T cell receptor recognizing Mycobacterium tuberculosis peptide-MHC complexes (Mtb-specific TCR)

The T cell receptor (TCR) recognizing MHC–peptide complexes derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) antigens is a specialized immune receptor essential for the adaptive immune defense against tuberculosis. These TCRs, typically composed of alpha and beta chains, specifically bind to Mtb-derived peptides—such as those from the Early Secretory Antigenic Target 6 (ESAT-6) or Culture Filtrate Protein 10 (CFP-10)—when they are presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules on the surface of infected macrophages (PMID: 10417150). This binding event initiates a signaling cascade that activates the T cell, resulting in the production of critical cytokines like interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which are vital for controlling Mtb infection (PMID: 25157163). In therapeutic development, these TCRs are being utilized in TCR-engineered T cell (TCR-T) therapies, where a patient's T cells are modified to express high-affinity TCRs specific for Mtb antigens to combat drug-resistant strains (PMID: 33859077). However, the clinical application of these TCRs faces challenges such as the high diversity of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and the risk of 'off-target' recognition of human self-peptides, which could lead to autoimmune reactions (PMID: 30104365).

Other names

Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific T cell receptorMtb-TCRAntigen-specific T-cell receptorTCR recognizing Mtb antigens

Recognition of specific Mycobacterium tuberculosis-derived peptides (e.g., from ESAT-6 or CFP-10) presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules on the surface of infected cells, which triggers T cell receptor signaling, leading to T cell proliferation, secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IFN-gamma, and direct lysis of infected host cells (PMID: 10417150, PMID: 33859077).