Provide an immunological rationale for absence of MHC class I molecule expression by red blood cells?

Question

Provide an immunological rationale for absence of MHC class I molecule expression by red blood cells?

Answer 1

The most logical answer is that in higher animals the red blood cell is NOT nucleated. The MHC Class I molecule is used to present viral peptides to cytotoxic T cells. Viruses function by utilizing host cell DNA for their replication. NO nucleus no DNA ...no viral entry= no need for MHC Class I expression . Of course the mature RBC has no endoplasmic reticulum either so it cannot synthesize the class I molecules nor have a TAP system for loading them with peptides