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Understanding specificity and sensitivity of T-cell recognition.

Publication ,  Journal Article
George, AJT; Stark, J; Chan, C
Published in: Trends Immunol
December 2005

The response of T cells to antigen shows an amazing degree of both sensitivity and specificity, with a cell responding to 1-10 peptide-MHC complexes and being sensitive to single amino acid substitutions. Kinetic proofreading or feedback pathways achieve specificity at the level of the receptor, whereas serial engagement of receptors by ligand molecules enhances sensitivity. Crosstalk between receptors, integration of signals and/or tuning of responses is important at the level of the cell. Induction of anergic or regulatory cells by suboptimal stimuli prevents cell activation by multiple encounters with weak ligands. Thus, for optimal sensitivity and specificity, it is necessary to have mechanisms that operate at the level of the receptor, the cell and finally, the population of responding cells.

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Published In

Trends Immunol

DOI

ISSN

1471-4906

Publication Date

December 2005

Volume

26

Issue

12

Start / End Page

653 / 659

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • T-Lymphocytes
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Models, Immunological
  • Kinetics
  • Immunology
  • Humans
  • 3204 Immunology
  • 3101 Biochemistry and cell biology
  • 1107 Immunology
 

Citation

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George, A. J. T., Stark, J., & Chan, C. (2005). Understanding specificity and sensitivity of T-cell recognition. Trends Immunol, 26(12), 653–659. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.it.2005.09.011
George, Andrew J. T., Jaroslav Stark, and Cliburn Chan. “Understanding specificity and sensitivity of T-cell recognition.Trends Immunol 26, no. 12 (December 2005): 653–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.it.2005.09.011.
George AJT, Stark J, Chan C. Understanding specificity and sensitivity of T-cell recognition. Trends Immunol. 2005 Dec;26(12):653–9.
George, Andrew J. T., et al. “Understanding specificity and sensitivity of T-cell recognition.Trends Immunol, vol. 26, no. 12, Dec. 2005, pp. 653–59. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.it.2005.09.011.
George AJT, Stark J, Chan C. Understanding specificity and sensitivity of T-cell recognition. Trends Immunol. 2005 Dec;26(12):653–659.
Journal cover image

Published In

Trends Immunol

DOI

ISSN

1471-4906

Publication Date

December 2005

Volume

26

Issue

12

Start / End Page

653 / 659

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • T-Lymphocytes
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Models, Immunological
  • Kinetics
  • Immunology
  • Humans
  • 3204 Immunology
  • 3101 Biochemistry and cell biology
  • 1107 Immunology