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Molecules in medicine mini review: the αβ T cell receptor

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Abstract

As an integral part of the mammalian immune system, a distributed network of tissues, cells, and extracellular factors, T lymphocytes perform and control a multitude of activities that collectively contribute to the effective establishment, maintenance, and restoration of tissue and organismal integrity. Development and function of T cells is controlled by the T cell receptor (TCR), a heterodimeric cell surface protein uniquely expressed on T cells. During T cell development, the TCR undergoes extensive somatic diversification that generates a diverse T cell repertoire capable of recognizing an extraordinary range of protein and nonprotein antigens presented in the context of major histocompatibility complex molecules (MHC). In this review, we provide an introduction to the TCR, describing underlying principles that position this molecule as a central regulator of the adaptive immune system involved in responses ranging from tissue protection and preservation to pathology and autoimmunity.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by NIH grants AG026518 and AI093637, JDRF CDA 2-2007-240 (DH) and American Heart Association grant 13SDG14510023 (ETC.).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, Mucosal Inflammation Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Mail Stop B112, Research Complex 2, 12700 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    Eric T. Clambey, Bennett Davenport & Dirk Homann

  2. Integrated Department of Immunology, University of Colorado Denver and National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA

    Eric T. Clambey, Bennett Davenport, John W. Kappler, Philippa Marrack & Dirk Homann

  3. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA

    John W. Kappler & Philippa Marrack

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  1. Eric T. Clambey
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  2. Bennett Davenport
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  4. Philippa Marrack
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  5. Dirk Homann
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Correspondence to Eric T. Clambey or Dirk Homann.

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Clambey, E.T., Davenport, B., Kappler, J.W. et al. Molecules in medicine mini review: the αβ T cell receptor. J Mol Med 92, 735–741 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-014-1145-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-014-1145-2

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