| abstract |
Methods are provided for inhibiting or enhancing down- regulation of an antigen-activated HLA-E+ T cell by an HLA-E-restricted CD8+ T cell comprising contacting the HLA-E* T cell and CD8 + T cell with an agent which inhibits or enhances, respectively, binding between (i) T cell receptor (TCR) on the surface of the CD8+ T cell and (ii) a self peptide presented by HLA-E on the surface of the HLA-E+ T cell, thereby inhibiting or enhancing, respectively, down-regulation of the antigen- activated HLA-E+ T cell. Compositions comprising agents which inhibit or enhance/activate, respectively, binding between (i) T cell receptor (TCR) on the surface of a CD8+ T cell and (ii) a self peptide presented by HLA-E on the surface of a HLA-E+ T cell, and assays for identifying such agents, are provided. |