Peptide antigens for gamma/delta T cells

WK Born, L Zhang, M Nakayama, N Jin… - Cellular and molecular …, 2011 - Springer
WK Born, L Zhang, M Nakayama, N Jin, JL Chain, Y Huang, MK Aydintug, RL O'Brien
Cellular and molecular life sciences, 2011Springer
Abstract γδ T cells express adaptive antigen receptors encoded by rearranging genes. Their
diversity is highest in the small region of TCR V–J junctions, especially in the δ chain, which
should enable the γδ TCRs to distinguish differences in small epitopes. Indeed, recognition
of small molecules, and of an epitope on a larger protein has been reported. Responses to
small non-peptides known as phospho-antigens are multi-clonal yet limited to a single γδ T
cell subset in humans and non-human primates. Responses to small peptides are multi …
Abstract
γδ T cells express adaptive antigen receptors encoded by rearranging genes. Their diversity is highest in the small region of TCR V–J junctions, especially in the δ chain, which should enable the γδ TCRs to distinguish differences in small epitopes. Indeed, recognition of small molecules, and of an epitope on a larger protein has been reported. Responses to small non-peptides known as phospho-antigens are multi-clonal yet limited to a single γδ T cell subset in humans and non-human primates. Responses to small peptides are multi-clonal or oligo-clonal, include more than one subset of γδ T cells, and occur in rodents and primates. However, less effort has been devoted to investigate the peptide responses. To settle the questions of whether peptides can be ligands for the γδ TCRs, and whether responses to small peptides might occur normally, peptide binding will have to be demonstrated, and natural peptide ligands identified.
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