Epstein-Barr virus and Cytomegalovirus antigen-expressing cells (EBV/CMV+ cells)

EBV- and CMV-antigen-expressing cells are host cells infected by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or Cytomegalovirus (CMV) that present viral proteins, such as EBNA1 or pp65, on their surface via Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules (Papadopoulou et al., 2014, Sci Transl Med). These cells are the focal point of pathology in immunocompromised patients, leading to conditions like post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) and CMV-induced pneumonia or retinitis (Prockop et al., 2020, J Clin Invest). In therapeutic contexts, these cells are targeted by adoptive cell therapies, specifically virus-specific T cells (VSTs), which are engineered or selected to recognize and lyse cells displaying these specific viral epitopes (Allovir, 2023, Corporate Website). Drugs like Tabelecleucel (Ebvallo) specifically target EBV-antigen-expressing cells to treat PTLD by utilizing allogeneic T cells that recognize EBV-infected B cells (Haque et al., 2007, Blood). Similarly, multi-virus therapies like Posoleucel target cells expressing antigens from both EBV and CMV to provide broad antiviral protection (Tzannou et al., 2017, J Clin Oncol). The elimination of these cells is monitored through viral load reduction in the blood, which serves as a key biomarker for therapeutic efficacy (NCT04354311, ClinicalTrials.gov).

Other names

EBV-infected cellsCMV-infected cellsEBV-positive cellsCMV-positive cellsVirus-infected cells

Adoptive T-cell therapy involving the recognition of viral antigens presented on MHC molecules, leading to the targeted lysis of infected cells.