Human T-Cell Surface Glycoprotein Cd1E, Membrane-Associated (CD1E) Protein

Background

CD1E molecule is a member of the CD1 family of glycoproteins, which are antigen-presenting molecules structurally related to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I proteins. CD1 proteins are unique in their ability to present lipid and glycolipid antigens rather than peptide antigens, which are typically presented by MHC molecules. CD1E plays a specialized role within the CD1 family, particularly in the intracellular processing and presentation of lipid antigens, distinguishing it from other CD1 molecules that are predominantly involved in antigen presentation at the cell surface. CD1E is critical for the proper functioning of lipid antigen presentation, especially in professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells. While other CD1 family members (e.g., CD1A, CD1B, CD1C, and CD1D) directly present lipid antigens to T cells, CD1E’s primary function is to facilitate the processing of complex lipids into smaller components that can be presented by other CD1 molecules. This intracellular processing is essential for generating the lipid antigens that eventually engage T cells, such as natural killer T (NKT) cells or conventional T cells, in the immune response to pathogens like mycobacteria, fungi, and certain viruses.