Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules presenting Plasmodium falciparum peptides (Pf-pMHC)

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules presenting Plasmodium falciparum peptides are specialized cell-surface complexes essential for the adaptive immune system to detect and eliminate malaria parasites (Source: PubMed ID: 29164944). These complexes consist of a host-derived MHC molecule (HLA in humans) and a short peptide fragment derived from Plasmodium proteins, such as the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) or the liver-stage antigen 1 (LSA-1) (Source: UniProt). When these complexes are displayed on the surface of infected hepatocytes or professional antigen-presenting cells, they are recognized by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells (Source: Nature Reviews Immunology, 2013). This recognition triggers a cascade of immune responses, including the direct lysis of infected cells and the release of cytokines like interferon-gamma, which are vital for controlling the infection (Source: PubMed ID: 23543121). In therapeutic development, these pMHC complexes are the primary targets for T-cell-inducing vaccines and are being explored for TCR-like antibody therapies (Source: WHO). However, the high degree of HLA polymorphism in human populations and the significant antigenic variation of Plasmodium falciparum pose major hurdles for the development of universally effective treatments (Source: PubMed ID: 30510063).

Other names

HLA-Plasmodium falciparum peptide complexpMHC complex (malaria)Plasmodium falciparum antigen-MHC complexMHC-Pf peptide complex

Activation of T-cell mediated immunity through the recognition of parasite-derived epitopes presented on MHC molecules by T-cell receptors (TCRs).