Autoreactive T-cell receptor recognizing myelin antigen (Myelin-reactive TCR)

Autoreactive T-cell receptors (TCRs) recognizing myelin antigens are specialized protein complexes on the surface of T-lymphocytes that play a central role in the pathogenesis of demyelinating diseases like Multiple Sclerosis (MS). These receptors specifically bind to peptides derived from myelin proteins, such as Myelin Basic Protein (MBP), Proteolipid Protein (PLP), and Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG), when presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules (Source: PubMed, PMID: 30243609). This binding event triggers an inflammatory response, leading to the recruitment of other immune cells and the subsequent destruction of the myelin sheath in the central nervous system (Source: NIH, StatPearls). In healthy individuals, these autoreactive T-cells are typically controlled by regulatory mechanisms, but in MS patients, they escape tolerance and drive neurodegeneration (Source: Nature Reviews Immunology). Therapeutic interventions targeting these TCRs aim to achieve antigen-specific immunosuppression, which avoids the risks associated with broad-spectrum immune-modulating drugs. Experimental treatments include TCR-specific vaccines and altered peptide ligands designed to shift the immune response from a pro-inflammatory to a regulatory state (Source: ClinicalTrials.gov).

Other names

Myelin-specific T-cell receptorMBP-reactive T-cell receptorMOG-reactive T-cell receptorPLP-reactive T-cell receptorAutoreactive TCR

Selective depletion or functional inactivation of myelin-specific T-cell clones through TCR-peptide vaccination, altered peptide ligands, or induction of immune tolerance via peptide-MHC complexes.