Cytomegalovirus immediate-early protein 1-derived peptides presented on human leukocyte antigen class I (CMV IE-1/HLA-I)

The Cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate-early protein 1 (IE-1)-derived peptides presented on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules represent a critical target for cellular immunotherapy (PubMed: 26124448). IE-1, encoded by the UL123 gene, is one of the first proteins expressed during the lytic cycle of CMV infection and plays a pivotal role in viral replication and the subversion of host immune responses (UniProt: P06473). These peptides are processed and displayed on the surface of infected cells, where they are recognized by CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) (PubMed: 15976048). In clinical settings, this target is particularly relevant for managing CMV reactivation in immunocompromised patients, such as hematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplant recipients (PubMed: 30305378). Furthermore, because CMV sequences have been detected in certain malignancies like glioblastoma, IE-1/HLA complexes are being explored as tumor-associated antigens for cancer vaccines and TCR-engineered T-cell therapies (PubMed: 24130122). Therapeutic strategies include the administration of ex vivo expanded CMV-specific T-cells, such as Posoleucel, and the development of viral-vectored vaccines like Triplex that induce robust IE-1-specific immune memory (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02506933).

Other names

HCMV IE1 peptide-MHC complexUL123-derived peptidesCMV IE1-specific T-cell epitopesIE1-HLA complexCMV IE1-derived HLA-restricted antigens

Recognition of the peptide-MHC complex by endogenous or engineered T-cell receptors (TCRs) to trigger cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) mediated destruction of infected or malignant cells.