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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.
T cell epitope recognition is a pivotal process in the immune response. Structural and functional data obtained in recent years have contributed greatly to an understanding of how epitopes are formed by MHC/peptide complexes and how such epitopes are engaged by T cell receptors. Emerging as well from these studies is an appreciation of the tension that exists between epitope specificity and degeneracy, stemming from the highly flexible nature of ligand engagement by T cell receptors. The issues surrounding epitope cross-reactions are particularly germane to understanding the role played by epitope mimicry in contributing to autoreactive responses and autoimmune pathology.
T cell epitope recognition is a pivotal process in the immune response. Structural and functional data obtained in recent years have contributed greatly to an understanding of how epitopes are formed by MHC/peptide complexes and how such epitopes are engaged by T cell receptors. Emerging as well from these studies is an appreciation of the tension that exists between epitope specificity and degeneracy, stemming from the highly flexible nature of ligand engagement by T cell receptors. The issues surrounding epitope cross-reactions are particularly germane to understanding the role played by epitope mimicry in contributing to autoreactive responses and autoimmune pathology.