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

The Cytomegalovirus (CMV) phosphoprotein 65 (pp65)-derived peptide-HLA class I complex is a primary immunological target for the treatment and prevention of CMV-related diseases in immunocompromised patients, such as those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplantation (PubMed: 15604466). The pp65 protein, encoded by the UL83 gene, is a major tegument protein and the most immunodominant antigen of CMV, making it a key focus for the host's cellular immune response (UniProt: P06725). In infected cells, pp65 is processed into short peptides that are presented on the cell surface by Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class I molecules, most notably the NLVPMVATV peptide presented by HLA-A*02:01 (PubMed: 28923900). These peptide-MHC (pMHC) complexes are specifically recognized by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which then execute the targeted lysis of the infected cell. Therapeutic interventions leveraging this target include adoptive T-cell therapies (ATC) and TCR-engineered T cells (TCR-T), which aim to provide or bolster the patient's immune defense against the virus. Monitoring the presence of these complexes and the corresponding T-cell response is vital for managing post-transplant CMV reactivation and ensuring therapeutic efficacy.

Other names

CMV pp65 peptide-MHC complexUL83-derived peptide-HLA complexpp65-HLA-A*02:01 complexCMV pp65 antigen-HLA complexNLVPMVATV-HLA-A*02:01 complex

Recognition by T-cell receptors (TCRs) on CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, leading to the activation of immune-mediated lysis of infected cells.