Class I MHC molecules as probes of membrane patchiness: from biophysical measurements to modulation of immune responses

Here I summarize decades of work using the biophysics of class I MHC molecules to probe the patchiness and heterogeneity of cell surfaces. This program began as a study of membranes generally. MHC molecules were a convenient probe. However, in recent years, it has become clear that the lateral distribution, clustering, of class I MHC molecules in the membrane affects their recognition by effector CTL. This offers the possibility of enhancing or reducing T-cell recognition of targets by altering the clustering of their membrane proteins.