A T cell receptor Vβ segment that imparts reactivity to a class II major histocompatibility complex product

Abstract

We have identified in mice an allele of a new T cell receptor Vβ gene, Vβ17a, whose product is bound by the monoclonal antibody KJ23a. Over 90% of T cell hybridomas prepared from Vβ17a⁺ T cells of SWR mice respond to allogeneic forms of the IE class II MHC protein, indicating that Vβ17a has an appreciable affinity for IE regardless of the other components of the T cell receptor. These results suggest a bias in the germ-line T cell receptor repertoire toward recognition of MHC proteins and indicate that the Vβ portion of the receptor may form the most important contact points with MHC ligands.