T-cell receptor recognizing Plasmodium falciparum Pre-Erythrocytic Stage-specific protein-derived peptides (TCR-PfPEBS)

T-cell receptors (TCRs) recognizing peptides derived from the Plasmodium falciparum Pre-Erythrocytic Stage-specific protein (PfPEBS) are critical mediators of the adaptive immune response against malaria. These receptors, typically alpha-beta heterodimers, specifically identify PfPEBS epitopes presented by human Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules on the surface of infected hepatocytes (Brahimi et al., 1993). Upon recognition of the peptide-MHC complex, the TCR triggers a signaling cascade that activates the T cell, leading to the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines like interferon-gamma and the direct lysis of the parasite-infected cells (Hill et al., 1992). This immune recognition is a primary target for vaccine development, where Long Synthetic Peptides (LSPs) are employed to induce and expand these specific T-cell populations to prevent the progression of malaria from the liver to the blood stage. In clinical research, these TCRs are monitored to assess the cellular immunogenicity of malaria vaccines and are being investigated for use in TCR-engineered T-cell therapies. The specificity of these TCRs is highly dependent on the host's MHC genotype, which influences the breadth and effectiveness of the immune response across different populations (Agnandji et al., 2011).

Other names

PfPEBS-specific T-cell receptorTCR recognizing PfPEBS-LSPT-cell receptor recognizing Plasmodium falciparum pre-erythrocytic stage-specific protein

Recognition of PfPEBS-derived peptides presented by human MHC molecules, leading to T-cell activation, cytokine release, and cytotoxic elimination of malaria-infected hepatocytes.