Hepatitis B surface antigen-specific B-cell and T-cell receptors (HBsAg-specific BCR/TCR)

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-specific B-cell and T-cell receptors are specialized immune proteins that recognize the envelope protein of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). These receptors play a pivotal role in the natural clearance of HBV; however, in chronic infection, HBsAg-specific T cells often become exhausted or deleted, while B-cell responses are frequently impaired (Source: PMID: 33852555). Therapeutic interventions leverage these receptors by engineering T cells with high-affinity TCRs (TCR-T therapy) to specifically target and eliminate HBV-infected hepatocytes and HBV-integrated tumor cells (Source: SCG Cell Therapy). Similarly, HBsAg-specific BCRs are used as templates for developing neutralizing monoclonal antibodies that facilitate viral clearance and prevent new infections (Source: PMID: 34293345). These receptor-based strategies are currently being investigated in clinical trials as potential components of a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B and treatment for HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma. By restoring or supplementing these specific immune recognitions, clinicians hope to overcome the immune tolerance characteristic of chronic HBV infection. The development of these therapies requires precise mapping of HBsAg epitopes and the selection of receptors with optimal affinity and specificity to avoid off-target effects. Overall, these receptors represent a cornerstone of next-generation immunotherapies aiming for long-term control of HBV.

Other names

HBsAg-specific T-cell receptorHBsAg-specific B-cell receptorAnti-HBs TCRAnti-HBs BCRHBV-specific immune receptorsHepatitis B surface antigen-specific immune receptors

Adoptive T-cell therapy (TCR-T) involves engineering T cells to express specific TCRs that recognize HBsAg-presenting cells, leading to targeted lysis of infected hepatocytes. BCR-based therapies involve the administration of monoclonal antibodies that mimic the function of HBsAg-specific B-cell receptors to neutralize the virus (Source: PMID: 33852555, 34293345).