Jp. Rosat et al., CD1-restricted microbial lipid antigen-specific recognition found in the CD8(+) alpha beta T cell pool, J IMMUNOL, 162(1), 1999, pp. 366-371
It is generally accepted that TCR alpha beta(+) CD8(+) T cells recognize im
munogenic peptides bound to MHC-encoded class I molecules, This recognition
is a major component of the cellular response mediating immune protection
and recovery from viral infections and from certain intracellular bacterial
infections, Here, we report two human CD8(+) TCR alpha beta(+) T cell line
s specific for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Ags presented in the context of C
D1a or CD1c Ag-presenting molecules. These T cells recognize lipid Ags and
display cytotoxicity as well as strong Th cell type I cytokine responses. B
y extending presentation by the CD1 system to the major TCR alpha beta(+) C
D8(+) T cell pool, this system gains wider applicability beyond the double
negative subset of T cells previously shown to have this reactivity, This i
mplies that previous assumptions about the role of CDS' T cells in microbia
l immunity may require revision as the relative proportions of CD1-restrict
ed and MHC class I-restricted CD8(+) T cells are further defined.