Diversity of T Cells Restricted by the MHC Class I-Related Molecule MR1 Facilitates Differential Antigen Recognition

• Identification of TRAV1-2− MR1 restricted T cells
• Characterization of autoreactive and folate-derivative-reactive MAIT cells
• Folate-derivative responsiveness and autoreactivity mediated by CDR3β hypervariability
• Structure determination of a TRAV1-2− TCR-MR1-antigen complex

SummaryA characteristic of mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells is the expression of TRAV1-2+ T cell receptors (TCRs) that are activated by riboflavin metabolite-based antigens (Ag) presented by the MHC-I related molecule, MR1. Whether the MR1-restricted T cell repertoire and associated Ag responsiveness extends beyond these cells remains unclear. Here, we describe MR1 autoreactivity and folate-derivative reactivity in a discrete subset of TRAV1-2+ MAIT cells. This recognition was attributable to CDR3β loop-mediated effects within a consensus TRAV1-2+ TCR-MR1-Ag footprint. Furthermore, we have demonstrated differential folate- and riboflavin-derivative reactivity by a diverse population of “atypical” TRAV1-2− MR1-restricted T cells. We have shown that TRAV1-2− T cells are phenotypically heterogeneous and largely distinct from TRAV1-2+ MAIT cells. A TRAV1-2− TCR docks more centrally on MR1, thereby adopting a markedly different molecular footprint to the TRAV1-2+ TCR. Accordingly, diversity within the MR1-restricted T cell repertoire leads to differing MR1-restricted Ag specificity.