Herpes simplex virus type 2-specific CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocyte cross-reactivity against prevalent HLA class I alleles.

Clonally expressed T-cell receptor alphabeta heterodimers are able to bind many different major histocompatibility complex/peptide combinations. This promiscuity is thought to be required for adequate surveillance against microbial and malignancy-associated antigens. After transplantation, T cells may react with nonself structures, contributing to graft-versus-host disease, in the case of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, or graft failure, when the host immune system is preserved.