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Visualizing Antigen Specific CD4+ T Cells using MHC Class II Tetramers
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Herpes simplex virus type 2-specific CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocyte cross-reactivity against prevalent HLA class I
David M Koelle1, Hongbo B Chen, Christopher M McClurkan
1Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA. viralimm@u.washington.edu
Abstract:
Clonally expressed T-cell receptor alphabeta heterodimers are able to bind many different major histocompatibility complex/peptide combinations. This promiscuity is thought to be required for adequate surveillance against microbial and malignancy-associated antigens. After transplantation, T cells may react with nonself structures, contributing to graft-versus-host disease, in the case of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, or graft failure, when the host immune system is preserved. We describe 2 distinct HLA A*0201-restricted, cytotoxic CD8 T-cell responses to the prevalent chronic pathogen, herpes simplex virus type 2, that cross-react with cells bearing specific alleles of the common HLA B44 family. Transfection of human or primate renal epithelial cells with HLA class I complementary DNA confirmed these results. Given the prevalence of this viral infection and the HLA alleles involved, it is possible that this cross-reactivity may be involved in clinically significant events.
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