Activation of the TCR complex by small chemical compounds
2014
Louis-Dit-Sully C, Schamel WW.
EXS. 2014;104:25-39
In this BIOSS review, we summarize the current knowledge on the activation of the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) by small chemical compounds. These compounds and certain metal ions can stimualate T cells, resulting in drug hypersensitivity reactions that are a main problem in pharmacology. Mostly, the drugs generate new antigenic epitopes on peptide-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules that are recognized by the TCR. In the review, we
also discuss how a second signal—next to the TCR—that T cells require to become activated is generated in the drug hypersensitivity reactions.
