title: Specificity of T-cell alloreactivity.
abstract: T-cell alloreactivity is a well-established phenomenon, but its molecular basis has remained enigmatic. Although there are differences between T-cell recognition of conventional and allogeneic antigens, it has become increasingly clear that they share many similarities. Recent insights into the specificity of the T-cell receptor (TCR) for peptide and the seeming intrinsic affinity of the TCR for the surface of the MHC molecule have provided a better understanding of how the TCR and peptide-MHC complexes interact. Here, we highlight the similarities and differences between conventional and allogeneic recognition of TCR-peptide-MHC complexes, and discuss how our view of allorecognitionhas changed, as well as the implications for TCR specificity and T-cell development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
authors.forename: Nathan J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Felix
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D022801:Complementarity Determining Regions; D003460:Crystallization; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D022801:Complementarity Determining Regions; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D007519:Isoantigens; D010455:Peptides; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell