A class-mismatched TCR bypasses MHC restriction via an unorthodox but fully functional binding geometry

Abstract

MHC restriction depicts CD4+ T cell activation by MHC-II and CD8A+ by MHC-I, but rare T cells with mismatched MHC restriction have been reported. Here the authors use crystallography to describe features of such a mismatched TCR-MHC interaction and implicate an atypical TCR structure and TCR-MHC interface as contributing factors.