8EMF

Crystal structure of a HLA-B*35:01-NP6 epitope from 1977 H1N1 influenza strain

Summary for 8EMF

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb8emf/pdb
• Descriptor: MHC class I antigen, Beta-2-microglobulin, Nucleoprotein NP6 epitope, ... (4 entities in total)
• Functional Keywords: hla b*3501, np418 epitope, t cell immunity, glycoprotein, host-virus interaction, immune response, immune system
• Biological source: Homo sapiens (human); More
• Total number of polymer chains: 3
• Total formula weight: 44857.84

Authors

Littler, D.R.,Rossjohn, J. (deposition date: 2022-09-27, release date: 2024-03-27, Last modification date: 2025-10-08)

Primary citation

Quinones-Parra, S.M.,Gras, S.,Nguyen, T.H.O.,Farenc, C.,Szeto, C.,Rowntree, L.C.,Chaurasia, P.,Sant, S.,Boon, A.C.M.,Jayasinghe, D.,Rimmelzwaan, G.F.,Petersen, J.,Doherty, P.C.,Uldrich, A.P.,Littler, D.R.,Rossjohn, J.,Kedzierska, K.
Molecular determinants of cross-strain influenza A virus recognition by alpha beta T cell receptors.
Sci Immunol, 10:eadn3805-eadn3805, 2025

PubMed Abstract: Cross-reactive αβ T cell receptors (TCRs) recognizing multiple peptide variants can provide effective control of rapidly evolving viruses yet remain understudied. By screening 12 naturally occurring influenza-derived HLA-B*35:01-restricted nucleoprotein (NP) epitopes (B*35:01-NP) that emerged since 1918 within influenza A viruses, including 2024 A/H5N1 viruses, we identified functional broadly cross-reactive T cells universally recognizing NP variants. Binding studies demonstrated that TCR cross-reactivity was concomitant with diminished antigen sensitivity. Primary human B*35:01/NPCD8 T cell lines displayed reduced cross-reactivity in the absence of CD8 coreceptor binding, validating the low avidity of cross-reactive B*35:01-NPCD8 T cell responses. Six TCR-HLA-B*35:01/NP crystal structures showed how cross-reactive TCRs recognized multiple B*35:01/NP epitope variants. Specific TCR interactions were formed with invariant and conserved peptide-HLA features, thus remaining distal from highly varied positions of the NP epitope. Our study defines molecular mechanisms associated with extensive TCR cross-reactivity toward naturally occurring viral variants highly relevant to universal protective immunity against influenza.

PubMed: 39919196
DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adn3805

Experimental method

X-RAY DIFFRACTION (1.80482421415 Å)