What is it about?
The human leukocyte antigen HLA-B27 is a strong risk factor for Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), an immune-mediated disorder affecting axial skeleton and sacroiliac joints. Additionally, evidence exists sustaining a strong protective role for HLA-B27 in viral infections. These two aspects could stem from common molecular mechanisms. We have analysed the cytotoxic T cell response to an EBV peptide in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis and healthy controls and found that viral peptides that were not predicted to be bound by HLA-B27 molecules could indeed trigger a strong, specific T cell response .
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Why is it important?
To our knowledge this is the first report of a viral peptide: HLA-B27 complex recognized by TCRs in spite of a partially empty groove. This implies a rethinking of the actual B27 immunopeptidome crucial for viral immune-surveillance and autoimmunity.
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This page is a summary of: Unusual Placement of an EBV Epitope into the Groove of the Ankylosing Spondylitis-Associated HLA-B27 Allele Allows CD8+ T Cell Activation, Cells, June 2019, MDPI AG,
DOI: 10.3390/cells8060572.
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