Download MendeleyMolecular determinants of cross-strain influenza A virus recognition by alpha beta T cell receptors.
Quinones-Parra, S.M., Gras, S., Nguyen, T.H.O., Farenc, C., Szeto, C., Rowntree, L.C., Chaurasia, P., Sant, S., Boon, A.C.M., Jayasinghe, D., Rimmelzwaan, G.F., Petersen, J., Doherty, P.C., Uldrich, A.P., Littler, D.R., Rossjohn, J., Kedzierska, K.(2025) Sci Immunol 10: eadn3805-eadn3805
- PubMed: 39919196
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciimmunol.adn3805
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
8V4Z, 8V50, 8V51 - PubMed Abstract:
Cross-reactive αβ T cell receptors (TCRs) recognizing multiple peptide variants can provide effective control of rapidly evolving viruses yet remain understudied. By screening 12 naturally occurring influenza-derived HLA-B*35:01-restricted nucleoprotein (NP) 418-426 epitopes (B*35:01-NP 418 ) that emerged since 1918 within influenza A viruses, including 2024 A/H5N1 viruses, we identified functional broadly cross-reactive T cells universally recognizing NP 418 variants. Binding studies demonstrated that TCR cross-reactivity was concomitant with diminished antigen sensitivity. Primary human B*35:01/NP 418 + CD8 + T cell lines displayed reduced cross-reactivity in the absence of CD8 coreceptor binding, validating the low avidity of cross-reactive B*35:01-NP 418 + CD8 + T cell responses. Six TCR-HLA-B*35:01/NP 418 crystal structures showed how cross-reactive TCRs recognized multiple B*35:01/NP 418 epitope variants. Specific TCR interactions were formed with invariant and conserved peptide-HLA features, thus remaining distal from highly varied positions of the NP 418 epitope. Our study defines molecular mechanisms associated with extensive TCR cross-reactivity toward naturally occurring viral variants highly relevant to universal protective immunity against influenza.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Organizational Affiliation:
