The T-cell repertoire is not dictated by self antigens alone.
The influence of genetic and environmental factors on the functional cytotoxic T cell (CTL) allorepertoire was studied by comparing the CTL precursor frequencies against the same HLA alloantigens in 116 sibling pairs. A significantly different precursor frequency was found in 68%, 61% and 59% of siblings sharing 0, 1 and 2 HLA haplotypes, respectively. These data show that, although HLA is important in determining the T-cell repertoire, this is hardly reflected in the allorepertoire. Even 50% of the monozygotic twin pairs showed a significant disparity in their CTL allorepertoire, indicating that environmental factors play a role as well. The non-inherited maternal HLA antigens could be identified as one of the environmental factors shaping the CTL allorepertoire.
Zhang
L
L
Department of Immunohaematology, Leiden University Hospital, The Netherlands.
van Rood
J J
JJ
Claas
F H
FH
D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D012801:Sibling Relations; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic
D001324:Autoantigens; D006680:HLA Antigens; D007519:Isoantigens