AUTHOR=Edwards Lindsay J., Zarnitsyna Veronika I., Hood Jennifer D., Evavold Brian , Zhu Cheng 

TITLE=Insights into T Cell Recognition of Antigen: Significance of Two-Dimensional Kinetic Parameters

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=Volume 3 - 2012

YEAR=2012

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2012.00086

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2012.00086

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=The kinetic parameters governing T cell activation have been intensely studied for over a decade.  However, the details of how the various aspects of receptor:ligand interactions culminate in T cell activation remains shrouded in mystery. Initial measurements were generated using surface plasmon resonance, a three-dimensional (3D) technique in which fluid-phase receptors and ligands are removed from their cellular environment.  This approach demonstrated kinetics of TCR:pMHC interaction with relatively low affinities and slow off-rates for agonist peptides.  Newer generation techniques have analyzed TCR:pMHC interactions in two dimensions (2D), with both proteins anchored in apposing plasma membranes.  These approaches reveal TCR:pMHC interaction kinetics that are of high affinity and exhibit rapid off-rates upon interaction with agonist ligands.  Importantly, 2D binding parameters correlate better with T cell functional responses to a spectrum of ligands than 3D measures.