V beta selective elements: self and non-self.
Over the last four years, a number of potent T cell responses have been shown to be determined by that portion of the T cell receptor encoded in the V beta gene segment. Responses are essentially uninfluenced by junctional sequences in the beta-chain or by the nature of the alpha-chain. These responses also involve the class II MHC molecule expressed on a stimulating antigen presenting cell. The principle stimuli that have been studied are the polymorphic Mls loci in the mouse and a series of toxic proteins secreted by bacteria, now known as superantigens. Here, some aspects of stimulation by what we call V beta selective elements will be analyzed. The nature of stimulation by self V beta selective elements will be discussed and compared to that of non-self V beta selective elements. It will be shown that the similarities are extensive, including a preference for murine I-E molecules and a hierarchy in the effectiveness of murine I-A molecules in presenting V beta selective elements to certain T cell receptors.
Janeway
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CA
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510.
Rath
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S
Yagi
J
J
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000276:immunology; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000235:genetics*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007739:L Cells / Q000276:immunology; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D051379:Mice; D008934:Mitogens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D004768:Enterotoxins; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008934:Mitogens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell