Cytomegalovirus antigen-HLA class I complex (CMV-HLA-I)

The Cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigen-HLA class I complex is a molecular target consisting of viral peptides, such as those derived from the pp65 (UL83) or IE1 (UL123) proteins, presented on the cell surface by Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class I molecules (PubMed: 15905190). This complex serves as the primary recognition site for CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which play a critical role in controlling CMV infection and maintaining viral latency (PubMed: 30635461). In immunocompromised individuals, such as hematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplant recipients, the failure of the host immune system to recognize these complexes leads to viral reactivation and severe clinical complications (NIH: PMC7107424). Therapeutic strategies targeting this complex primarily involve adoptive cell therapies, including virus-specific T cells (VSTs) and TCR-engineered T cells, which are designed to bind the peptide-MHC complex and induce apoptosis in the infected host cell (AlloVir: Posoleucel). These therapies aim to restore cellular immunity and provide a targeted approach to managing refractory CMV infections where traditional antiviral drugs may have failed or caused significant toxicity.

Other names

CMV peptide-MHC complexCMV-specific HLA-peptide complexCMV-infected host cells presenting CMV antigensCytomegalovirus peptide-HLA class I complex

T-cell receptor-mediated recognition and cytotoxic lysis of infected cells