T cell antigen receptor recognition of antigen-presenting molecules

Annu Rev Immunol. 2015:33:169-200. doi: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-032414-112334. Epub 2014 Dec 10.

Abstract

The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) locus encodes classical MHC class I and MHC class II molecules and nonclassical MHC-I molecules. The architecture of these molecules is ideally suited to capture and present an array of peptide antigens (Ags). In addition, the CD1 family members and MR1 are MHC class I-like molecules that bind lipid-based Ags and vitamin B precursors, respectively. These Ag-bound molecules are subsequently recognized by T cell antigen receptors (TCRs) expressed on the surface of T lymphocytes. Structural and associated functional studies have been highly informative in providing insight into these interactions, which are crucial to immunity, and how they can lead to aberrant T cell reactivity. Investigators have determined over thirty unique TCR-peptide-MHC-I complex structures and twenty unique TCR-peptide-MHC-II complex structures. These investigations have shown a broad consensus in docking geometry and provided insight into MHC restriction. Structural studies on TCR-mediated recognition of lipid and metabolite Ags have been mostly confined to TCRs from innate-like natural killer T cells and mucosal-associated invariant T cells, respectively. These studies revealed clear differences between TCR-lipid-CD1, TCR-metabolite-MR1, and TCR-peptide-MHC recognition. Accordingly, TCRs show remarkable structural and biological versatility in engaging different classes of Ag that are presented by polymorphic and monomorphic Ag-presenting molecules of the immune system.

Keywords: CD1; MR1; T cell antigen receptor; major histocompatibility complex.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen Presentation*
  • Antigens / chemistry
  • Antigens / immunology*
  • Antigens / metabolism*
  • Cross Reactions / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / chemistry
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / metabolism
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / chemistry
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology
  • Humans
  • Lipids / immunology
  • Protein Binding / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / chemistry
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Lipids
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell