On T-cell recognition of nickel as a hapten.
T-cells recognize antigens as peptides associated with self-molecules encoded by genes of the HLA region. In patients with contact allergy to nickel, T-cells that are specific for non-peptide haptens have been described. Previously, we have isolated HLA class II-restricted nickel-specific T-cell clones from patients with nickel sensitivity. In this paper, data on the fine specificity of a nickel-specific HLA-DR4-restricted clone have been reevaluated. Genomic tissue typing employing polymerase chain reaction and sequence-specific primers were used. Nickel was presented to the T-cell clone by all three subtypes of HLA-DR4 included in our panel. Two different DRB4*0404-positive cells presented nickel, whereas only 3 of the 7 DRB1*0401-positive and one of the 3 DRB1*0408-positive cells restimulated the T-cell clone. These findings are compatible with the notion that nickel interacts with endogenous peptides in the antigen-presenting groove of the HLA molecule, thereby changing these peptides' antigenicity rather than their ability to bind to the HLA molecule. Variations of the endogenous peptide in the antigen-presenting groove as well as differences of the HLA molecules give the DR4 specificity of the nickel-specific clone MCE2.
Department of Dermatology, Huddinge Hospital, Sweden.
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Olerup
D017951:Antigen Presentation; D002999:Clone Cells; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000276:immunology*; D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D006241:Haptens; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009532:Nickel / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D015804:HLA-DR4 Antigen; D006241:Haptens; D009532:Nickel