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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2024 Aug 1.
Published in final edited form as: J Immunol. 2023 Aug 1;211(3):311–322. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300136

Table 1:

Binding mode definitions.

Term Definition Examples
Monospecificity Monospecific binding of AIRs refers to their capacity to bind to a single epitope with a consistent binding interface and binding mode within the apparent affinity ranges for BCRs (KD range ≈ pM-nM) and TCRs (KD range ≈ μM-mM) Antibodies targeting variable epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 RBD
Broad specificity Broadly reactive specificities react with epitopes that are generally well conserved but have either minor residue changes or changes to the local structure Broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV or influenza viruses; TCRs cross-reactive with nonapeptide and decapeptide of MART-1
Cross-reactive Recognition of a discrete motif that is shared in antigens that otherwise share little-to-no similarity BCR and TCR binding to Streptococcal M protein and cardiac myosin; HIV and HCV binding antibodies
Polyreactive (BCR) Binding to many distinct antigens with diverse motifs using multiple antibody paratopes that interact with diverse epitopes found on different antigen classes (e.g., protein, lipid, glycan) Antibodies against influenza HA stalk domain; anti-HIV MPER antibodies
Promiscuity (TCR) Binding to vast numbers of unrelated peptide antigens TCR 1E6 binding to recognize over 1 million distinct decameric peptides in the context of HLA-A*02:01