Thyroglobulin peptide-HLA-A*02:01 complex (TG/HLA-A*02:01)

The Thyroglobulin peptide-HLA-A*02:01 complex is a specific molecular target consisting of a peptide fragment derived from the thyroglobulin (TG) protein bound to the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) allele A*02:01. Thyroglobulin is a large glycoprotein produced exclusively by thyroid follicular cells, where it serves as the substrate for thyroid hormone synthesis (UniProt P01266). In the context of thyroid malignancies, such as papillary or follicular thyroid cancer, TG-derived peptides like TG(2098) (sequence: LLDASALGV) are processed and presented on the cell surface via MHC Class I molecules, making them visible to the immune system (Toubert et al., 2004, PMID: 15155838). This complex is a primary focus for the development of T-cell receptor (TCR) based immunotherapies and cancer vaccines, particularly for patients with radioactive iodine-refractory thyroid cancer (Kass et al., 2001, PMID: 11447166). Because TG is a tissue-specific antigen, targeting this complex allows for relatively specific destruction of thyroid-derived cells, although it necessitates monitoring for hypothyroidism and autoimmune-mediated thyroid damage.

Other names

TG peptide-MHC complexThyroglobulin-derived peptide presented by HLA-A*02:01TG-pMHCHLA-A*02:01/TG complex

Recognition of the peptide-MHC complex by specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) on CD8+ T cells, leading to the release of perforins and granzymes and subsequent apoptosis of the target cell.