Premium
Advances in Direct T‐Cell Alloreactivity: Function, Avidity, Biophysics and Structure
Author(s) -
Smith C.,
Miles J. J.,
Khanna R.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
american journal of transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.89
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1600-6143
pISSN - 1600-6135
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2011.03863.x
Subject(s) - molecular mimicry , major histocompatibility complex , avidity , effector , immunology , human leukocyte antigen , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , transplantation , t cell , immune system , antigen , medicine , surgery
Although T‐cell‐based adaptive immunity plays a crucial role in protection against infectious pathogens and uncontrolled outgrowth of malignant cells, a large portion of these T cells are also capable of responding to allogeneic HLA molecules, violating the paradigm of self‐major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction. Recent studies have provided insights into the mechanisms by which these T cells recognize allogeneic targets. The role of antiviral T cells in direct alloreactivity through peptide‐dependent molecular mimicry and alternate peptide‐MHC docking modes has emerged as major models for the human alloresponse. Here, we review in depth recent advances in this field and discuss how molecular interactions between T cells and HLA molecules drive the activation of these effector cells and its potential implications for alloreactivity in human transplantation.