Peptide–Human Leukocyte Antigen complexes derived from Aspergillus fumigatus Gel1, SHMT, and Crf1 antigens (pHLA (Aspergillus Gel1/SHMT/Crf1))

Peptide–Human Leukocyte Antigen (pHLA) complexes derived from Aspergillus fumigatus antigens Gel1, SHMT, and Crf1 are essential molecular targets for the development of immunotherapies against invasive aspergillosis (IA). These complexes are formed when immunodominant peptides from the fungal proteins 1,3-beta-glucanosyltransferase (Gel1), serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT), and the cell wall protein Crf1 are processed and presented on the surface of host cells by MHC molecules, particularly HLA class II (Bacher et al., 2013, Cell Host & Microbe). These specific antigens are highly conserved across Aspergillus species and are known to elicit robust CD4+ T-cell responses in healthy individuals, which are often deficient in patients at risk for IA (Stuehler et al., 2011, Frontiers in Microbiology). By targeting these pHLA complexes, therapeutic approaches such as adoptive T-cell therapy and TCR-engineered T cells (TCR-T) aim to restore or enhance the host's antifungal immunity. The recognition of these complexes by T-cell receptors (TCRs) triggers the release of protective cytokines like IFN-gamma and coordinates the clearance of fungal hyphae. Research into these targets is primarily focused on protecting immunocompromised patients, such as hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, from life-threatening fungal infections (Bacher et al., 2016, Methods in Molecular Biology).

Other names

Aspergillus fumigatus peptide-MHC complexesGel1/SHMT/Crf1-HLA complexesAspergillus-specific pHLAAspergillus fumigatus T-cell targetspHLA (Aspergillus Gel1/SHMT/Crf1)

Recognition by specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) on CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, triggering an immune response and fungal clearance.