Cytomegalovirus pp65 antigen (pp65)

Cytomegalovirus pp65 antigen is a major structural phosphoprotein encoded by the UL83 gene of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). It is one of the most immunogenic proteins of HCMV and serves as a dominant target for both CD8+ and CD4+ T cell responses during natural infection. In research and clinical settings, dendritic cells are often pulsed with synthetic peptides or transduced to express full-length pp65 to stimulate and expand CMV-specific T cells ex vivo. These approaches are used in adoptive immunotherapy protocols to restore antiviral immunity in immunocompromised patients, such as those undergoing stem cell transplantation[1][2][3]. The term "Cytomegalovirus pp65 antigen-presenting dendritic cell activation" does not refer to a single molecular target but rather describes an experimental or therapeutic process where dendritic cells present the viral pp65 antigen to activate specific T lymphocytes. Therefore, this entry is not itself a canonical therapeutic target but rather describes an immunological technique or pathway. **Notes on correctness:** The provided name refers to an *immunological process*—the activation of dendritic cells presenting the CMV pp65 antigen—rather than a discrete molecule or receptor that would be considered a standard drug target. The correct molecular entity here is "Cytomegalovirus pp65 antigen" (pp65), which acts as an *antigen*, not as a receptor, enzyme, transporter, etc.[1][2][3]

Other names

HCMV pp65Human cytomegalovirus phosphoprotein 65UL83 protein