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| Title | Butyrophilin-like 3 and 8 tetramers clamp Vγ4Vδ1 T cell receptors for antigen-independent activation. |
|---|---|
| Journal, issue, pages | Immunity, Year 2026 |
| Publish date | Aug 3, 2026 |
Authors | De Dong / Huiling Li / Yuwei Zhu / Zebin Lu / Junliang Zhu / Xinyu Tian / Zhiwei Huang / ![]() |
| PubMed Abstract | BTNL3 and BTNL8, butyrophilin-like (BTNL) family receptors, are predominantly expressed on intestinal epithelial cells. The BTNL3-BTNL8 complex selectively activates human Vγ4⁺ T cells, which play ...BTNL3 and BTNL8, butyrophilin-like (BTNL) family receptors, are predominantly expressed on intestinal epithelial cells. The BTNL3-BTNL8 complex selectively activates human Vγ4⁺ T cells, which play critical roles in intestinal immune homeostasis and tissue damage repair. Here, we report the structure of the BTNL3-BTNL8-Vγ4Vδ1 T cell receptor (TCR) complex. The structure reveals that BTNL3-BTNL8 forms an antigen-independent tetramer, in contrast to the phosphoantigen-driven association of BTN2A1-BTN3A1. Two BTNL3-BTNL8 heterodimers clamp a head-to-head TCR homodimer to form a 2:2:2 BTNL3:BTNL8:Vγ4Vδ1 TCR complex, with the Vγ4 HV4 and CDR2 loops jointly engaging BTNL3. Structural alignment indicates that the CD1d binding site on TCR overlaps spatially with one monomer within a TCR dimer, suggesting that TCR dimerization sterically precludes simultaneous engagement of CD1d molecules. Together, our results elucidate the structural mechanism of BTNL3-BTNL8-mediated engagement and activation of Vγ4Vδ1 TCR, offering insights into γδ TCR signaling initiation. |
External links | Immunity / PubMed:42546693 |
| Methods | EM (single particle) |
| Resolution | 3.1 Å |
| Structure data | EMDB-68398, PDB-22kk: |
| Source |
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Keywords | IMMUNE SYSTEM / Cryo-EM / immune |
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homo sapiens (human)
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