The biologic activity of anti-T cell receptor V region monoclonal antibodies is determined by the epitope recognized.

We have used 10 independently isolated mAb reactive with the Ag R on a cloned Th cell line to map three distinct epitopes and three subepitopes on the R. One of these epitopes is clearly on the V beta 8 region, as it is defined by the antibodies KJ-16 and F23.1, known to react with the V beta 8 family of variable regions, and a functional rearranged V beta 8 gene has been cloned from this cell line. Antibodies directed at a second epitope, believed to be on V alpha because it is unaffected by anti-V beta antibodies, are completely inhibited from binding by monoclonal anti-CD3 epsilon-chain antibodies. Because the cloned Th cell line used, D10.G4.1, responds to soluble monoclonal anti-TCR antibodies, it has been possible to compare the binding of anti-R antibodies with their ability to activate this cloned T cell line. We find that for antibodies all specific for the same or a closely related epitope, activation is proportional to binding, by using antibodies that differ by greater than 100-fold in avidity for the R. By contrast, antibodies directed at different epitopes on the R differ markedly in their ability to activate the D10.G4.1 cell line. We have tested whether these differences reflect differences in the orientation of cross-linking the TCR or possible conformational changes induced in the R by the antibodies, and our data support the latter hypothesis as an explanation for the differences in activation potency between antibodies.