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