Presentation of bacterial lipid antigens by CD1 molecules.

Human CD1 molecules bind and display or present lipid and glycolipid antigens from mycobacteria for recognition by T cells. Presentation requires uptake of antigen into endosomes, where it binds to CD1. T-cell recognition of CD1-presented nonpeptide antigens is a newly defined immune response that could be important for host defense against a variety of pathogens.