The Role of MHCI Quality and Quantity in Determining CD8 T cell Development, Survival and Function

The major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) molecule is essential for the development, homeostatic maintenance and activation of CD8 T cells. While it is clear that MHCI molecules are crucial in these processes, it is not clear how the similarities and differences between MHCI molecules and gene dosage influences the resulting CD8 T cell population. This thesis provides a deeper understanding of how the quality and quantity of MHCI affects 1) alloreactive CD8 T cell selection, 2) homeostatic maintenance of peripheral naive CD8 T cells and 3) CD8 T cell activation during infection.