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. 2021 Apr 15;131(8):e135166. doi: 10.1172/JCI135166

Figure 8. T cells expressing CD1b- and CD1c-associated TCRs are enriched in the skin but not blood during rejection episodes.

Figure 8

The antigen receptor (CDR3) sequences of T cells infiltrating face transplant rejection specimens were analyzed by high-throughput TCR sequencing. These CDR3 sequences were then clustered with known CD1b- and CD1c-specific sequences using the grouping of lymphocyte interactions by paratope hotspots (GLIPH) algorithm. Two hundred eighty-five CDR3 sequences from face transplant skin specimens that clustered with known CD1b-reactive TCRs and 88 sequences that clustered with known CD1c-specific TCRs were identified (Supplemental Table 14). (A and B) The absolute number (left) and relative frequency of total T cells (right) of CD1b-associated TCRs (A) and CD1c-associated TCRs (B) in blood and skin are shown. Seventeen skin biopsies and 12 skin samples from 3 donors were studied. (C and D) Local enrichment of multiple CD1b-associated (C) and CD1c-associated (D) TCRs occurred in some but not all episodes of rejection. Gd, grade; Pt, patient.