|
|
Sci. Signal., 13 May 2008 PERSPECTIVESTCR Triggering by the pMHC Complex: Valency, Affinity, and DynamicsLaboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 4 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Abstract: The interaction between the T cell receptor (TCR) and a peptide-loaded major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) is one of the most-studied interactions in immunology, and yet the precise mechanism by which this system operates is still not fully understood. One key issue is whether TCR triggering minimally requires monomeric pMHC complexes or higher-order multimers (two or more pMHCs). Any model of TCR triggering must explain the high sensitivity, specificity, and dynamic range of ligand responsiveness that this receptor system exhibits. Most models of TCR triggering have not fully appreciated the dynamic aspects of TCR triggering. TCR triggering happens very quickly, and the properties of sensitivity and specificity can be explained by a model that accounts for the interaction dynamics of such a receptor system. In this paper, it is proposed that the important parameter in TCR triggering is the immobilization of the TCR-pMHC complex in the plasma membrane. Whether this involves monomeric or multimeric pMHCs may depend on the affinity of the TCR for the pMHC. *Contact information. E-mail, varmarajat{at}mail.nih.gov
Citation: R. Varma, TCR Triggering by the pMHC Complex: Valency, Affinity, and Dynamics. Sci. Signal. 1, pe21 (2008). The editors suggest the following Related Resources on Science sites:In Science Signaling
|
Magazine | News | Signaling | Careers | Multimedia | Collections | Help | Site Map | RSS
Subscribe | Feedback | Privacy / Legal | About Us | Advertise With Us | Contact Us
© 2008 American Association for the Advancement of Science. All Rights Reserved.
AAAS is a partner of HINARI, AGORA, PatientInform, CrossRef, and COUNTER.
You have reached the bottom of the page. Back to top