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Reconstituting T cell receptor selection in-silico

Papers
#1

Each T cell receptor (TCR) gene is created without regard for which substances (antigens) the receptor can recognize. T cell selection removes developing T cells when their TCRs (i) fail to recognize major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs) that act as antigen presenting platforms or (ii) recognize with high affinity self-antigens derived from healthy cells and tissue. While T cell selection has been thoroughly studied, little is known about which TCRs are retained or removed by this process. Therefore, we develop an approach using TCR gene sequencing and machine learning to identify patterns in TCR protein sequences influencing the outcome of T cell receptor selection.

We train machine learning models to predict that repaired, non-productive TCR protein sequences are found before T cell selection and productive TCR protein sequences are found after T cell selection. We then verify the trained models classify TCRs from developing T cells as being before selection and TCRs from mature T cells as being after selection. Our approach may provide future avenues for studying the relationship between T cell selection and conditions like autoimmune diseases.

Disclosure: The research in this manuscript is protected by a provisional patent from UT Southwestern

Journal Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41435-021-00141-9

Open Access Link: https://rdcu.be/cmt4E

2 Likes
#2

Congratulations on the paper.

You might be interested in reading our 2014 and 2021 papers on inferring selection scores from the difference between productive sequences and generation models (themselves learned from nonproductive sequences), without the need to repair rearrangements:


1 Like
#3

What are your selection scores for thymic TCR genes? Our approach assigns thymic and repaired TCR genes similar selection scores. Without this experimental result, our approach would only be supported by theoretical assumptions.

It is time to push the clinical applications of reconstituting T cell receptor selection, especially now that there is more than one approach! That’s a sign the technology is ready. I’ll be sure to cite your work in my next papers