HLA-A*02:01-MART-1 peptide complex (HLA-A2/MART-1)

The HLA-A*02:01-MART-1 peptide complex is a specific peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) presented on the surface of melanoma cells and professional antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells. It is formed by the association of the HLA-A*02:01 MHC Class I molecule with an immunodominant peptide derived from MART-1 (Melanoma-associated antigen recognized by T cells 1), also known as Melan-A. This complex is a pivotal target in cancer immunotherapy because MART-1 is overexpressed in the majority of melanomas. CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) utilize their T-cell receptors (TCRs) to specifically recognize this complex, triggering an immune response against the tumor. Therapeutic strategies targeting this complex include TCR-engineered T-cell (TCR-T) therapies, TCR-like antibodies, and therapeutic vaccines. However, because MART-1 is also expressed in normal melanocytes, clinical use of these therapies often carries risks of autoimmune-like toxicities in the skin, eyes, and inner ear.

Other names

HLA-A*02:01-Melan-A peptide complexMART-1/HLA-A2 complexMelan-A/HLA-A*02:01 complexpMHC HLA-A*02:01/MART-1(26-35)pMHC HLA-A*02:01/MART-1(27-35)

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated recognition of the pMHC complex, leading to the activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and subsequent lysis of the target cell.