peptide-MHC complexes

Peptide-MHC complexes are crucial components of the immune system. They involve a protein called the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), which presents small fragments of proteins (peptides) from pathogens or damaged cells on cell surfaces. This display helps immune cells, like T cells, recognize whether a cell is healthy or infected. If the T cells detect a foreign or abnormal peptide on the MHC, they can initiate a response to eliminate the threat. Essentially, peptide-MHC complexes serve as the immune system’s reporting system, alerting immune cells to potential dangers inside the body.