Adaptive immune system receptor

Adaptive immune system receptors are a broad class of proteins, primarily including T-cell receptors (TCRs) and B-cell receptors (BCRs), that mediate the specific recognition of antigens by the adaptive immune system [Janeway et al., 2001]. These receptors are characterized by their immense structural diversity, which is generated through somatic recombination of gene segments, enabling the recognition of a wide array of foreign and self-antigens [Abbas et al., 2017]. TCRs recognize processed peptide antigens presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules, while BCRs (membrane-bound immunoglobulins) can recognize diverse molecular structures directly [Murphy & Weaver, 2016]. Dysfunctional signaling or inappropriate targeting by these receptors is central to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, allergies, and the failure of anti-tumor immunity [StatPearls, 2023]. Modern therapeutic interventions frequently target these receptors or their associated signaling complexes using monoclonal antibodies, bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs), and cell-based therapies like CAR-T cells to modulate immune activity for treating cancer and inflammatory disorders [Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2020].

Other names

Antigen receptorT-cell receptorB-cell receptorImmunoglobulinTCRBCR

Modulation of immune signaling through direct binding to receptor subunits (e.g., CD3 in the TCR complex), blockade of co-stimulatory signals, or the introduction of synthetic receptors (CARs) to redirect immune specificity [Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2020].