T-cell adhesion receptor

T-cell adhesion receptors are a functional class of cell surface proteins that facilitate the physical attachment of T lymphocytes to other cells or the extracellular matrix [8, 10]. This group includes several distinct families, most notably integrins (such as LFA-1 and VLA-4), members of the immunoglobulin superfamily (such as CD2 and ICAMs), and selectins [8, 9, 10]. These receptors are critical for the formation of the immunological synapse, where they stabilize the interaction between the T-cell receptor and the peptide-MHC complex on antigen-presenting cells, thereby lowering the threshold for T-cell activation [10, 13]. Beyond activation, they play a pivotal role in the homing and extravasation of T cells from the bloodstream into specific tissues by binding to ligands on the vascular endothelium [9, 15]. In many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease, these receptors are overactive or mediate the recruitment of pathogenic T cells to target organs [4, 6]. Therapeutic strategies often involve monoclonal antibodies or small molecules that block these receptors to prevent tissue damage, with examples including natalizumab for multiple sclerosis and lifitegrast for dry eye disease [4, 15].

Other names

T-cell adhesion moleculesT-lymphocyte adhesion receptorsLymphocyte adhesion moleculesT-cell adhesion proteins

Drugs targeting T-cell adhesion receptors primarily act by blocking the interaction between the receptor and its ligand (e.g., ICAM-1, VCAM-1, or MAdCAM-1), thereby preventing T-cell recruitment to inflamed tissues, inhibiting the formation of the immunological synapse, and modulating T-cell activation and signaling [13, 15].