MHC-I (IMAGE)

Arizona State University

MHC-I

Caption

Graphic showing the chain of events when a cell is infected with a virus like SARS CoV-2. Within a living cell, proteins derived from pathogens like viruses are cut into fragments in the proteosome. These fragments then migrate through a series of cell structures, including the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus. When these peptide fragments bind with the MHC-I complex, they can be presented to CD+8 T cells at the cell surface. Should CD+8 T cells determine that the peptides belong to an alien entity like a virus, they will kill the cell to help stop the spread of viruses to other cells. This is an essential component of the adaptive immune response.

Credit

Graphic by Shireen Dooling The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University

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