T-cell-receptor-like antibodies - generation, function and applications.
Expert Rev Mol Med
; 14: e6, 2012 Feb 24.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22361332
ABSTRACT
Tumour and virus-infected cells are recognised by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells that, in response, are activated to eliminate these cells. In order to be activated, the clonotypic T-cell receptor (TCR) needs to encounter a specific peptide antigen presented by the membrane surface major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule. Cells that have undergone malignant transformation or viral infection present peptides derived from tumour-associated antigens or viral proteins on their MHC class I molecules. Therefore, disease-specific MHC-peptide complexes are desirable targets for immunotherapeutic approaches. One such approach transforms the unique fine specificity but low intrinsic affinity of TCRs to MHC-peptide complexes into high-affinity soluble antibody molecules endowed with a TCR-like specificity towards tumour or viral epitopes. These antibodies, termed TCR-like antibodies, are being developed as a new class of immunotherapeutics that can target tumour and virus-infected cells and mediate their specific killing. In addition to their therapeutic capabilities, TCR-like antibodies are being developed as diagnostic reagents for cancer and infectious diseases, and serve as valuable research tools for studying MHC class I antigen presentation.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Virus Diseases
/
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
/
Immunotherapy
/
Antigens, Neoplasm
/
Neoplasms
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Expert Rev Mol Med
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
Year:
2012
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Israel