Monomeric TCRs drive T cell antigen recognition

T cell antigen recognition requires T cell antigen receptors (TCRs) engaging MHC-embedded antigenic peptides (pMHCs) within the contact region of a T cell with its conjugated antigen-presenting cell. Despite micromolar TCR:pMHC affinities, T cells respond to even a single antigenic pMHC, and higher-order TCRs have been postulated to maintain high antigen sensitivity and trigger signaling. We interrogated the stoichiometry of TCRs and their associated CD3 subunits on the surface of living T cells through single-molecule brightness and single-molecule coincidence analysis, photon-antibunching-based fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and Förster resonance energy transfer measurements. We found exclusively monomeric TCR–CD3 complexes driving the recognition of antigenic pMHCs, which underscores the exceptional capacity of single TCR–CD3 complexes to elicit robust intracellular signaling. Higher-order TCRs have been postulated to maintain high antigen sensitivity and trigger signaling. Huppa and colleagues use various investigative techniques and find exclusively monomeric TCR–CD3 complexes that drive the recognition of antigenic pMHC.