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Related Concept Videos

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity01:26

Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity

An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
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Diversity of Antigen Receptors01:28

Diversity of Antigen Receptors

Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
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Antigen Processing Pathways01:31

Antigen Processing Pathways

MHC molecules are key players in the immune response, enabling T cells to recognize and respond to specific antigens. They are present on the surface of all nucleated cells in the body and are instrumental in presenting antigens to T cells and activating them. T cells recognize the MHC-antigen complex and initiate an immune response. MHC class I and MHC class II are two main types of MHC molecules, each associated with a distinct antigen processing pathway.
MHC Class I: Presenting Endogenous...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

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Using X-ray Crystallography, Biophysics, and Functional Assays to Determine the Mechanisms Governing T-cell Receptor Recognition of Cancer Antigens
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T cell receptor specificity for major histocompatibility complex proteins.

Philippa Marrack1, Kira Rubtsova, James Scott-Browne

  • 1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, Colorado 80206, USA. marrackp@njc.org

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|May 6, 2008
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Summary

T cell receptors (TCRs) recognize major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins. Specific amino acids in TCR variable regions consistently interact with MHC, suggesting evolutionary selection for MHC recognition.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Structural Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Alpha beta T cell receptors (alphabetaTCRs) typically bind peptides presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) proteins.
  • While evolutionary selection of TCR variable regions for MHC binding is suggested, the specific interaction rules remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary selection of T cell receptor (TCR) variable regions for binding Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) ligands.
  • To identify consistent interaction patterns between TCRs and MHC molecules.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of solved structures of T cell receptors (TCRs) bound to MHC-peptide complexes.
  • Examination of amino acid interactions within complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) of variable regions.

Main Results:

  • Identified specific amino acids within the CDR1 and CDR2 regions of variable regions that consistently interact with MHC.
  • Observed a conserved pattern of interaction between these TCR amino acids and MHC molecules.

Conclusions:

  • These conserved amino acid interactions suggest evolutionary selection for TCRs predisposed to recognize MHC ligands.
  • The findings provide insights into the molecular basis of TCR-MHC recognition and T cell immunity.