Force and affinity in ligand discrimination by the TCR
David Depoil1, Michael L Dustin1
1The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopedics and Musculosceletal Sciences, The University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, OX3 7FY, United Kingdom; Helene and Martin Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine of the Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, NY 10012, USA.
T cell receptor (TCR) interactions with pMHC involve force, forming a catch bond. This force-dependent mechanism is crucial for T cell activation and may be key in early immune response decisions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biophysics
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- T cell recognition of antigens is a physical process involving cell-cell junctions and force generation.
- The immunological synapse, formed during T cell activation, involves adhesion and costimulatory molecules that influence interaction forces.
Conclusions:
- The TCR-pMHC interaction's catch bond nature is important for T cell activation.
- Considering the TCR-pMHC interaction in isolation is valuable for understanding early immune decision-making processes.
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