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Functional and structural issues related to epitope cross-recognition by T cells
1Laboratory of Cell Biology, NCI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Critical Reviews in Immunology
|January 1, 1997
Summary
T cell epitope recognition involves how T cell receptors bind to MHC/peptide complexes. Understanding this binding
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Structural Biology
Background:
- T cell epitope recognition is central to immune responses.
- Recent structural and functional data illuminate MHC/peptide-TCR interactions.
- T cell receptor (TCR) flexibility influences epitope specificity and degeneracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the balance between epitope specificity and degeneracy in TCR recognition.
- To understand the implications of epitope cross-reactivity and mimicry in autoimmunity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of structural and functional data on MHC/peptide-TCR complexes.
- Investigation of TCR ligand engagement flexibility.
Main Results:
- TCRs exhibit flexibility in binding epitopes, leading to both specificity and degeneracy.
- Epitope cross-reactions and mimicry are significant factors in autoimmune responses.
Conclusions:
- The inherent flexibility of TCRs shapes immune responses.
- Epitope mimicry can drive autoreactivity and autoimmune pathology.