BK polyomavirus VP2 peptide–MHC complexes (BKV VP2 pMHC)

BK polyomavirus VP2 peptide–MHC complexes are molecular assemblies consisting of peptides derived from the minor capsid protein VP2 of the BK polyomavirus (BKV) bound to Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules on the surface of infected cells. These complexes serve as the primary recognition targets for the cellular immune system, specifically for CD8+ and CD4+ T cells (PMID: 33234491). In immunocompromised patients, such as kidney or hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, BKV can reactivate from latency in the renal tubular cells, leading to severe complications like polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (PVAN) or hemorrhagic cystitis (PMID: 31960795). Therapeutic strategies targeting these complexes include adoptive T-cell therapy, where BKV-specific T cells are expanded ex vivo using peptide pools and infused into patients to restore viral control (NCT02532452). The recognition of these pMHC complexes by T-cell receptors (TCRs) triggers a cytotoxic response that eliminates infected cells and reduces viral load, offering a potential alternative to the reduction of immunosuppression which carries a high risk of graft rejection (PMID: 38993764).

Other names

BKPyV VP2 peptide-HLA complexesBKV minor capsid protein VP2 peptide-MHCBK virus VP2 pMHCBKV VP2 antigen-MHC complexes

T-cell mediated cytotoxicity through recognition of viral peptides presented on MHC molecules by T-cell receptors (TCRs).