Mucin 1-derived peptide-MHC complex (MUC1-pMHC)

Mucin 1-derived peptide-MHC complexes represent a critical class of tumor-associated antigens used in cancer immunotherapy. Mucin 1 (MUC1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is normally heavily glycosylated and expressed on the apical surface of epithelial cells; however, in many adenocarcinomas, it becomes overexpressed, loses its apical polarity, and exhibits aberrant hypoglycosylation. These changes allow MUC1 to be processed by the proteasome into specific peptides that are then loaded onto Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules, primarily HLA-A*02:01, and presented on the cell surface. These peptide-MHC (pMHC) complexes are recognized by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, making them ideal targets for TCR-engineered T-cell (TCR-T) therapies and TCR-like antibodies. Because the specific MUC1 peptides presented in a tumor context often differ from those in normal tissue due to altered processing and glycosylation, they provide a window for selective therapeutic targeting of malignant cells.

Other names

MUC1 peptide-HLA complexMUC1-derived epitopesMUC1-MHC class I complexMUC1-HLA-A*02:01 complexTumor-associated MUC1 peptides

T-cell mediated cytotoxicity, Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), Induction of immune response via TCR binding to the peptide-MHC complex