Adenovirus peptide–MHC complex (AdV pMHC)

Adenovirus peptide–MHC complexes are composite molecular structures presented on the surface of host cells following infection with human adenovirus. These complexes consist of a short viral peptide, typically derived from highly conserved proteins such as the Hexon or Penton base, non-covalently bound within the peptide-binding groove of a host Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class I molecule (1.3.1, 1.3.2). Their primary biological function is to serve as the ligand for T-cell receptors (TCRs) on CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, thereby initiating an adaptive immune response to eliminate the infected cell (1.4.1, 1.4.3). In clinical practice, these complexes are the primary targets for virus-specific T-cell (VST) therapies, such as posoleucel, which are used to treat life-threatening adenovirus infections in immunocompromised patients, particularly those following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (1.2.1, 1.2.5). Therapeutic strategies include the infusion of donor-derived or off-the-shelf T cells that specifically recognize these pMHC complexes, as well as the development of TCR-engineered T cells and TCR-like antibodies (1.3.2). However, the effectiveness of these therapies can be challenged by viral evasion mechanisms, such as the adenovirus E3-19K protein, which sequesters MHC molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum to prevent their surface presentation (1.1.1, 1.4.2).

Other names

Adenovirus-derived peptide-MHC complexAdV-pMHCAdenovirus pMHCHLA-restricted adenovirus peptide complexAdenovirus peptide-HLA complex

Recognition by T-cell receptors (TCRs) on CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which triggers the release of perforin and granzymes to induce apoptosis in the infected host cell.