T cell recognition of weak ligands: roles of signaling, receptor number, and affinity

Immunol Res. 2011 May;50(1):39-48. doi: 10.1007/s12026-011-8204-3.

Abstract

T cell recognition of antigen is a crucial aspect of the adaptive immune response. One of the most common means of pathogen immune evasion is mutation of T cell epitopes. T cell recognition of such ligands can result in a variety of outcomes including activation, apoptosis and anergy. The ability of a given T cell to respond to a specific peptide-MHC ligand is regulated by a number of factors, including the affinity, on- and off-rates and half-life of the TCR-peptide-MHC interaction. Interaction of T cells with low-potency ligands results in unique signaling patterns and requires engagement with a larger number of T cell receptors than agonist ligands. This review will address these aspects of T cell interaction with weak ligands and the ways in which these ligands have been utilized therapeutically.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens / immunology
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • Humans
  • Kinetics
  • Ligands*
  • Peptides / immunology
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Protein Binding / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Ligands
  • Peptides
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell