Cell surface expression of class II MHC proteins bound by a single peptide

L. Ignatowicz, G. Winslow, J. Bill, J. Kappler, P. Marrack

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

54 Scopus citations

Abstract

On normal cells, the peptide-binding grooves of class II MHC proteins contain a wide spectrum of peptides. For some purposes, however, it would be helpful to have cells bearing class II proteins engaged by only one peptide species. In an attempt to make such cells we constructed a gene for a MHC class II β-chain, IAβb, covalently linked to a peptide, Eα 52-68, which is known to bind to the peptide-binding groove of IAb. This gene, together with the gene for IAαb, was transfected into B lymphoma cells and fibroblasts. The IAb-Eα complex was expressed on the surfaces of these cells where it could be recognized by a mAb and T cells specific for IAb plus Eα 52-68. Most of the peptide on fibroblasts remained covalently attached to the IAb β-chain, but the covalent linker and/or peptide were degraded to some extent on B lymphoma cells. Nearly all of the IAb expressed by transfected fibroblasts was occupied by the Eα peptide. Of 16 IAb- reactive T cell hybridomas, only 3 could respond to the IAb-Eα complex on fibroblasts, confirming the idea that recognition of MHC may often involve recognition of the peptides bound to the MHC as well.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3852-3862
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume154
Issue number8
StatePublished - Apr 15 1995

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology

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