Targeting the pMHC-TCR Interaction: Molecular Strategies and Therapeutic Potential in Autoimmunity

Autoimmune diseases arise from the failure of self-tolerance. The recognition of self-antigen peptide-MHC (pMHC) complexes by the T-cell receptor (TCR) is the fundamental event triggering autoimmune pathogenesis. While traditional immunosuppressants provide broad systemic effects, they often compromise global immunity. Emerging molecular strategies aim to selectively disrupt the trimolecular complex-comprising the TCR, the antigenic peptide, and the MHC molecule-to induce antigen-specific tolerance. This review highlights the pMHC-TCR interaction as the primary molecular checkpoint for antigen-specific intervention. We discuss the structural basis of these interactions and their potential to redefine the therapeutic landscape for autoimmune diseases (ADs). We examine the molecular drivers of tolerance breakdown-including genetic susceptibility, molecular mimicry, post-translational modifications (PTMs), and ectopic MHC II expression-that shape the autoreactive T-cell landscape. This review examines current advancements in biological and pharmacological interventions, such as pMHC-decorated nanoparticles and soluble pMHC, to reprogram pathogenic T-cell response. We also explored CAR-T therapy strategies for autoimmune diseases, such as CAR-Treg, designed to precisely modulate pMHC-TCR signaling. Collectively, these precision interventions in immunological synapse assembly during autoimmune response are considered the basis for safer, antigen-specific immunotherapy capable of restoring self-tolerance without global immunosuppression.