Structural basis for clonal diversity of the human T-cell response to a dominant influenza virus epitope
Influenza A virus (IAV) causes an acute infection in humans that is normally eliminated by
CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Individuals expressing the MHC class I molecule HLA-A2
produce cytotoxic T lymphocytes bearing T-cell receptors (TCRs) that recognize the
immunodominant IAV epitope GILGFVFTL (GIL). Most GIL-specific TCRs utilize α/β chain
pairs encoded by the TRAV27/TRBV19 gene combination to recognize this relatively
featureless peptide epitope (canonical TCRs). However,∼ 40% of GIL-specific TCRs …
CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Individuals expressing the MHC class I molecule HLA-A2
produce cytotoxic T lymphocytes bearing T-cell receptors (TCRs) that recognize the
immunodominant IAV epitope GILGFVFTL (GIL). Most GIL-specific TCRs utilize α/β chain
pairs encoded by the TRAV27/TRBV19 gene combination to recognize this relatively
featureless peptide epitope (canonical TCRs). However,∼ 40% of GIL-specific TCRs …