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Glycopeptides bind MHC molecules and elicit specific T cell responses
C V Harding1, J Kihlberg, M Elofsson
1Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, St. Louis, MO 63110.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|September 1, 1993
Summary
Carbohydrate-specific T cells recognize glycopeptides by binding to MHC molecules. This recognition depends on peptide structure, not direct carbohydrate interaction with T cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Glycobiology
- T cell recognition
Background:
- Carbohydrates are typically T cell independent antigens, failing to bind MHC molecules.
- Glycopeptides, however, may bind MHC via their peptide component for T cell presentation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate T cell recognition of glycopeptides.
- To determine the role of carbohydrate structure and peptide sequence in T cell specificity.
Main Methods:
- Conjugation of galabiose disaccharide to a hen egg-white lysozyme (HEL) peptide (HEL(52-61)).
- Generation of T cell hybridomas after immunization with the glycopeptide (Gal2-52-61).
- Assessing T cell responses to various glycopeptides and nonglycosylated peptides.
Main Results:
- T cell hybridomas recognized glycopeptides, showing specificity influenced by the carbohydrate moiety.
- Recognition was dependent on the glycopeptide's specific structure and peptide sequence.
- T cell reactivity was lost with certain modifications, such as altered peptide length or single sugar residues.
Conclusions:
- T cells recognize a specific peptide conformation within glycopeptide-MHC complexes.
- This recognition mechanism does not involve direct interaction between the carbohydrate and the T cell receptor.
- Peptide residues are crucial for T cell epitope definition in glycopeptide recognition.