AI Article Synopsis
- T cell receptor (TCR) activation of CD4(+) T cells requires multiple engagements with peptide-MHC complexes, whereas CD8(+) T cells can be activated by a single peptide-MHC complex.
- When comparing monomeric and oligomeric peptide-MHC complexes, it was found that monomers can still effectively activate naive and effector CD8(+) T cells.
- The activation occurs via an unexpected mechanism, where peptides from soluble monomers are transferred to the T cell's own MHC molecules, allowing them to act as antigen-presenting cells for other naive T cells.
Article Abstract
T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated activation of CD4(+) T cells is known to require multivalent engagement of the TCR by, for example, oligomeric peptide-MHC complexes. In contrast, for CD8(+) T cells, there is evidence for TCR-mediated activation by univalent engagement of the TCR. We have here compared oligomeric and monomeric L(d) and K(b) peptide-MHC complexes and free peptide as stimulators of CD8(+) T cells expressing the 2C TCR. We found that the monomers are indeed effective in activating naive and effector CD8(+) T cells, but through an unexpected mechanism that involves transfer of peptide from soluble monomers to T cell endogenous MHC (K(b)) molecules. The result is that T cells, acting as antigen-presenting cells, are able to activate other naive T cells.
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| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC129758 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.212515299 | DOI Listing |
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