T cell receptor of cytomegalovirus-specific CD8+ T cell (TCR of CMV-specific CD8+ T cell)

The T cell receptor (TCR) of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific CD8+ T cells is a heterodimeric protein complex expressed on the surface of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+ T cells) that specifically recognizes CMV-derived peptide antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) on infected cells[4][5][6]. Each TCR is somatically rearranged, resulting in a highly diverse repertoire that enables recognition of specific CMV epitopes; clonotypes with certain complementarity-determining region (CDR) motifs dominate the response to CMV in infected or post-transplant individuals. CMV-specific CD8+ T cells are critical for immune control of CMV infection, especially in immunocompromised states, and their functional status serves as a key biomarker for immune competence and disease risk[1][4]. Manipulation of these TCRs—by adoptive transfer of CMV-specific T cells, or by engineering T cells to express identified CMV-reactive TCRs—is under investigation for treatment or prevention of CMV disease in high-risk patients[4][1].

Other names

TCR of CMV-specific CD8+ T cellsCMV-specific TCRcytomegalovirus-specific TCRTCR (CD8+ T cell, CMV-specific)TCRαβ (CMV-CTL)T cell receptor

Drug or cellular products may act by transferring T cells with CMV-specific TCRs to restore antiviral immunity in immunocompromised patients, such as those post-transplantation[1][4].