Autoantigen-specific T cell receptor recognizing PVT301 peptide–MHC class II complex (PVT301 TCR)

The PVT301 T cell receptor (TCR) is a pathogenic, autoantigen-specific receptor found on CD4+ T cells in patients with Pemphigus Vulgaris (PV). It specifically recognizes a peptide epitope derived from Desmoglein 3 (Dsg3), typically the 190-204 amino acid sequence, presented by the MHC class II molecule HLA-DRB1*04:02. In the pathogenesis of PV, T cells expressing this TCR provide essential help to B cells, driving the production of IgG autoantibodies that target Dsg3 and lead to the loss of cell-cell adhesion (acantholysis) in the epidermis. As a central driver of the autoimmune response, the PVT301 TCR is a primary target for antigen-specific therapies, including Chimeric Autoantibody Receptor (CAAR) T cells, TCR-engineered regulatory T cells (Tregs), and peptide-MHC nanoparticles (Navacims), which aim to selectively suppress or eliminate the pathogenic T cell population while sparing the rest of the immune system.

Other names

PVT301 T cell receptorDsg3-specific T cell receptorDesmoglein 3-specific TCRPemphigus Vulgaris T-cell receptorPV-T3 TCR clone

Antigen-specific T cell suppression or elimination; induction of regulatory T cells (Tregs) via peptide-MHC recognition; selective depletion of autoantibody-producing B cells.