Recognition of Stress-Induced MHC Molecules by Intestinal Epithelial γδ T Cells

作者：Veronika Groh, Alexander Steinle, Stefan Bauer, Thomas A. Spies · 发表于：Science · 年份：1998 · DOI：10.1126/science.279.5357.1737 · 被引用次数：1149 · 研究领域：Immune Cell Function and Interaction、T-cell and B-cell Immunology、Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor

T cells with variable region Vdelta1 gammadelta T cell receptors (TCRs) are distributed throughout the human intestinal epithelium and may function as sentinels that respond to self antigens. The expression of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-related molecule, MICA, matches this localization. MICA and the closely related MICB were recognized by intestinal epithelial T cells expressing diverse Vdelta1 gammadelta TCRs. These interactions involved the alpha1alpha2 domains of MICA and MICB but were independent of antigen processing. With intestinal epithelial cell lines, the expression and recognition of MICA and MICB could be stress-induced. Thus, these molecules may broadly regulate protective responses by the Vdelta1 gammadelta T cells in the epithelium of the intestinal tract.