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The structural bases of direct T‐cell allorecognition: implications for T‐cell‐mediated transplant rejection
Author(s) -
Gras Stephanie,
KjerNielsen Lars,
Chen Zhenjun,
Rossjohn Jamie,
McCluskey James
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
immunology and cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0818-9641
DOI - 10.1038/icb.2010.150
Subject(s) - allorecognition , t cell , cell , immunology , biology , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , computational biology , genetics , immune system
αβ T‐cell receptors (TCRs), which can engage a broad array of foreign peptide‐laden major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) landscapes, have an essential role in protective immunity. TCRs are selected by pMHC molecules in the thymus and in the periphery, and so are restricted to recognizing ‘self’‐major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Accordingly, T cells are inherently cross‐reactive, and although the versatility and specificity of this MHC‐restricted response are the hallmarks of adaptive immunity, ‘unwanted’ TCR interactions, such as those observed in T‐cell alloreactivity, often occur. Recent data have shown that direct T‐cell alloreactivity can arise from peptide‐dependent molecular mimicry, as well as distinct pMHC‐binding modes. Here we review recent advances in the field, focusing on structural data pertaining to alloreactivity, and discuss the implications for T‐cell‐mediated transplant rejection.