Cell-surface antigens on pathogenic immune cells

Cell-surface antigens on pathogenic immune cells refers to a broad class of proteins and glycoproteins expressed on the membrane of leukocytes that mediate disease-driving processes in autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, and hematologic malignancies [1, 5]. These antigens, often identified using the Cluster of Differentiation (CD) nomenclature, include prominent therapeutic targets like CD19, CD20, CD38, and B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) [1]. In their physiological roles, these molecules facilitate essential immune functions, including cell-to-cell signaling, adhesion, and antigen recognition [1, 2]. However, in a pathogenic context, they serve as specific markers for the identification and therapeutic destruction of aberrant cell populations, such as malignant B cells in leukemia or autoreactive lymphocytes in autoimmune disorders [2, 3]. Therapeutic interventions targeting these antigens utilize various modalities, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs), and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies [2, 3]. These treatments typically work by inducing antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), or direct T-cell mediated lysis of the target cells [2, 5]. While these therapies have revolutionized the treatment of cancers and autoimmune diseases, they are associated with significant safety challenges, most notably on-target, off-tumor toxicity, which can lead to the depletion of healthy immune cells and subsequent immunodeficiency, as well as systemic inflammatory responses like cytokine release syndrome (CRS) [3, 4].

Other names

Immune cell surface markersLeukocyte differentiation antigensCD markersPathogenic immune cell antigens

Targeted depletion of pathogenic cells via mechanisms such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), and direct induction of apoptosis, or through the recruitment of effector T-cells using bispecific antibodies and CAR-T cells [2, 3, 5].