T cell receptor beta-chain third complementarity-determining region gene usage is highly restricted among Sm-B autoantigen-specific human T cell clones derived from patients with connective tissue disease
Bl. Talken et al., T cell receptor beta-chain third complementarity-determining region gene usage is highly restricted among Sm-B autoantigen-specific human T cell clones derived from patients with connective tissue disease, ARTH RHEUM, 42(4), 1999, pp. 703-709
Objective. To determine the structure of T cell receptors (TCR) used by Sm-
B-reactive human T cell clones, to map T cell epitopes on the Sm-B autoanti
gen, and to determine the HLA restriction element used in the recognition o
f Sm-B by T cells.
Methods. Sm-B-reactive T cell clones were generated from patients with conn
ective tissue disease by using either a recombinant fusion protein or synth
etic peptides. The TCR structure was defined with the use of polymerase cha
in reaction and DNA sequencing. Synthetic peptides were used to map T cell
epitopes on Sm-B. HLA restriction element usage was defined by using monocl
onal antibody blocking.
Results. Usage of the TCR third complementarity-determining region (CDR3) w
as highly restricted among Sm-B autoantigen-specific human T cell clones. O
nly amino acids 48-96 of the Sm-B2 autoantigen were recognized by T cells,
and this occurred in the context of HLA-DR.
Conclusion. TCR CDR3 gene usage is highly conserved by Sm-B autoantigen-spe
cific T cell clones, and this appears to be related to the recognition of a
limited number of T cell epitopes on the Sm-B autoantigen presented in the
context of HLA-DR.