T cell receptor recognizing Quercus nigra pollen-derived peptides presented by MHC (TCR)

The T cell receptor (TCR) recognizing Quercus nigra (Water Oak) pollen-derived peptides presented by MHC is a critical mediator of allergic sensitization and symptomatic disease (PubMed: 31254321). This TCR complex, typically found on CD4+ T helper cells, specifically binds to allergenic peptides, such as those from the major allergen Que n 1, when they are displayed by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells (UniProt: P80847). Upon binding, the TCR triggers a signaling cascade that leads to the activation and proliferation of Th2 cells, which drive the production of allergen-specific IgE and the recruitment of inflammatory cells like eosinophils and mast cells (StatPearls: Type I Hypersensitivity). In the context of disease, this interaction is responsible for the inflammatory response seen in allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma during the oak pollination season (NIH: Pollen Allergies). Therapeutic strategies targeting this TCR interaction primarily involve allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), which aims to induce immune tolerance by shifting the T cell response from a pro-inflammatory Th2 profile to a regulatory or Th1-weighted profile (PubMed: 28214150). Monitoring the activity and frequency of these specific T cell populations is essential for evaluating the efficacy of desensitization treatments. Safety concerns for therapies hitting this target include the risk of systemic allergic reactions or anaphylaxis during the administration of the allergen.

Other names

Water oak pollen-specific T cell receptorQue n 1-specific T cell receptorQuercus nigra allergen-specific TCROak pollen-specific T cell receptor

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) targets this TCR-MHC interaction by providing controlled exposure to the allergen, which induces T cell anergy, deletion, or a shift toward a regulatory T cell (Treg) phenotype, thereby reducing the Th2-driven allergic response (PubMed: 28214150).