Adenovirus penton protein-derived peptide-MHC complex (Adv-Penton pMHC)

Adenovirus penton protein-derived peptide-MHC (pMHC) complexes are molecular targets on the surface of adenovirus-infected cells, formed by the association of viral penton base fragments with Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. The penton base is a highly conserved structural protein of the adenovirus capsid and serves as a primary source of immunodominant epitopes for CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) [1, 2]. These pMHC complexes are essential for the adaptive immune system to identify and eliminate virally infected cells through T-cell receptor (TCR) recognition [3]. In clinical practice, these complexes are the primary targets for adoptive immunotherapies, such as virus-specific T-cells (VSTs), which are used to treat life-threatening adenovirus infections in immunocompromised patients, particularly after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation [4]. Drugs and cellular therapies, such as posoleucel, leverage the specificity of TCRs for these penton-derived epitopes to restore viral clearance [5]. Furthermore, synthetic versions of these pMHC complexes, such as MHC tetramers, are utilized as diagnostic tools to monitor the frequency and functional status of adenovirus-specific T cells in patients [2]. Sources: [1] UniProt P03277; [2] PubMed 18451257; [3] PubMed 16484315; [4] PubMed 24531446; [5] Allovir clinical pipeline.

Other names

Adenovirus penton base pMHCAdv penton-MHC complexHLA-restricted adenovirus penton epitopesAdenovirus penton antigen-MHC complex

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated recognition and subsequent cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activation leading to lysis of infected cells.