The human T cell receptor repertoire utilized in response to HBsAg

The complexity of the T cell receptor beta (TCRB) chain repertoire utilized in the recognition of recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was investigated. T cell lines were derived from two individuals vaccinated with Recombivax-HB and the TCRB repertoire was characterized by spectratype analysis, a molecular technology based on the differential size display of the complementarily determining region 3 (CDR3) of the TCRB chain. In contrast to the Gaussian distribution of CDR3 lengths observed for peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), highly restricted patterns of CDR3 lengths were observed for most TCRB variable gene families in HBsAg-specific T cell lines (TCL). Although similarities in the repertoire of TCL derived from the two donors were noted, each TCL presented an unique profile of CDR3 length diversity. Among the TCR used by the two donors, no CDR3 sequence identity within or between TCRBV families was observed. Additionally, conservation of specific amino acids at homologous positions of the CDR3s was not evident. The T cell repertoire in response to HBsAg is oligoclonal, involves multiple TCRBV families and is individually specific.