Adenovirus hexon protein peptide-HLA complex (Adv-Hexon-HLA complex)

The Adenovirus hexon protein peptide-HLA complex is a molecular assembly consisting of a short peptide fragment derived from the adenovirus hexon protein—the major structural component of the viral capsid—bound within the groove of a Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecule. These complexes are displayed on the surface of infected cells or professional antigen-presenting cells, serving as the primary signal for the adaptive immune system to identify viral presence (UniProt: P04133). Recognition of these specific complexes by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) is essential for the clearance of adenovirus infections, particularly in the context of the highly conserved regions of the hexon protein that are shared across multiple serotypes (PubMed: 18347020). In clinical practice, these complexes are the fundamental targets for adoptive cellular therapies, such as viral-specific T-cells (VSTs) and TCR-engineered T cells, which are used to treat life-threatening adenovirus infections in immunocompromised patients, such as those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) (PubMed: 21148304). Therapeutic development often focuses on identifying immunodominant hexon epitopes, such as the TDLGQNLLY peptide presented by HLA-A*01, to ensure broad efficacy against various adenovirus strains (PubMed: 15213203).

Other names

Adenovirus hexon antigen-MHC complexHAdV hexon peptide-HLAAdenovirus capsid protein II peptide-HLA complexHexon-derived epitope-HLA complex

Recognition of the peptide-HLA complex by specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) on CD8+ or CD4+ T cells, triggering the release of perforins and granzymes to induce apoptosis in adenovirus-infected cells (PubMed: 15213203, 21148304).