Cognate Peptide–MHC Complexes Are Expressed as Tightly Apposed Nanoclusters in Virus-Infected Cells To Allow TCR Crosslinking

• DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1301224
• Publication Date: 2013-12-05T03:03:00Z
• Authors: María Ferez; Mario Castro; Balbino Alarcon; Hisse M van Santen
• Keywords: MHC restriction

Antigenic T cell stimulation requires interaction between the TCR of and cognate peptide-MHC molecules presented by APC. Although studies with TCR-specific Abs soluble ligands have shown that needs to be crosslinked two or more induce stimulation, it is not understood how several MHC loaded antigenic peptide can produce crosslinking under physiological conditions. We show at molecular level large clusters are formed surface murine professional nonprofessional APCs upon virus infection these impinge on stimulatory capacity These tight apposition complexes in a configuration compatible simultaneous engagement TCRs. This suggests expression Ag allows formation multivalent for permit activation.