Molecular and functional dissection of the H-2Db-restricted subdominant cytotoxic T-cell response to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

Infection of H-2b mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) generates an H-2Db-restricted cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response whose subdominant component is directed against the GP92-101 (CSANNSHHYI) epitope. The aim of this study was to identify the functional parameters accounting for this subdominance. We found that the two naturally occurring (genetically encoded and posttranslationally modified) forms of LCMV GP92-101 were immunogenic, did not act as T-cell antagonists, and bound efficiently to but were unable to form stable complexes with H-2Db, a crucial factor for immunodominance. Thus, the H-2Db-restricted subdominant CTL response to LCMV resulted not from altered T-cell activation but from impaired major histocompatibility complex presentation properties.