T-cell receptor recognizing SMENP-derived peptide–MHC complexes (TCR-SMENP)

The T-cell receptor (TCR) recognizing SMENP-derived peptide–MHC complexes is a specialized immune receptor that identifies SARS-CoV-2 by binding to viral peptides presented on Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. The acronym SMENP represents five key viral proteins: Spike (S), Membrane (M), Envelope (E), Nucleocapsid (N), and Protease (P). These TCRs are essential for cell-mediated immunity, as their engagement triggers the activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and helper T cells, which work to eliminate infected cells and orchestrate the overall immune defense. In the context of drug development, these TCRs are the primary target of innovative vaccine platforms such as LV-SMENP-DC, a lentiviral-based dendritic cell vaccine. By delivering minigenes encoding the SMENP antigens, these therapies aim to prime and expand the population of T cells equipped with these specific TCRs, potentially offering broad protection against multiple viral variants.

Other names

SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell receptorAnti-SARS-CoV-2 TCRSMENP-specific TCRT-cell receptor recognizing S/M/E/N/P antigens

Antigen presentation and T-cell activation