T-cell receptor recognizing Mycobacterium tuberculosis Antigen 85A peptides (TCR-Ag85A)

The T-cell receptor (TCR) recognizing Mycobacterium tuberculosis Antigen 85A (Ag85A) peptides is a critical component of the host adaptive immune response against tuberculosis (PubMed: 15542758). Ag85A is a highly conserved mycolyltransferase secreted by M. tuberculosis that plays a vital role in cell wall synthesis and is one of the most immunogenic proteins of the bacterium (UniProt: P9WQP3). When Ag85A-derived peptides are processed and presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules on the surface of infected cells, they are recognized by specific TCRs on CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells (PubMed: 8034168). This recognition event triggers T-cell activation, leading to the production of protective cytokines like interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), which enhance the microbicidal activity of macrophages (PubMed: 16178373). Because of its strong immunogenicity, the interaction between Ag85A peptides and host TCRs has been a primary focus for the development of new tuberculosis vaccines, such as MVA85A and AERAS-402 (PubMed: 23395338). Therapeutic strategies aim to prime or boost these specific T-cell populations to provide long-lasting immunity and better protection than the traditional BCG vaccine.

Other names

Ag85A-specific T-cell receptorAntigen 85A-specific TCRT-cell receptor recognizing Ag85A-derived peptidesHost TCR recognizing Ag85A

Activation of the T-cell receptor through binding of the Ag85A peptide-MHC complex, triggering intracellular signaling cascades that lead to T-cell proliferation and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) to control Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.