Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen-MHC-T-cell receptor complex (Mtb-Ag-MHC-TCR)

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) antigen-MHC-T-cell receptor complex is the central mediator of the adaptive immune response against TB infection (Sia et al., 2015, PubMed: 25848054). Mtb-derived proteins, most notably ESAT-6 and CFP-10, are processed into peptides and presented on the surface of host cells by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class I or II molecules (Andersen et al., 2000, PubMed: 11015114). These complexes are specifically recognized by T-cell receptors (TCRs), leading to the activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, which release critical cytokines like Interferon-gamma to control the pathogen (Pai et al., 2014, PubMed: 25113704). This interaction serves as the primary target for modern vaccine candidates, such as M72/AS01E, which aim to induce long-lasting memory T-cells to prevent disease progression (Tait et al., 2019, PubMed: 31661198). Furthermore, the detection of T-cell responses to these specific complexes forms the basis of diagnostic Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs) used globally to identify latent tuberculosis (CDC, 2019).

Other names

Mtb peptide-MHC complexMtb pMHCT-cell epitopes of Mycobacterium tuberculosisMtb antigen-presenting complexMtb-specific T-cell receptor ligand

Immunostimulation via T-cell receptor activation and priming of memory T-cells to recognize and eliminate Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected cells.