Receptors on T cells escaping superantigen-mediated deletion lack special beta-chain junctional region structural characteristics.
The TCR V beta element is pivotal for superantigen recognition; however, not all T cells bearing a particular V beta element respond to an individual superantigen. Recent evidence has indicated that the TCR V alpha element also contributes to recognition of superantigen/MHC class II complexes. To determine whether the TCR beta-chain junctional regions influence recognition of a superantigen encoded by mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) proviral integrant Mtv-1, we have analyzed these regions in T cells that have survived superantigen-mediated negative selection in B10.BR-Mtv-1 mice. Our data indicate: 1) no TCR J beta skewing, 2) no difference in the length of the third complementarity-determining region (CDR3), and 3) no outstanding structural features that are shared among the junctional regions of the V beta 3+ T cells that escape thymic clonal elimination in superantigen-expressing mice. Several possible models for TCR engagement of viral superantigen/MHC class II complexes are discussed.
Pullen
A M
AM
Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Bogatzki
L Y
LY
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000235:genetics; D001482:Base Composition; D001483:Base Sequence; D017637:Clonal Deletion / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006825:Hybridomas; D008324:Mammary Tumor Virus, Mouse / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000276:immunology; D011533:Proviruses / Q000276:immunology; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D018089:Superantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D018089:Superantigens