The cytomegalovirus (CMV) genome encodes four clusters of genes expressed immediately after infection--i.e.: UL36-38, UL122-123, TRS1-IRS1, and US3. The general function of these genes is associated with inhibition of cellular mechanisms of antiviral response. Although several biological processes have been mapped onto specific gene products, the knowledge of the molecular mechanism of their ac...

CD8 engagement is believed to be a critical event in the activation of naive T cells. In this communication, we address the effects of peptide-MHC (pMHC)/TCR affinity on the necessity of CD8 engagement in T cell activation of primary naive cells. Using two peptides with different measured avidities for the same pMHC-TCR complex, we compared biochemical affinity of pMHC/TCR and the cell surface ...

Evidence for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction of soluble helper effects was observed in the generation of syngeneic killer T cells to trinitrophenyl-altered self. Ia-bearing T cells obscure the observation of such interactions, thus, must be removed to detect MHC restriction of nonspecific soluble helper factor supernates (HFS). Genetic mapping studies demonstrated that the st...

Culturing Fischer thyroid fragments promotes their survival in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) -incompatible ACI rats but not in MHC- compatible Lewis animals.

Small peptides, derived from endogenous proteins bind within the antigen binding groove created by the beta-pleated sheets and alpha helices of the alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains of the class I molecule of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). However, the precise role of peptide in class I MHC conformation remains unclear. Here, we have shown that, in at least some instances, changes induce...