Minor histocompatibility antigen-specific T cell receptor (MiHA-specific TCR) (MiHA-specific TCR)

Minor histocompatibility antigen-specific T cell receptors (MiHA-specific TCRs) are immune receptors that recognize polymorphic peptides, known as minor histocompatibility antigens, presented by Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules on the cell surface (Source: PubMed, PMID: 25635018). These antigens arise from genetic differences between individuals and are primary targets of the T cell-mediated immune response following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Source: Blood, DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-06-746347). MiHA-specific TCRs are of significant therapeutic interest because they can mediate the graft-versus-leukemia (GvL) effect, where donor T cells selectively eliminate recipient malignant cells (Source: Frontiers in Immunology, DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00068). By engineering T cells to express TCRs specific for MiHAs restricted to the hematopoietic system, such as HA-1 or ACC-1, researchers aim to treat leukemias while avoiding systemic graft-versus-host disease (Source: Journal of Clinical Investigation, DOI: 10.1172/JCI134059). These TCR-based therapies represent a precision medicine approach to immunotherapy, leveraging the natural specificity of the immune system to target cancer-associated polymorphisms (Source: Nature Reviews Cancer, DOI: 10.1038/s41568-019-0210-z).

Other names

MiHA-TCRMinor histocompatibility antigen-reactive T cell receptormHAg-specific TCRHLA-restricted MiHA-specific TCR

Engineered T cells expressing the MiHA-specific TCR recognize and bind to specific polymorphic peptides (minor histocompatibility antigens) presented by Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules on the surface of target cells, triggering T cell activation, cytokine release, and subsequent lysis of the target cell (Source: PubMed, PMID: 25635018).