Challenging The Tritope Model of T cell Receptor Structure–Function Relationships with Classical Data on ‘Super’ and ‘Allo‐ MHC ’ Antigens

The response of the immune system to allo‐ MHC ‐encoded antigens and Mls ‘superantigens’ has been experimentally analysed in detail, but the data have not been coupled to a theoretical framework. It should therefore be instructive to see how well the newly proposed T ritope M odel of TCR structure–function relationships deals with the signalling interactions between the TCR and the above antigens. We will pay heed to W illiam B ateson's admonition, ‘treasure the exceptions’, by showing how a meaningful theory interrogates the data with the same validity that the data interrogate the theory. The concordances, as well as the contradictions, with the T ritope M odel are a test of its heuristic value.