Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Review Article
  • Published:

A one-receptor view of T-cell behaviour

Nature volume 292, pages 497–501 (1981)Cite this article

Abstract

The discovery of T cells and their behaviour has forced a re-evaluation of the immunological relationship between self and not-self. T cells seem to respond against foreign antigens only when the latter are in some form of association with self molecules encoded by the major histocompatibility complex. This has raised the question of whether T-cell recognition may depend on two separate receptors. I present here the case for a model of T-cell behaviour based on a single receptor.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Mitchison, N. A. in Strategies of Immune Regulation (ed. Sercarz, E.) (Academic, New York, 1980).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Janeway, C. A. Jr, Wigzell, H. & Binz, H. Scand. J. Immun. 5, 993 (1976).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Langman, R. E. in Rev. Physiol. Biochem. Pharmac. 81, 1 (1978).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Cohn, M. & Epstein, R. E. Cell. Immun. 39, 125 (1978).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Blanden, R. V. & Ada, G. L. Scand. J. Immun. 7, 181 (1978).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Von Boehmer, H., Haas, W. & Jerne, N. K. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 75, 2439 (1978).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Droege, W. Immunobiology 156, 2 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Williamson, A. R. Nature 283, 527 (1980).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Seshi, B. Curr. Sci. 48, 919 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Zinkernagel, R. M. & Doherty, P. C. Nature 251, 547 (1974).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Cunningham, A. J. & Lafferty, K. J. Scand. J. Immun. 6, 1 (1977).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Schwartz, R. H. Scand. J. Immun. 7, 3 (1978).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Matzinger, P. & Bevan, M. J. Cell. Immun. 29, 1 (1977).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Matzinger, P. thesis, Univ. California, San Diego (1980).

  15. Cohen, R. J. & Eisen, H. N. Cell Immun. 32, 1 (1977).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Schrader, J. W., Cunningham, B. A. & Edelman, G. M. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 72, 5066 (1975).

    ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Bourguignon, L. Y., Hyman, R., Trowbridge, I. & Singer, S. J. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 75, 2406 (1978).

    ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Zarling, D. A., Keshet, I., Watson, A. & Bach, F. H. Scand. J. Immun. 8, 497 (1978).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Gomard, E. et al. Eur. J. Immun. 8, 228 (1978).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Jerne, N. K. Eur. J. Immun. 1, 1 (1971).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Owen, R. D. Science 102, 400 (1945).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Billingham, R. E., Brent, L. & Medawar, P. B. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. 239, 357 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  23. Burnet, F. M. The Clonal Selection Theory of Acquired Immunity (Cambridge University Press, 1959).

    Google Scholar 

  24. Bretscher, P. & Kohn, M. Science 169, 1042 (1970).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Doherty, P. C. & Bennink, J. R. Scand. J. Immun. 12, 271 (1980).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Gershon, R. K. & Kondo, K. Immunology 21, 903 (1971).

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  27. Nossal, G. J. V. & Pike, B. L. J. exp. Med. 141, 904 (1975).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Lederberg, J. Science 129, 1649 (1959).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Bevan, M. J. J. exp. Med. 142, 1349 (1975).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Kindred, B. & Shreffler, D. C. J. Immun. 109, 940 (1972).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Katz, D. H., Hamaoka, T. & Benacerraf, B. J. exp. Med. 137, 1405 (1973).

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Shearer, G. M. Eur. J. Immun. 4, 527 (1974).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Gordon, R. D., Mathieson, B. J., Samelson, L. E., Boyse, E. A. & Simpson, E. J. exp. Med. 144, 810 (1976).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Miller, J. F. A. P., Vadas, M. A., Whitelaw, A. & Gamble, J. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 73, 2486 (1976).

    ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Transplantn Rev. 29 (1976).

  36. Peavey, D. L. & Pierce, C. W. J. Immun. 115, 1515 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  37. Lindahl, K. F. & Wilson, D. B. J. exp. Med. 145, 508 (1977).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Teh, H. S., Phillips, R. A. & Miller, R. G. J. Immun. 120, 425 (1978).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Teh, H. S., Phillips, R. A. & Miller, R. G. J. Immun. 121, 1711 (1978).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Plata, F. & Levy, J. P. Nature 249, 271 (1974).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Todd, R. F. III, Stulting, R. D. & Amos, D. B. Cell. Immun. 18, 304 (1975).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Stulting, R. D., Todd, R. F. III & Amos, D. B. Cell. Immun. 20, 54 (1975).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Basten, A., Miller, J. F. A. P. & Abraham, R. J. exp. Med. 141, 547 (1975).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Swierkosz, J. E., Rock, K., Marrack, P. & Kappler, J. W. J. exp. Med. 147, 554 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  45. Watt, T. S. & Gooding, L. R. Nature 283, 74 (1980).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Doherty, P. C. & Bennink, J. R. J. exp. Med. 149, 150 (1979).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Heber-Katz, E. & Wilson, D. B. J. exp. Med. 142, 928 (1975).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Pierce, C. W., Kapp, J. A. & Benacerraff, B. J. exp. Med. 144, 371 (1976).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Thomas, D. W. & Shevach, E. M. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74, 2104 (1977).

    ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Wilson, D. B., Lindahl, K. F., Wilson, D. H. & Sprent, J. J. exp. Med. 146, 361 (1977).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Doherty, P. C. & Bennink, J. R. J. exp. Med. 150, 1187 (1979).

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  52. Sprent, J. & von Boehmer, H. J. exp. Med. 144, 617 (1976).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Shearer, G. M. & Schmitt-Verhulst, A. Adv. Immun. 25, 55 (1977).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Sprent, J. Immun. Rev. 42, 108 (1978).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Benacerraf, B. & McDevitt, H. O. Science 175, 273 (1972).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Lilly, F., Graham, H. & Coley, R. Transplantn Proc. 5, 193 (1973).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Davis, S., Shearer, G. M., Mozes, E. & Sela, M. J. Immun. 115, 1530 (1975).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Immun. Rev. 38 (1978).

  59. Benacerraf, B. & Germain, R. Immun. Rev. 38, 70 (1978).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. McDevitt, H. O. & Benacerraf, B. Adv. Immun. 11, 31 (1969).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Chesebro, B. W. et al. Eur. J. Immun. 2, 243 (1972).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Kappler, J. W. & Marrack, P. J. exp. Med. 148, 1510 (1978).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Longo, D. L. & Schwartz, R. H. J. exp. Med. 151, 1452 (1980).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Hodes, R. J., Hathcock, K. S. & Singer, A. J. Immun. 123, 2823 (1979).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Dorf, M. E. & Benacerraf, B. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 72, 3671 (1975).

    ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Günther, R. & Rüde, E. J. Immun. 115, 1387 (1975).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Melchers, I. & Rajewsky, K. Eur. J. Immun. 5, 753 (1975).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Dorf, M. E., Twigg, M. B. & Benacerraf, B. Eur. J. Immun. 6, 552 (1976).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Dorf, M. E. & Stimpfling, J. H. J. exp. Med. 146, 571 (1977).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Cook, R. G., Vitetta, E. S., Uhr, J. W. & Capra, J. D. J. exp. Med. 149, 981 (1979).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Silver, J. J. Immun. 123, 1423 (1979).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Fathman, C. G. & Hengartner, H. Nature 272, 617 (1978).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Simpson, E. & Gordon, R. D. Immun. Rev. 35, 59 (1977).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  74. McDevitt, H. O. & Chinitz, A. Science 163, 1207 (1969).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. Gasser, D. L. J. Immun. 105, 908 (1970).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Lilly, F., Jacoby, J. S. & Coley, R. C. in Immunogenetics of the H–2 System (eds Lengerová, & Vojtiskova, M.) 197–199 (Karger, Basel, 1971).

    Google Scholar 

  77. Gasser, D. L. & Silvers, W. K. Adv. Immun. 18, 1 (1974).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Keck, K. & Momayezi, M. J. Immun. 121, 1612 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  79. Kapp, J. A., Pierce, C. W., Schlossman, S. & Benacerraf, B. J. exp. Med. 140, 648 (1974).

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  80. Debré, P., Waltenbaugh, C., Dorf, M. E. & Benacerraf, B. J. exp. Med. 144, 272 (1976).

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  81. Benacerraf, B. & Dorf, M. Cold Spring Harb. Symp. quant. Biol. 41, 465 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  82. Transplant Rev. 26 (1975).

  83. Immun. Rev. 46 (1979).

  84. Gorer, P. A. J. Path. Bact. 47, 231 (1938).

    Google Scholar 

  85. Cunce, S., Smith, P., Barth, R. & Snell, G. D. Ann. Surg. 144, 198 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  86. Simonsen, M. Prog. Allergy 6, 349 (1962).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  87. Dutton, R. W. J. exp. Med. 123, 665 (1966).

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  88. Cantrell, J. L. & Hildemann, W. H. Transplantation 14, 761 (1972).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Nisbet, N. W., Simonsen, M. & Zaleski, M. J. exp. Med. 129, 459 (1969).

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  90. Ford, W. L., Simmonds, S. J. & Atkins, R. C. J. exp. Med. 141, 681 (1975).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  91. Bevan, M. J., Langman, R. E. & Cohn, M. Eur. J. Immun. 6, 150 (1976).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Lindahl, K. F. & Wilson, D. B. J. exp. Med. 145, 508 (1977).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  93. Swain, S. L., Panfili, P. R., Dutton, R. W. & Lefkovits, I. J. Immun. 123, 1062 (1979).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  94. Burnet, F. M. Nature 226, 123 (1970).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  95. Thomas, L. in Cellular and Humoral Aspects of the Hypersensitive States (ed. Lawrance, S.) 529 (Cassell, London, 1959).

    Google Scholar 

  96. Simonsen, M. Cold Spring Harb. Symp. quant. Biol. 32, 517 (1967).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  97. Warner, N. L. Cold Spring Harb. Symp. quant. Biol. 32, 523 (1967) (Discussion).

    Google Scholar 

  98. Burakoff, S. J. et al. J. exp. Med. 148, 1414 (1978).

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  99. Cunningham, A. J. Cell. Immun. 19, 368 (1975).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  100. Sherman, L. A. J. exp. Med. 151, 1386 (1980).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  101. Klein, J. Adv. Immun. 26, 55 (1978).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  102. Bevan, M. J. Nature 269, 417 (1977).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  103. Sprent, J. J. exp. Med. 147, 1838 (1978).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  104. Zinkernagel, R. M. et al. J. exp. Med. 147, 882 (1978).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  105. Waldmann, H., Pope, H., Bettles, C. & Davies, A. J. S. Nature 277, 137 (1979).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  106. Zinkernagel, R. M. et al. J. exp. Med. 147, 897 (1978).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  107. Fink, P. J. & Bevan, M. J. J. exp. Med. 148, 766 (1978).

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  108. Miller, J. F. A. P., Gamble, J., Mottram, P. & Smith, F. I. Scand. J. Immun. 9, 29 (1979).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  109. Longo, D. L. & Schwartz, R. H. Nature 287, 44 (1980).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  110. Lubaroff, D. M. & Silvers, W. K. J. Immun. 111, 65 (1973).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  111. Nakić, B., Mikuška, J., Kaštelan, A., Springer, O. & Silobrčić, V. Immunology 18, 119 (1970).

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  112. Brent, L., Brooks, C. G., Medawar, P. B. & Simpson, E. Br. med. Bull. 32, 101 (1976).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  113. Kindred, B. Cell. Immun. 20, 241 (1975).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  114. Zinkernagel, R. M., Callahan, G. N., Streilein, J. W. & Klein, J. Nature 266, 837 (1977).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  115. Waldmann, H., Pope, H., Brent, L. & Bighouse, K. Nature 274, 166 (1978).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  116. Roser, B. J. & Dorsch, S. Nature 258, 233 (1975).

    ADS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  117. Gorczynski, R. M. & MacRae, S. J. Immun. 122, 747 (1979).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  118. Holáň, V., Chutná, J. & Hášek, M. Nature 274, 895 (1978).

    ADS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  119. Reiger, M. & Hilgert, I. J. Immunogenetics 4, 61 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  120. Smith, F. I. & Miller, J. F. A. P. J. exp. Med. 151, 246 (1980).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  121. Yowell, R. L., Araneo, B. A., Miller, A. & Sercarz, E. E. Nature 279, 70 (1979).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  122. Schwartz, M. et al. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 73, 2862 (1976).

    ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  123. Ivanyi, P., Melief, C. J. M., van Mourik, P., Vlug, A. & de Greeve, P. Nature 282, 843 (1979).

    ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  124. van Leeuwen, A., Goulmy, E. & van Rood, J. J. J. exp. Med. 150, 1075 (1979).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  125. Bevan, M. J. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74, 2094 (1977).

    ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  126. Lemonnier, F., Burakoff, S. J., Germain, R. N. & Benacerraf, B. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74, 1229 (1977).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  127. Finberg, R., Burakoff, S. J., Cantor, H. & Benacerraf, B. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S A. 75, 5145 (1978).

    ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  128. Von Boehmer, H. et al. Eur. J. Immun. 9, 592 (1979).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  129. Kappler, J. W., Skidmore, B., White, J. & Marrack, P. J. exp. Med. 153, 1198 (1981).

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Rd, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK

    Polly Matzinger

Authors
  1. Polly Matzinger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Matzinger, P. A one-receptor view of T-cell behaviour. Nature 292, 497–501 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/292497a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/292497a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing