T-cell surface glycoprotein CD1b and CD1c (CD1b/CD1c)

CD1b and CD1c are members of the CD1 family of transmembrane glycoproteins, which are structurally related to MHC class I molecules but specialized in presenting lipid, glycolipid, and lipopeptide antigens to T cells [UniProt: P29016, P29017]. Unlike MHC molecules that present peptides, CD1b and CD1c possess deep hydrophobic pockets that accommodate the long hydrocarbon chains of lipids derived from pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis or from endogenous cellular processes [PubMed: 17210732]. CD1b is particularly noted for its ability to present large, complex lipids such as mycolic acids, while CD1c presents a broader range of lipids including phosphoglycolipids and lipopeptides [PubMed: 25172498]. These molecules play a crucial role in the early immune response to infectious diseases and are being investigated as targets for novel vaccines and T-cell-based immunotherapies [PubMed: 21248752]. In cancer, CD1-restricted T cells can recognize tumor-associated lipids, offering a potential avenue for universal, non-MHC-restricted cellular therapies [PubMed: 30305465]. Therapeutic strategies often involve the use of synthetic lipid analogs to modulate immune activity or the development of TCR-like antibodies to target cells presenting specific lipid-CD1 complexes.

Other names

CD1bCD1cR1R7Group 1 CD1Cluster of differentiation 1bCluster of differentiation 1c

Lipid antigens bind to the hydrophobic pockets of CD1b or CD1c molecules, forming a complex that is recognized by specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) to initiate an immune response.