Diphtheria toxoid-specific B-cell and T-cell receptors (DT-specific BCR/TCR)

Diphtheria toxoid-specific B-cell and T-cell receptors are the molecular components of the adaptive immune system that recognize the inactivated diphtheria toxin (toxoid) used in immunization. These receptors are found on the surface of B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes, respectively, and are characterized by their high specificity for epitopes present on the toxoid molecule (Murphy et al., Janeway's Immunobiology). Upon administration of a diphtheria-containing vaccine, the toxoid interacts with these receptors to stimulate a cascade of immunological events, including clonal expansion, isotype switching, and affinity maturation. This process leads to the generation of long-lived plasma cells that secrete neutralizing IgG antibodies, which are capable of binding to and inactivating the wild-type diphtheria toxin produced by Corynebacterium diphtheriae (WHO, 2017). T-cell receptors play a critical role by recognizing toxoid peptides presented on MHC class II molecules, providing the necessary signals for B-cell help and the establishment of robust immunological memory. The quantification of these receptors and their downstream products, such as specific antibodies, serves as a primary measure of vaccine immunogenicity and protective efficacy (Plotkin's Vaccines, 2018). While these receptors are the intended targets for preventive vaccines, their over-activation or pre-existing high antibody levels can occasionally lead to localized hypersensitivity reactions (CDC, 2022).

Other names

Diphtheria toxoid-specific BCRDiphtheria toxoid-specific TCRAnti-diphtheria toxoid receptorsDT-specific lymphocytes

Diphtheria toxoid acts as an immunogen that binds to specific B-cell receptors and is presented to T-cell receptors, stimulating the production of neutralizing antibodies and immunological memory (CDC, 2022; WHO, 2017).