Surface-anchored monomeric agonist pMHCs alone trigger TCR with high sensitivity
2008
How Surface-Anchored pMHCs Trigger TCR Activation
publication
10 minutes
Evidence: high
Author Information
Author(s): Ma Zhengyu, Sharp Kim A, Janmey Paul A, Finkel Terri H
Primary Institution: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Can monomeric agonist pMHCs trigger TCR signaling independently on a surface?
Conclusion
Surface-anchored monomeric agonist pMHCs can trigger TCR activation with high sensitivity, independent of other molecules.
Supporting Evidence
- T cells can be activated by as few as three agonist pMHCs on a surface.
- TCR triggering requires T cell adhesion and intact actin cytoskeleton.
- Endogenous pMHCs do not enhance TCR triggering by agonist pMHCs.
Takeaway
T cells can recognize very few pieces of a virus on the surface of other cells, but they can't see the same pieces floating around in the liquid.
Methodology
The study used artificial APCs with lipid bilayers to test TCR triggering by monomeric agonist pMHCs.
Limitations
The study primarily used artificial systems, which may not fully replicate in vivo conditions.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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