Adenovirus hexon protein-derived peptides presented on Major Histocompatibility Complex (Adv-hexon-MHC)

Adenovirus hexon protein-derived peptides presented on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) are essential components for the immune system's recognition of adenovirus-infected cells (UniProt: P03277). The hexon protein is the primary structural protein of the adenovirus capsid and contains several highly conserved regions among different adenovirus species (PubMed: 18436634). These conserved sequences are processed into short peptides and presented on the cell surface by MHC molecules, where they are recognized by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of circulating T lymphocytes (PubMed: 15126347). This interaction is the basis for the natural clearance of adenovirus infections and is the primary target for advanced immunotherapies. In the context of therapeutic development, adenovirus-specific T-cell (VST) therapies, such as posoleucel (ALVR106), are engineered or selected to target these specific hexon-MHC complexes to treat life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients (AlloVir; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04354805). By focusing on these conserved epitopes, such therapies can provide broad protection against multiple adenovirus serotypes. Additionally, these peptide-MHC complexes are used as biomarkers in ELISPOT or multimer assays to monitor a patient's functional immune recovery post-transplant (PubMed: 22517900).

Other names

Adenovirus hexon antigenHAdV hexon peptide-MHC complexAdenoviral hexon epitopesHexon-specific HLA-peptide complex

Recognition by T-cell receptors (TCRs) on cytotoxic and helper T cells, leading to the targeted lysis of adenovirus-infected cells and the release of antiviral cytokines.