Evolutionary and Developmental Aspects of T-cell Recognition

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Abstract
Studies relating to the nature of the antigen-specific T-cell receptor are reviewed in the light of present knowledge of phylogenetic and ontogenetic development. It is suggested that this evidence supports the concept that immunoglobulin (Ig) is the T-cell receptor, and that the following conclusions may be tentatively drawn. 1) T cell membrane Ig differs in its physical and functional properties from that on the B cell membrane. 2) The divergence between the T and B cell surface Ig molecules was apparent at the time of emergence of the ancestors of modern fish. 3) Specific T cell recognition in the form of antigen binding appears early in ontogeny, and is blocked by antisera to Ig.

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