Transforming growth factor-beta-derived peptide-specific CD8+ T cell (TGF-beta-specific CD8+ T cell) (TGF-beta-specific CD8+ T cell)

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)-derived peptide-specific CD8+ T cells are a specialized population of cytotoxic T lymphocytes that recognize and eliminate cells expressing the immunosuppressive cytokine TGF-beta (Martinenaite et al., 2020, OncoImmunology). TGF-beta is a key mediator of immune evasion in the tumor microenvironment, where it inhibits the activity of effector T cells and promotes the recruitment of regulatory immune cells (Batlle & Massagué, 2019, Immunity). These specific CD8+ T cells identify TGF-beta-derived peptides presented on the surface of target cells via Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I molecules (IO Biotech, Pipeline). By lysing TGF-beta-producing cells, such as tumor cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs), these effectors help to alleviate local immunosuppression and enhance the overall anti-tumor immune response. Therapeutic strategies, such as the IO130 vaccine, are currently in clinical development to induce and expand this T cell population in patients with advanced solid tumors (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05114824).

Other names

TGF-beta-specific CTLTGF-beta-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyteAnti-TGF-beta T cell

These T cells recognize TGF-beta-derived peptides presented on MHC class I molecules, leading to the direct lysis of TGF-beta-expressing cells, including tumor cells and immunosuppressive regulatory cells (Martinenaite et al., 2020, OncoImmunology).