Quantitative analysis of the contribution of TCR/pepMHC affinity and CD8 to T cell activation

Phillip D. Holler, David M. Kranz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The relative roles of CD8, TCR:pepMHC affinity, and TCR:pepMHC dissociation rate in T cell activation have remained controversial. To determine the relationships among these factors, we used T cells transfected with normal and in vitro engineered αβ TCRs, in the presence or absence of CD8. The TCRs exhibited a wide range of affinities (KD values of 80 μM to 5 nM). T cells with the highest affinity TCRs were efficiently stimulated by peptide, with or without CD8. In contrast, CD8 was required for T cells that expressed TCRs with affinities typical of syngeneic reactions (KD values above ∼3 μM). The results suggest that virtually all normal syngeneic interactions require CD8, which enhances peptide sensitivity by one million-fold or more.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)255-264
Number of pages10
JournalImmunity
Volume18
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

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