Antigen Processing and Presentation

Antigen Recognition by T Cells

T cells recognize linear peptides not whole proteins. T cells only recognize epitopes when they are complexed to MHC molecules. Therefore protein antigens must be processed and presented by other cells to be recognized by T cells. This process is referred to as antigen processing and presentation. In general CD8+ T cells recognize endogenous antigens and CD4+ T cells recognize exogenous antigens. MHC molecules bind multiple peptides, however each T cell only recognizes one peptide.