Endogenous viral antigen processing generates peptide-specific MHC class I cell-surface clusters.

ABSTRACT: Sensitivity is essential in CD8+ T-cell killing of virus-infected cells and tumor cells. Although the affinity of the T-cell receptor (TCR) for antigen is relatively low, the avidity of T cell-antigen-presenting cell interactions is greatly enhanced by increasing the valence of the interaction. It is known that TCRs cluster into protein islands after engaging their cognate antigen (peptides bound to MHC molecules). Here, we show that mouse K(b) class I molecules segregate into preformed, long-lasting (hours) clusters on the antigen-presenting cell surface based on their bound viral peptide. Peptide-specific K(b) clustering occurs when source antigens are expressed by vaccinia or vesicular stomatitis virus, either as proteasome-liberated precursors or free intracellular peptides. By contras

SUBMITTER: Lu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3458372 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature