Definition of a novel binding site on CD8 cells for a conserved region of the MHC class Ib molecule Qa-1 that regulates IFN-gamma expression
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Updated: Jul 27, 2026

Measuring TCR-pMHC Binding In Situ using a FRET-based Microscopy Assay
Published on: October 30, 2015
1Department of Cancer Immunology and AIDS, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA.
Abstract:
Natural killer (NK) cells and activated CD8 cells both express cytotoxic activity and produce substantial levels of IFN-gamma in response to viral and bacterial infections. In the case of NK cells, cellular activation and IFN-gamma expression are regulated by an interaction between NK receptors and MHC class Ib molecules, including HLA-E/Qa-1. We have used soluble tetrameric complexes of the murine class Ib molecule Qa-1 to define the significance of this interaction for CD8 cells. We find that all CD8 cells express a receptor for Qa-1 and that ligation of this receptor by Qa-1 results in up-regulation of IFN-gamma production.
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