iNKT TCR

The T cell receptor or TCR is a molecule found on the surface of T lymphocytes (or T cells) that is responsible for recognizing antigens bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. The binding between TCR and antigen is of relatively low affinity and is degenerate: that is, many TCRs recognize the same antigen and many antigens are recognized by the same TCR. The TCR is composed of two different protein chains (that is, it is a heterodimer). In man 95% of T cells the TCR consists of an alpha (α) and beta (β) chain, whereas in 5% of T cells the TCR consists of gamma and delta (γ/δ) chains. This ratio changes during ontogeny and in diseased states as well as in different species.