title: Extensive conservation of alpha and beta chains of the human T-cell antigen receptor recognizing HLA-A2 and influenza A matrix peptide.
abstract: The major histocompatibility complex class I molecule HLA-A2.1 presents the influenza A virus matrix peptide 57-68 to cytotoxic T lymphocytes in all individuals with this common HLA type and is among the most thoroughly studied immune responses in humans. We have studied the T-cell receptor (TCR) heterogeneity of T cells specific for HLA-A2 and influenza A matrix peptide using the polymerase chain reaction. The usage of V alpha and V beta sequences seen on these T cells is remarkably conserved as are certain junctional sequences associated with alpha and beta chains. Furthermore, two unrelated HLA-A2 individuals have a similar pattern of TCR usage, implying that this is a predominant response in HLA-A2 populations. Analysis in one individual showed that the conserved TCR V alpha and V beta genes are minor members of the peripheral blood TCR repertoire. The sequences provide important information on the TCR necessary for the final structural analysis of this ternary complex.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Moots
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Rowland-Jones
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Bodmer
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: McMichael
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D002460:Cell Line; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D015789:HLA-A2 Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007133:Immunoglobulin Joining Region / Q000235:genetics; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015789:HLA-A2 Antigen; D007133:Immunoglobulin Joining Region; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins