Cytomegalovirus phosphoprotein 65 (pp65)-derived peptides presented on Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I (CMV pp65/MHC-I)

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) phosphoprotein 65 (pp65), encoded by the UL83 gene, is the most abundant tegument protein of the virus and a dominant target of the host's cellular immune response (UniProt P06725). During infection, pp65 is processed into short peptides that are loaded onto Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I molecules and presented on the surface of infected cells (PubMed: 15650014). These peptide-MHC complexes are specifically recognized by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which then eliminate the infected cells to control viral replication (PubMed: 10449495). In clinical practice, this complex is a major target for adoptive T-cell therapies and vaccines, particularly in hematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplant recipients who are at high risk for CMV disease (PubMed: 28811470). Additionally, because pp65 expression has been detected in certain tumors such as glioblastoma multiforme, it is being investigated as a target for cancer immunotherapy (PubMed: 25239237). Therapeutic strategies include the use of CMV-specific T cells and peptide-based vaccines designed to elicit a robust immune response against cells presenting these specific viral antigens.

Other names

HCMV pp65 peptide-HLA complexUL83 peptide-MHC complexCMV pp65 antigenpp65-MHC-I complexHuman cytomegalovirus phosphoprotein 65 antigen

Recognition by specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) on CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, leading to the targeted lysis of cells expressing the viral peptide-MHC complex.