Recognition of H-2 domains by cytotoxic T lymphocytes.
The polymorphic major histocompatibility antigens (H-2) have a crucial role in the activation of antigen-specific T lymphocytes. Thus, H-2 antigens are not only recognized by allogenic lymphocytes leading to generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), but it has also been demonstrated that in syngeneic systems most T cells are only able to recognize foreign antigens in conjunction with their own MHC (major histocompatibility complex) antigens. This phenomenon, termed H-2 restriction, may be the key to our understanding to the biological function of MHC antigens. It is not clear whether recognition by T cells of H-2 on a molecular level is confined to particular domains on the H-2 molecule, nor whether the same polymorphic H-2 sites, which are characterized by antibodies, are recognized by allogeneic as well as by H-2 restricted syngeneic CTLs. Previous findings indicate the existence of at least two major polymorphic domains on the H-2Kk molecule as defined by antibodies. Here we show the existence of CTLs with specifity for these polymorphic domains, and the preferential recognition of a particular domain by both alloreactive as well as H-2 restricted CTLs.
D000818:Animals; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D000939:Epitopes; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D051379:Mice; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000939:Epitopes; D006183:H-2 Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell