Analysis of function of misfolded proteins presented on MHC class II molecules.

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MHC class II molecules play an important role in immune response by presenting peptide antigens to T cells. However, we found that MHC class II molecules transport cellular misfolded proteins to the cell surface without processing to peptides. Therefore, we analyzed functions of misfolded proteins transported to the cell surface by MHC class II molecules in this study. We found that proteins presented on MHC class II molecules efficiently stimulate antigen specific B cells. Although MHC class II molecules have been thought to present peptide antigens to T cells, our findings indicate that MHC class II molecules can present protein antigens to B cells. Furthermore, when we analyzed autoantibodies from autoimmune patients, we found that proteins presented on MHC class II molecules are specifically recognized by autoantibodies. These findings suggested that misfolded proteins aberrantly presented on MHC class II molecules are a target autoimmune diseases.