CD4+ T-cell receptor specific for House Dust Mite-derived peptides (HDM-specific TCR)

CD4+ T-cell receptors specific for House Dust Mite (HDM)-derived peptides are specialized immune receptors that play a central role in the development and maintenance of HDM-induced allergic diseases, including asthma and allergic rhinitis. These receptors recognize allergenic peptides derived from mite proteins, such as Der p 1 and Der p 2, when presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells (Wambre et al., 2012). In sensitized individuals, the interaction between the TCR and the HDM peptide-MHC complex triggers the activation of Th2-polarized CD4+ T cells, which drive the allergic inflammatory cascade through the production of cytokines like IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 (Galli et al., 2008). Therapeutic interventions, such as allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), utilize HDM extracts or synthetic peptides to target these TCRs, aiming to induce immunological tolerance or immune deviation toward a regulatory T-cell (Treg) or Th1 phenotype (Akdis & Akdis, 2014). By modulating the activity of these specific T-cell populations, clinicians can reduce allergic symptoms and prevent the progression of respiratory disease. Monitoring the dynamics of HDM-specific TCR repertoires and associated biomarkers is increasingly used to evaluate patient response to immunotherapy (Cunningham et al., 2021).

Other names

House dust mite-specific T-cell receptorHDM-reactive TCRDer p-specific TCRDer f-specific TCRMite-specific CD4+ T-cell receptor

Induction of immune tolerance through T-cell anergy, deletion, or immune deviation from a Th2 to a Th1/Treg response.