TCR Signals Controlling Adaptive Immunity against Toxoplasma and Cancer

Abstract

T cells play a crucial role in adaptive immunity by recognizing and eliminating foreign pathogens and abnormal cells such as cancer cells. T cell receptor (TCR), which is expressed on the surface of T cells, recognizes and binds to specific antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on antigen-presenting cells (APCs). This activation process leads to the proliferation and differentiation of T cells, allowing them to carry out their specific immune response functions. This chapter outlines the TCR signaling pathways that are common to different T cell subsets, as well as the recently elucidated TCR signaling pathway specific to CD8⁺ T cells and its role in controlling anti-Toxoplasma and anti-tumor immunity.

Keywords: CD8+ T cells; PLCβ4; TCR signaling; Toxoplasma; Tumor immunity.