T cell receptor specific for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg-specific TCR)

The T cell receptor (TCR) specific for the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a specialized protein complex that enables T cells to recognize and respond to cells infected with the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). In chronic HBV infection, the endogenous HBsAg-specific T cell response is often exhausted or deleted, which prevents the clearance of the virus and increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (Boni et al., 2007, Journal of Virology). Therapeutic strategies like TCR-engineered T cell (TCR-T) therapy involve modifying a patient's T cells to express high-affinity TCRs that target HBsAg peptides presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules (Tan et al., 2019, Journal of Clinical Investigation). These engineered CD4+ and CD8+ T cells can then specifically identify and eliminate hepatocytes harboring HBV or HCC cells that express HBsAg (Zhang et al., 2022, Frontiers in Immunology). Clinical candidates such as SCG101 are designed to leverage this mechanism to achieve a functional cure by significantly reducing the viral load and HBsAg levels (SCG Cell Therapy, 2023). However, the use of these therapies carries risks, including severe liver inflammation due to the rapid destruction of infected hepatocytes and potential cytokine release syndrome (Luo et al., 2023, Molecular Therapy).

Other names

Hepatitis B surface antigen-specific T cell receptorHBsAg-TCRHBV-specific T cell receptorT cell receptor on HBsAg-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells

Adoptive transfer of T cells engineered with TCRs that recognize HBsAg peptides presented by MHC molecules, inducing targeted lysis of HBV-infected or HBsAg-expressing cells.