Back to Search
Start Over
The molecular basis underlying T cell specificity towards citrullinated epitopes presented by HLA-DR4
- Source :
- Nature Communications, Vol 15, Iss 1, Pp 1-17 (2024)
- Publication Year :
- 2024
- Publisher :
- Nature Portfolio, 2024.
-
Abstract
- Abstract CD4+ T cells recognising citrullinated self-epitopes presented by HLA-DRB1 bearing the shared susceptibility epitope (SE) are implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the underlying T cell receptor (TCR) determinants of epitope specificity towards distinct citrullinated peptide antigens, including vimentin-64cit59-71 and α-enolase-15cit10-22 remain unclear. Using HLA-DR4-tetramers, we examine the T cell repertoire in HLA-DR4 transgenic mice and observe biased TRAV6 TCR gene usage across these two citrullinated epitopes which matches with TCR bias previously observed towards the fibrinogen β−74cit69-81 epitope. Moreover, shared TRAV26-1 gene usage is evident in four α-enolase-15cit10-22 reactive T cells in three human samples. Crystal structures of mouse TRAV6+ and human TRAV26-1+ TCR-HLA-DR4 complexes presenting vimentin-64cit59-71 and α-enolase-15cit10-22, respectively, show three-way interactions between the TCR, SE, citrulline, and the basis for the biased selection of TRAV genes. Position 2 of the citrullinated epitope is a key determinant underpinning TCR specificity. Accordingly, we provide a molecular basis of TCR specificity towards citrullinated epitopes.
- Subjects :
- Science
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20411723
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Nature Communications
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.55e0bd7eb74b1a926c2737875550c7
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-50511-w