Ia-independent binding of peptide antigen to the T cell receptor |
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Authors: | T R Esch D W Thomas |
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Affiliation: | Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor 48109. |
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Abstract: | We have investigated the potential for direct interaction between a peptide Ag, human fibrinopeptide B (hFPB), and the TCR on an hFPB-specific murine T hybridoma. Fluoresceinated hFPB binds specifically to hFPB-responsive T cells, but not to unrelated T hybrids. Among variant subclones of the original hybridoma, ability to bind hFPB correlates with hFPB-specific response and expression of the CD3/TCR complex, indicating that hFPB is binding to the TCR. This TCR-hFPB interaction has an affinity of approximately 6.6 microM, reflecting slow association and rapid dissociation of the Ag from its receptor. These findings confirm the potential for direct Ag-TCR interaction and indicate an Ag recognition mechanism that is not initiated by Ag-MHC interaction. |
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