65 kDa phosphoprotein (pp65) (pp65)

The 65 kDa phosphoprotein (pp65), encoded by the UL83 gene, is the most abundant tegument protein of Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and a key factor in viral pathogenesis [1, 3]. It primarily functions as an immune modulator by inhibiting host innate immune pathways, specifically preventing the activation and nuclear translocation of Interferon Response Factor 3 (IRF3) and inactivating the DNA sensor cGAS [2, 22]. While dispensable for viral replication in fibroblasts, pp65 is essential for efficient growth in macrophages and plays a structural role in virion morphogenesis as a scaffold protein [1, 25]. Clinically, pp65 is an immunodominant antigen, serving as the basis for the "pp65 antigenemia assay" used to monitor viral load and guide preemptive therapy in transplant recipients [7, 14]. Due to its high immunogenicity, it is a primary target for the development of CMV vaccines and adoptive T-cell therapies [5, 12, 17]. Furthermore, its expression in various malignancies, such as glioblastoma, has positioned it as a prominent target for experimental cancer immunotherapies [16, 27].

Other names

UL83Phosphoprotein 65Tegument protein UL8365 kDa matrix phosphoproteinppUL83Phosphoprotein UL83

Induction of antigen-specific T-cell mediated immunity and direct recognition/lysis of HCMV-infected cells by adoptive or vaccine-induced T-cells.