Limit of T cell tolerance to self proteins by peptide presentation.
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) recognize foreign peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. MHC molecules can also bind endogenous self peptides, to which T cells are tolerant. Normal mice contained CTLs specific for self peptides that were from proteins of ubiquitous or tissue-restricted expression. In vivo, these endogenous self peptides are not naturally presented in sufficient density by somatic cells expressing MHC class I molecules. They can, however, be presented if added exogenously. Thus, our data imply that CTLs are only tolerant of those endogenous self peptide sequences that are presented by MHC class I-positive cells in a physiological manner.
Schild
H
H
Max-Planck-Institut für Biologie, Abteilung Immungenetik, Tübingen, Federal Republic of Germany.
Rötzschke
O
O
Kalbacher
H
H
Rammensee
H G
HG
D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D002460:Cell Line; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology*; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D010446:Peptide Fragments