Human leukocyte antigen A*24:02-peptide complex (HLA-A*24:02-peptide complex)

The HLA-A*24:02-peptide complex is a specific Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I molecule that plays a critical role in the adaptive immune system by presenting endogenous peptides to CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). HLA-A*24:02 is one of the most prevalent HLA-A alleles in East Asian and Oceanic populations, making it a high-priority target for personalized immunotherapy in these regions (Source: Allele Frequency Net Database). The complex consists of the HLA-A heavy chain, β2-microglobulin, and a short peptide (typically 8-11 amino acids) derived from cellular proteins, including tumor-associated antigens or viral proteins (Source: Janeway's Immunobiology). When a CTL's T-cell receptor (TCR) recognizes a specific peptide-HLA complex, it triggers the release of perforins and granzymes, leading to the destruction of the target cell (Source: PubMed, PMID: 29632725). In oncology, therapeutic strategies such as TCR-engineered T-cell (TCR-T) therapy and peptide vaccines specifically target these complexes to eliminate cancer cells expressing antigens like WT1, MAGE-A4, or NY-ESO-1 (Source: Takara Bio, Sumitomo Pharma). However, the high degree of HLA polymorphism and the risk of TCR cross-reactivity with self-peptides present significant challenges in drug development and patient safety.

Other names

HLA-A*24:02HLA-A24MHC class I antigen A*2402pMHC complexHLA-A*24:02-antigen complex

Presentation of intracellularly derived peptides to CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to trigger targeted cell lysis via T-cell receptor (TCR) recognition.