Recognition of the antigen-presenting molecule MR1 by a Vδ3 <sup>+</sup> γδ T cell receptor
Michael T. Rice, Anouk von Borstel, Priyanka Chevour, Wael Awad, Lauren J. Howson, Dene R. Littler, Nicholas A. Gherardin, Jérôme Le Nours, Edward Giles, Richard Berry, Dale I. Godfrey, Martin S. Davey, Jamie Rossjohn, Benjamin S. Gully
Abstract
Significance Alongside αβ T cells and B cells, γδ T cells comprise a major component of the adaptive immune system, although a lack of bona fide ligands has hindered understanding of their function. γδ T cells are key mediators of epithelial immune surveillance and have a purported capacity for employing diverse ligand engagement mechanisms beyond the dogmas of conventional αβ T cell–human leukocyte antigen restriction. Here, we found blood- and gut-resident Vδ1/2 − γδ T cells bound to MR1 tetramers in a metabolite-independent mechanism distinct from mucosal-associated invariant T cells and provide insight into a unique antibody-like MR1 recognition mode. This reshapes our understanding of the ligand recognition principles of γδ T cells and how they differ from αβ T cells.