Where is the antigen loaded for MHC-I and MHC-II?

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Multiple Choice

Where is the antigen loaded for MHC-I and MHC-II?

Explanation:
Antigen loading for MHC class I happens in the endoplasmic reticulum. Newly made MHC-I molecules associate with beta2-microglobulin and, after proper folding, bind peptides that are transported into the ER by TAP from cytosolic proteasomal degradation. This peptide loading stabilizes the MHC-I complex, which then travels to the cell surface to present to CD8+ T cells. For MHC class II, loading occurs later in the endosomal/lysosomal pathway, specifically in acidified compartments. In the ER, MHC-II binds the invariant chain, which blocks the peptide-binding groove and directs the complex to endosomes. In these compartments, the invariant chain is degraded to CLIP, and specialized processes (involving HLA-DM) promote exchange of CLIP for antigenic peptides. The loaded MHC-II-peptide complex then moves to the cell surface to present to CD4+ T cells. So the best description is that MHC-I loads peptides in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, while MHC-II loads peptides in acidified endosomes after the invariant chain is removed.

Antigen loading for MHC class I happens in the endoplasmic reticulum. Newly made MHC-I molecules associate with beta2-microglobulin and, after proper folding, bind peptides that are transported into the ER by TAP from cytosolic proteasomal degradation. This peptide loading stabilizes the MHC-I complex, which then travels to the cell surface to present to CD8+ T cells.

For MHC class II, loading occurs later in the endosomal/lysosomal pathway, specifically in acidified compartments. In the ER, MHC-II binds the invariant chain, which blocks the peptide-binding groove and directs the complex to endosomes. In these compartments, the invariant chain is degraded to CLIP, and specialized processes (involving HLA-DM) promote exchange of CLIP for antigenic peptides. The loaded MHC-II-peptide complex then moves to the cell surface to present to CD4+ T cells.

So the best description is that MHC-I loads peptides in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, while MHC-II loads peptides in acidified endosomes after the invariant chain is removed.

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