65 kDa lower matrix phosphoprotein (pp65) (pp65)

The 65 kDa lower matrix phosphoprotein, commonly known as pp65 or tegument protein UL83, is the most abundant structural protein of the Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) tegument. It plays a critical role in the early stages of viral infection by modulating the host's innate immune response, specifically by inhibiting the induction of interferon-stimulated genes and blocking natural killer cell activation [1][3]. pp65 is highly immunodominant, making it the primary target for the host's cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response during natural infection [2]. In clinical settings, the detection of pp65 within white blood cells, known as the pp65 antigenemia assay, is a gold-standard diagnostic tool for identifying active CMV replication in immunocompromised patients [5]. From a therapeutic perspective, pp65 is a major focus for vaccine development and adoptive immunotherapy, where CMV-specific T cells are expanded ex vivo to restore immunity in transplant recipients [4]. Emerging research also investigates the presence of pp65 in certain malignancies, such as glioblastoma, as a potential target for tumor-directed immunotherapy [6]. Citations: [1] UniProt (P06725); [2] PubMed (PMID: 10823859); [3] PubMed (PMID: 24478440); [4] ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03394781); [5] PubMed (PMID: 15103403); [6] PubMed (PMID: 23143591).

Other names

Tegument protein UL8365 kDa matrix phosphoproteinUL83CMV pp65Lower matrix protein

Targeting as an immunodominant antigen for vaccine-induced or adoptive T-cell mediated cytotoxicity against HCMV-infected cells.