Hepatitis B virus-specific B-cell and T-cell receptors (HBV-specific BCR/TCR)

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific B-cell receptors (BCRs) and T-cell receptors (TCRs) represent the primary components of the adaptive immune system's effort to clear HBV infection. TCRs recognize specific HBV-derived peptides, such as those from the surface (S), core (C), or polymerase (P) proteins, when presented by peptide-MHC (pMHC) complexes on the surface of infected hepatocytes. BCRs recognize the native conformation of HBV surface antigens (HBsAg) to facilitate viral neutralization. In chronic HBV infection, these receptors are often numerically deficient or functionally exhausted, leading to viral persistence. Therapeutic strategies currently under development involve engineering autologous T-cells to express high-affinity HBV-specific TCRs (TCR-T therapy) or utilizing monoclonal antibodies derived from potent BCRs to restore immune control. These approaches aim to achieve a functional cure by eliminating HBV-infected cells and reducing the circulating viral load, though they require careful management of potential liver inflammation and cytokine-related side effects.

Other names

HBV-specific immune receptorsHepatitis B virus-specific T-cell receptorsHepatitis B virus-specific B-cell receptorsHBV-pMHC complex targetsHBV-specific TCR-T and BCR-based therapies

Engineered T-cell receptors (TCRs) recognize HBV-derived peptides presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules on infected hepatocytes, leading to direct cytolysis of the infected cells. B-cell receptors (BCRs) or derived monoclonal antibodies bind to viral surface antigens to neutralize virions and promote clearance via opsonization.