Extensive conservation of alpha and beta chains of the human T-cell antigen receptor recognizing HLA-A2 and influenza A matrix peptide.

Journal article

The major histocompatibility complex class I molecule HLA-A2.1 presents the influenza A virus matrix peptide 57-68 to cytotoxic T lymphocytes in all individuals with this common HLA type and is among the most thoroughly studied immune responses in humans. We have studied the T-cell receptor (TCR) heterogeneity of T cells specific for HLA-A2 and influenza A matrix peptide using the polymerase chain reaction. The usage of V alpha and V beta sequences seen on these T cells is remarkably conserved as are certain junctional sequences associated with alpha and beta chains. Furthermore, two unrelated HLA-A2 individuals have a similar pattern of TCR usage, implying that this is a predominant response in HLA-A2 populations. Analysis in one individual showed that the conserved TCR V alpha and V beta genes are minor members of the peripheral blood TCR repertoire. The sequences provide important information on the TCR necessary for the final structural analysis of this ternary complex.

Authors: Moss, P; Moots, R; Rosenberg, WM; Rowland-Jones, S; Bodmer, H

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
• Volume: 88
• Issue: 20
• Pages: 8987-8990
• Publication date: 1991-10-01
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.88.20.8987
• EISSN: 1091-6490
• ISSN: 0027-8424
• Language: English
• Keywords: Influenza A virus; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; HLA-A2 Antigen; Viral Matrix Proteins; T-Lymphocytes; Humans; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Immunoglobulin Variable Region; Oligonucleotides; Immunoglobulin Joining Region; Molecular Sequence Data; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic; Amino Acid Sequence; Cell Line; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; Base Sequence