Epstein–Barr virus antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte response

The Epstein–Barr virus antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte response refers to host CD8+ (and, in some contexts, cytotoxic CD4+) T cells that recognize EBV antigens presented by MHC molecules and mediate control of both lytic and latent infection through cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion. In healthy carriers, strong EBV-specific CTL responses, especially against lytic antigens, maintain viral persistence at a benign state and limit viral shedding; latent antigen-specific responses (e.g., to EBNA3 proteins) are also present and are shaped by HLA type. EBV employs multiple immune-evasion strategies (e.g., BNLF2a inhibition of TAP; BGLF5/BILF1 effects; EBV miRNAs reducing TAP1 and HLA II pathways) that diminish antigen presentation and impede CTL recognition, enabling persistence and contributing to disease when surveillance fails. Notably, EBV-specific CD4 T cells can acquire cytotoxic features, and LMP1-driven costimulation can enhance cytotoxic CD4 and CD8 responses, findings that underpin adoptive T-cell therapies for EBV-associated malignancies.

Other names

EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responseEpstein–Barr virus-specific CTL responseEBV-specific CD8+ T-cell responseEBV-specific CD4+ cytotoxic T-cell response