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Precursor frequency can compensate for lower TCR expression in T cell competition during priming in vivo
Author(s) -
Rechtsteiner Gerd,
Warger Tobias,
Hofmann Matthias,
Rammensee HansGeorg,
Schild Hansjörg,
Radsak Markus P.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
european journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.272
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1521-4141
pISSN - 0014-2980
DOI - 10.1002/eji.200636331
Subject(s) - ctl* , avidity , biology , t cell receptor , priming (agriculture) , cytotoxic t cell , context (archaeology) , t cell , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , dominance (genetics) , antigen , cd8 , in vitro , genetics , immune system , gene , paleontology , botany , germination
Abstract The factors controlling clonal dominance of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses are currently not well understood. To study the functional impact of the strength of the interaction of a T cell with an antigen‐presenting cell in this context, we established a new mouse model comprised of two T cell receptor (TCR)‐transgenic strains expressing the identical TCR in differing amounts, hence providing two CTL clones with different avidities but identical specificity and affinity. Utilizing this new model, we show that upon antigen challenge higher‐avidity CTL expand at the expense of moderate‐avidity CTL in vivo if present in equal numbers. Beyond this, moderate‐avidity T cells can also contribute to a CTL response when present in excess. These results suggest that in addition to a proposed affinity/avidity threshold, the precursor frequency is important in defining clonal dominance. A new model in which TCR density and precursor frequency define the outcome of a CTL response is discussed.