Exploring the recognition differences of peptides in TCR-pMHC complex

Human Major Histocompatibility Complexes (i.e. Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA)) are involved in the recognition of foreign and self peptides in the adaptive immune response. Short peptide sequences, generated as a result of the proteasome machinery in cells, are bound by the HLA molecules. The generated complex is then transferred to the surface of Antigen Presenting Cells and awaits the interaction with the T-cell Receptors (TCR) of the cytotoxic T-cells. An in-depth understanding of the mechanisms controlling the TCR-pMHC interaction has not yet been obtained.