Rotavirus-specific T-cell receptor repertoire (RV TCR repertoire)

The T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire recognizing rotavirus-derived peptides consists of the diverse array of alpha-beta TCRs expressed by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that specifically identify viral antigens presented on MHC class II and I molecules, respectively (Angel et al., 2012, Curr. Opin. Virol.). Rotavirus is a major cause of severe diarrhea in children, and the cellular immune response is critical for both the clearance of the primary infection and the establishment of protective immunity (Nair et al., 2017, J. Virol.). CD8+ T cells typically recognize epitopes from internal viral proteins like VP6 or non-structural proteins presented on MHC I, leading to the lysis of infected intestinal epithelial cells. CD4+ T cells recognize peptides on MHC II, providing necessary signals for B-cell maturation and the production of neutralizing antibodies (Burnett et al., 2020, Cochrane Database Syst Rev.). While this repertoire is not a traditional drug target for small molecules, it is the primary biological system modulated by live-attenuated rotavirus vaccines such as Rotarix and RotaTeq. These vaccines function by mimicking a natural infection to expand the frequency and diversity of rotavirus-specific T-cell clones. Monitoring this repertoire through high-throughput TCR sequencing serves as a sophisticated biomarker for assessing vaccine-induced immunity and understanding the breadth of the immune response across different populations. Challenges in targeting or modulating this repertoire include the high genetic diversity of rotavirus strains and the potential for immune evasion through antigenic drift.

Other names

Rotavirus-specific T-cell receptorsT-cell receptors recognizing rotavirus peptidesRV-specific T-cell repertoireRotavirus-specific TCRs

Vaccines introduce rotavirus antigens that are processed and presented on MHC I and II molecules to stimulate the selection and expansion of specific T-cell clones within the TCR repertoire, establishing immunological memory.