Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 helper peptide epitope (UCP2 helper peptide)

Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) helper peptide epitope is a specific amino acid sequence derived from the UCP2 protein, designed to stimulate the immune system's CD4+ T-helper cells. UCP2 is a mitochondrial transporter protein that uncouples oxidative phosphorylation from ATP synthesis, thereby regulating the mitochondrial membrane potential and mitigating the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (UniProt: P55851). In many types of cancer, UCP2 is significantly overexpressed, which helps tumor cells adapt to oxidative stress and promotes a glycolytic metabolic state known as the Warburg effect (PubMed: 18413535). This overexpression makes UCP2 an attractive tumor-associated antigen (TAA) for immunotherapy (PubMed: 26859681). The helper peptide epitope is used in vaccines to induce a Th1-type immune response, which provides essential signals for the activation and persistence of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells (PubMed: 22431878). By targeting this epitope, therapeutic vaccines aim to generate a robust and specific immune attack against a broad range of UCP2-expressing malignancies, including colorectal, lung, and pancreatic cancers.

Other names

UCP2 epitopeUCP2-derived CD4+ T-cell epitopeUncoupling protein 2 helper peptideUCP2-derived helper peptide

Stimulates CD4+ T-helper cells to promote an anti-tumor immune response against cells overexpressing UCP2 by presenting the peptide on MHC class II molecules.