HLA-A*02:01-restricted Hepatitis B virus envelope peptide complex (HLA-A*02:01/HBV env)

The HLA-A*02:01-restricted Hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope peptide complex is a specific peptide-MHC (pMHC) assembly presented on the surface of HBV-infected hepatocytes or HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. This complex consists of the HLA-A*02:01 molecule, a common Class I Major Histocompatibility Complex allele, bound to immunodominant epitopes derived from the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), such as HBsAg 183-191 or 335-343. Its primary biological function is to serve as a ligand for the T-cell receptor (TCR) of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, triggering an immune response against the virus. In the context of chronic infection and malignancy, this complex is a critical therapeutic target for TCR-engineered T-cell (TCR-T) therapies and TCR-like antibodies designed to selectively eliminate cells harboring the virus or viral integrations. Clinical development of drugs targeting this complex, such as SCG101, aims to restore the exhausted immune response in chronic hepatitis B patients and provide a precision medicine approach for HBV-associated liver cancer.

Other names

HLA-A*02:01/HBsAg complexHLA-A2/HBV envelope peptideHBV envelope peptide-MHC complexHBsAg183-191/HLA-A*02:01HBsAg335-343/HLA-A*02:01

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated recognition and lysis of HBV-infected or HBV-integrated tumor cells; TCR-T cell therapy; TCR-like antibody-drug conjugates or CAR-T cells.