The human T lymphocyte receptor complex for antigen and MHC.

Journal article

Recent studies using cloned antigen specific T lymphocytes and monoclonal antibodies directed at their various surface glycoprotein components have led to identification of the human T cell antigen receptor as a surface complex comprised of a clonotypic 90 KD Ti heterodimer and the in-variant 20 and 25 KD T3 molecules. Approximately 30,000-40,000 Ti and T3 molecules exist on the surface of human T lymphocytes. These glycoproteins are acquired and expressed during late thymic ontogeny, thus providing the structural basis for immunologic competence. The alpha and beta subunits of Ti bear no precursor-product relationship to one another and are encoded by separate germline V, D, J and C segments which rearrange during intrathymic differentiation to form an active gene set. Triggering of the T3-Ti receptor complex induces a rapid increase in free cytoplasmic Ca2+ and gives rise to specific antigen-induced proliferation through an autocrine pathway involving endogenous IL-2 production, release, and subsequent binding to IL-2 receptors. The implications of these findings for understanding of human T cell growth and its regulation in disease states are discussed.

Authors: Royer, H; Campen, T; Ramarli, D; Chang, H; Acuto, O

• Journal: Behring Institute Mitteilungen
• Issue: 77
• Pages: 1-21
• Publication date: 1985-08-01
• ISSN: 0301-0457
• Language: English
• Keywords: Interleukin-2; Humans; Antigens, Surface; Amino Acid Sequence; Antibodies, Monoclonal; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic; Genes; Cell Membrane; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; Protein Conformation; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; Lymphocyte Activation; Cell Differentiation; Clone Cells; Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; T-Lymphocytes; Membrane Proteins; Molecular Weight; Macromolecular Substances; Major Histocompatibility Complex