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Role of the T cell receptor α-chain in superantigen recognition

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Abstract

Superantigens bind to antigen-presenting cells on the outside of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule and to T cells via the external face of the T cell receptor (TCR) Vβ element. As a consequence, superantigens stimulate populations of T cells in a Vβ-specific, non-MHC-restricted manner. However, accumulating evidence has shown an additional contribution of the TCR α-chain and polymorphic residues of the MHC molecule to superantigen recognition by some T cells. These data suggest that the TCR and MHC come into contact during superantigen engagement and indirectly modulate the superantigen reactivity. Thus, additional interactions between non-Vβ elements of the TCR and MHC play a role in the overall stability of the superantigen/MHC/TCR complex, explaining the influence of the TCR α-chain. It is likely that this additional interaction is of greater consequence for weakly reactive T cells. This modulation of superantigen reactivity in individual T cells may have physiological consequences, for example, in the induction of autoimmunity.

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  1. Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale, 38105, Memphis, TN, (USA)

    Marcia A. Blackman & David L. Woodland

  2. Department of Pathology, University of Tennessee, Memphis, Tenn., USA

    Marcia A. Blackman & David L. Woodland

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  1. Marcia A. Blackman
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Blackman, M.A., Woodland, D.L. Role of the T cell receptor α-chain in superantigen recognition. Immunol Res 15, 98–113 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02918500

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