BK polyomavirus VP3 peptide–Major Histocompatibility Complex (BKV VP3-MHC)

BK polyomavirus (BKV) VP3 peptide–Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) complexes are molecular assemblies consisting of a peptide fragment derived from the BKV minor capsid protein VP3 bound to an MHC molecule (UniProt P03091). These complexes are displayed on the surface of BKV-infected cells, serving as the primary recognition signal for the host's cellular immune system, specifically CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (Hirsch and Hirsch, 2019, BK Polyomavirus-Associated Nephropathy). In immunocompromised individuals, such as kidney or hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, BKV can reactivate, leading to severe complications like BKV-associated nephropathy or hemorrhagic cystitis (Rao et al., 2023, BK Virus: A Review). Therapeutic strategies targeting these complexes involve adoptive T-cell therapy, where BKV-specific T cells are infused into patients to recognize and eliminate infected cells (Keller et al., 2017, Viral-specific T-cell therapy). The specificity of this interaction is determined by the T-cell receptor's (TCR) ability to bind the unique peptide-MHC configuration, making these complexes critical targets for precision immunotherapy (Lamarche et al., 2022, Characterization of BK Virus-Specific T Cells). Monitoring these complexes and the corresponding T-cell response is essential for managing viral reactivation in transplant medicine.

Other names

BKV VP3-HLA complexBK virus VP3 peptide-MHCBKV VP3 pMHCBK virus VP3 antigen complex

Recognition by antigen-specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) on cytotoxic T lymphocytes, triggering the release of perforin and granzymes to induce apoptosis in infected cells.