Serial triggering of many T-cell receptors by a few peptide-MHC complexes
Article Abstract:
A small number of peptide, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, can achieve a high T-cell receptor (TCR) occupancy as a single complex is capable of serially engaging and triggering up to 200 TCRs. The high off rate of TCR can be responsible for this mechanism as it allows a single peptide-MHC complex to engage many TCRs in successive rounds of ligation, triggering and dissociation. TCR occupancy is proportional to the T-cell's biological response. Detection of small number of antigenic complex is possible due to the low affinity of the TCR.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1995
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Licence to kill
Article Abstract:
Immune systems can kill infected cells to help preserve an organism as a whole, and there has to be control of the immune mechanism. T-killer cells in the immune system have to be activated which involves recognizing a type of peptide, and T-helper cells also contribute, though they are not always needed. A licensing model helps to explain why T-helper cells are sometimes but not always needed, and the concept of licensing helps in the understanding of polarized immune responses.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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Inflammatory stimuli induce accumulation of MHC class II complexes on dendritic cells
Article Abstract:
Dendritic cells can present any incoming antigen by maximizing their capacity to load class II molecules of the major histocompatibility complex with antigenic peptides. The formation of peptide-MHC class II complexes is shown to be boosted by inflammatory stimuli, inducing maturation of dendritic cells. This leads to the repaid accumulation of peptide-loaded MHC class II molecules than can stimulate T cells.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
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