A single clone of T cells may identify 'self' from 'non-self' through different recognition mechanisms.
T cell antigen recognition is a special process. The complicated bindings between T cell receptor (TCR) or co-receptor (CD4 or CD8) and antigen peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) molecules have specific physiological significance. Recent reports show that different recognition models do exist in recognizing pMHCs by a single T cell. These different recognition mechanisms allow a single T cell to identify 'self' from 'non-self' and result in different biological consequence.
Liu
Yan-Ming
YM
Tianjin University of Tradional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300193, China. lym2163@hotmail.com
Luo
Jing
J
Chen
Di
D
D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019281:Dimerization; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D008954:Models, Biological; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D015704:CD4 Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell