CD1 presents a variety of antigenic structures to T cells, including lipids, glycolipids, small aromatic compounds, and lipopeptide antigens. CD1 proteins are structurally related to MHC class I proteins in terms of the overall structure of the three a domains and association with |32-microglobulin. Group 1 CD1 molecules (CD1a, CD1b, and CD1c) have been shown to exclusively present mycobacterial lipids. Group 2 CD1 molecules (CD1d) are known to present antigen to NKT cells, a T cell lineage that is characterized by a limited T cell repertoire and an antigen experienced phenotype, capable of rapidly secreting large amounts of gamma-lnterferon and IL-4.
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