Molecular recognition of antigen involves lattice formation between CD4, MHC class II and TCR molecules

Recent evidence indicates that CD4 stably binds to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II only after assuming an oligomeric state: the membrane-distal CD4 D1-D2 module interacts directly with MHC class II, whereas the membrane-proximal CD4 D3-D4 module mediates oligomerization. This results in the formation of aggregates critical for T-cell activation. The T-cell receptor (TCR) regulates specific crosslinking and is itself dependent on lattice formation to trigger physiological T-cell responses. Here, Toshiko Sakihama, Alex Smolyar and Ellis Reinherz discuss the molecular nature of CD4-MHC class II clustering and how, despite each of the component interactions being of low affinity, the molecular matrix renders T-cell recognition extremely specific and sensitive.