Adenovirus hexon- or penton-derived peptides presented by HLA class I molecules (AdV-pMHC-I)

Adenovirus hexon- or penton-derived peptides presented by HLA class I molecules are the primary immunological targets for controlling adenovirus (AdV) infections through cellular immunity. The hexon and penton proteins are major structural components of the adenovirus capsid and contain highly conserved epitopes across various serotypes, making them ideal for broad-spectrum immune recognition (Stevanović et al., 2003, Journal of Virology). These proteins are processed by the host cell's proteasome into short peptides that are subsequently loaded onto HLA class I molecules and displayed on the cell surface. This peptide-MHC (pMHC) complex is specifically recognized by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which then execute the destruction of the infected cell (Leen et al., 2006, Blood). In clinical practice, these complexes are targeted by adoptive T-cell therapies, such as posoleucel, to treat life-threatening adenovirus infections in immunocompromised patients, particularly following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Feuchtinger et al., 2004, British Journal of Haematology). The efficacy of these therapies depends on the shared HLA alleles between the donor-derived T cells and the patient's infected tissues, ensuring that the therapeutic T cells can recognize the specific pMHC presented by the host (AlloVir, 2023, Clinical Development). Targeting these specific viral complexes provides a high degree of specificity, minimizing damage to non-infected healthy tissues compared to traditional antiviral medications.

Other names

Adenovirus-specific T-cell epitopesAdV hexon/penton-HLA complexAdenovirus pMHC class IAdV-CTL targetsAdenovirus hexon- or penton-derived peptides presented by patient/donor-shared HLA class I molecules

Recognition of the viral peptide-HLA complex by the T-cell receptor (TCR) of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, triggering the release of perforins and granzymes to induce apoptosis in the infected host cell.