Cytomegalovirus 65 kDa phosphoprotein (pp65) peptide-HLA class I complex (CMV pp65-HLA-I)

The Cytomegalovirus 65 kDa phosphoprotein (pp65) peptide-HLA class I complex is a critical immunological target formed when the immunodominant pp65 tegument protein (encoded by the UL83 gene) of Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is processed and presented on the surface of infected cells by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I molecules [3, 6]. As the most abundant protein in the CMV tegument, pp65 is the primary target for the host's cellular immune response, eliciting a robust CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response in 70-90% of seropositive individuals [6, 8]. The complex, particularly when involving the HLA-A*02:01-restricted NLVPMVATV peptide, serves as a focal point for developing advanced immunotherapies such as TCR-engineered T cells (TCR-T), TCR-like antibodies, and subunit vaccines [11, 18, 22]. These therapeutic strategies are especially vital for immunocompromised patients, such as hematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplant recipients, who are at high risk for severe CMV-related complications like pneumonitis and retinitis [4, 15, 17]. By targeting this specific peptide-MHC complex, drugs and cellular therapies can selectively eliminate CMV-infected cells while bypassing the virus's natural immune evasion mechanisms [11, 12].

Other names

CMV pp65-MHC class I complexpp65-HLA-A*02:01 complexUL83 peptide-HLA complexpCMV-pp65/HLA-A2NLVPMVATV-HLA-A*02:01 complexpp65-pHLA complex

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated cytotoxicity, Antigen-specific immune stimulation, Targeted cell lysis via TCR-like antibodies, Activation of CD8+ T cells