BK polyomavirus large T antigen peptide-HLA class I complex (BKV LTAg-pHLA-I)

The BK polyomavirus large T antigen (LTAg) is a regulatory protein crucial for the viral life cycle, facilitating DNA replication and orchestrating the host cell environment (PMID: 24944290). In the context of immunotherapy, specific peptide fragments derived from LTAg are presented on the surface of infected or transformed cells by patient-specific Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class I molecules. These peptide-HLA (pHLA) complexes are the fundamental units recognized by the cellular immune system, specifically CD8+ T cells (PMID: 25143484). Targeting these complexes is a primary strategy for treating BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) and hemorrhagic cystitis in immunocompromised transplant recipients. Therapeutic interventions often involve the infusion of virus-specific T cells, such as Posoleucel, or the development of TCR-based biologics designed to bind these specific pHLA targets and eliminate infected cells (PMID: 33003033).

Other names

BKV LTAg-derived peptidesBK virus large T antigen HLA-I complexBKV LTAg/MHC-I complexBKV large T-antigen

Recognition of the peptide-HLA complex by specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) on CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, triggering the release of perforins and granzymes to induce apoptosis in BKV-infected cells (PMID: 30108138).