Estimation of maximal affinities between T-cell receptors and MHC/peptide complexes.

Journal article

Recognition of peptide/MHC complexes by T-cell receptors (TCRs) is a critical step for T-cell activation. We studied T-cell activation as a function of this interaction using a mathematical model. Unlike other models analysing TCR-MHC/peptide interactions, this study takes into account that both TCRs and MHC/peptide complexes are anchored in membranes and not in solution. The proposed model quantitatively predicts several essential features of antigen-specific T-cell activation, including the experimentally determined rate of TCR-downregulation during peptide-specific T-cell stimulation. In addition, the model offers an explanation as to why the affinity of the TCR for MHC/peptide complexes is low in general and it correctly predicts the on-rates of the TCR-MHC/peptide interaction observed in different model systems. Thus, the proposed model predicts key parameters of T-cell activation and offers an explanation for the surprisingly low affinity of the TCR for its antigen.

Authors: Salzmann, M; Bachmann, M

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Molecular immunology
• Volume: 35
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 65-71
• Publication date: 1998-02-01
• DOI: 10.1016/s0161-5890(98)00020-0
• EISSN: 1872-9142
• ISSN: 0161-5890
• Language: English
• Keywords: T-Lymphocytes; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; Mice; Major Histocompatibility Complex; Animals; Peptides; Mice, Transgenic; Models, Theoretical; Lymphocyte Activation; Models, Biological