The nature of major histocompatibility complex recognition by gamma delta T cells

Cell. 1994 Jan 14;76(1):29-37. doi: 10.1016/0092-8674(94)90170-8.

Abstract

Despite intensive efforts, the general rules for gamma delta T cell recognition remain undefined. Here, we take advantage of the detailed knowledge of the molecular structure and biosynthetic pathways of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules to analyze the recognition properties of the gamma delta T cell clones LBK5 (specific for the class II MHC, IEk) and G8 (specific for the nonclassical class I MHC, TL10b). We find that the activation of these clones requires neither class I nor class II antigen-processing and that peptides do not confer specificity. Epitope mapping also shows that the topology of gamma delta T cell receptor interaction with the MHC is distinct from that of alpha beta T cells. These results suggest that the molecular nature of gamma delta T cell recognition is fundamentally different than that of alpha beta T cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
  • Base Sequence
  • CHO Cells
  • Cell Line
  • Clone Cells
  • Cricetinae
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Complementary / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / biosynthesis
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Major Histocompatibility Complex*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Models, Structural
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta
  • histocompatibility antigen T10b