Respiratory syncytial virus fusion protein-specific T-cell receptor (RSV F-specific TCR)

The Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion (F) protein-specific T-cell receptor (TCR) is a specialized heterodimeric protein complex found on the surface of T lymphocytes that mediates the adaptive immune response against RSV. It functions by recognizing specific viral peptides, such as the highly conserved F85-93 epitope, when they are presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules on the surface of infected respiratory epithelial cells (Source: Journal of Virology, 2017, PMID: 28834710). Upon binding to the peptide-MHC complex, the TCR initiates intracellular signaling that leads to the activation of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, which then eliminate infected cells through the release of perforins and granzymes (Source: Nature Communications, 2019, PMID: 31511311). This target is of significant interest in the development of adoptive T-cell therapies (TCR-T), where patient T cells are engineered to express these specific receptors to provide targeted protection for immunocompromised individuals or those at high risk for severe RSV disease (Source: Frontiers in Immunology, 2021, PMID: 34177933). The therapeutic utility of these TCRs depends on their high affinity for viral antigens and their ability to distinguish between viral peptides and endogenous human proteins to avoid autoimmune complications.

Other names

RSV F-specific TCRRSV fusion protein-specific T-cell receptorRSV F-peptide-MHC-specific TCRRSV F-specific T-cell receptor

Recognition of RSV fusion protein-derived peptides presented by MHC class I or II molecules on the surface of infected cells, triggering T-cell activation, cytokine release, and direct lysis of the target cell.