The Human T-Cell Receptor

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Abstract
ALTHOUGH the molecular mechanisms that underlie antigen recognition in humoral immunity have long been understood, until recently the means by which cytotoxic and immunoregulatory T lymphocytes recognize antigen have been elusive.T lymphocytes, unlike B lymphocytes, predominantly recognize antigen when it is associated with membrane-bound products of the major histocompatibility complex.1 2 3 4 5 This "dual" recognition is important for activation of both cytotoxic effector T cells and immunoregulatory T cells. T cells of the former category lyse specific target cells, including cells infected with virus that display viral antigens,6 7 8 9 10 whereas immunoregulatory T cells act as inducers or helpers for interactions among T . . .