Two types of human TCR differentially regulate reactivity to self and non-self antigens

• Published in: iScience Vol. 25; no. 9; p. 104968
• Main Authors: Trofimov, Assya, Brouillard, Philippe, Larouche, Jean-David, Séguin, Jonathan, Laverdure, Jean-Philippe, Brasey, Ann, Ehx, Gregory, Roy, Denis-Claude, Busque, Lambert, Lachance, Silvy, Lemieux, Sébastien, Perreault, Claude
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 16.09.2022; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology; Biochimie, biophysique & biologie moléculaire; Immune response; Immunity; Immunology; Life sciences; Multidisciplinary; Sciences du vivant; Immunity; Immune response; Immunology
• ISSN: 2589-0042; 2589-0042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104968

Based on analyses of TCR sequences from over 1,000 individuals, we report that the TCR repertoire is composed of two ontogenically and functionally distinct types of TCRs. Their production is regulated by variations in thymic output and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TDT) activity. Neonatal TCRs derived from TDT-negative progenitors persist throughout life, are highly shared among subjects, and are reported as disease-associated. Thus, 10%–30% of most frequent cord blood TCRs are associated with common pathogens and autoantigens. TDT-dependent TCRs present distinct structural features and are less shared among subjects. TDT-dependent TCRs are produced in maximal numbers during infancy when thymic output and TDT activity reach a summit, are more abundant in subjects with AIRE mutations, and seem to play a dominant role in graft-versus-host disease. Factors decreasing thymic output (age, male sex) negatively impact TCR diversity. Males compensate for their lower repertoire diversity via hyperexpansion of selected TCR clonotypes. [Display omitted] •Over 108 TCR CDR3 sequences from ∼103 individuals and 7 cohorts were analyzed•The TCR repertoire is composed of two layers: neonatal and TDT-dependent layer•∼70% of frequent cord blood TCRs are associated with common pathogens•Acute graft-vs-host disease correlates with a high proportion of TDT-dependent TCRs Immune response; Immunity; Immunology