T cell receptor recognizing house dust mite-derived peptide-MHC class II complexes (TCR-HDM-pMHCII)

T cell receptors (TCRs) recognizing house dust mite (HDM)-derived peptide-MHC class II complexes are critical mediators of the allergic immune response (Source: Wambre et al., Sci Transl Med, 2017). These receptors, primarily found on CD4+ helper T cells, specifically bind to allergenic peptides from HDM species like Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (e.g., Der p 1, Der p 2) when presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells (Source: NCBI, Gene ID: 6955 for TCR alpha/beta). This interaction initiates a signaling cascade that typically leads to a Th2-biased response, characterized by the production of IgE and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, which drive the symptoms of allergic asthma and rhinitis (Source: Akdis et al., Nat Rev Drug Discov, 2011). Therapeutic strategies targeting these TCR-pMHCII interactions include allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) and peptide-based vaccines, which aim to shift the immune response toward tolerance or a Th1/Treg profile (Source: Larche, Nat Rev Immunol, 2007). Monitoring these specific T cell populations using MHC II tetramers provides a precise biomarker for assessing the efficacy of desensitization treatments (Source: Science Translational Medicine, 2017).

Other names

House dust mite-specific T cell receptorHDM-specific TCRDer p-specific TCRAllergen-specific T cell receptorTCR-HDM-pMHCII

Induction of immune tolerance through T cell anergy, deletion, or the promotion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) that suppress Th2-mediated allergic inflammation (Source: Akdis, J Allergy Clin Immunol, 2012).