Epstein-Barr virus BARF1 protein-derived peptide–HLA complex (BARF1–HLA complex)

The BARF1-derived peptide–HLA complex consists of specific peptide fragments from the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) BARF1 protein presented on the surface of host cells by Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules (PubMed: 11836372). BARF1 is a viral oncogene and a secreted hexameric protein that functions as a decoy receptor for colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1), effectively neutralizing it to suppress the host's innate immune response (UniProt: P03227; PubMed: 12163499). Because BARF1 is selectively expressed in EBV-associated malignancies, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma and certain gastric cancers, these peptide-HLA complexes serve as highly specific tumor-associated antigens (PubMed: 15958518). Therapeutic strategies targeting these complexes include T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T-cell therapies and peptide-based vaccines designed to stimulate a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response against tumor cells (PubMed: 30305451). By focusing on viral-derived antigens, these therapies aim to achieve high precision with minimal impact on healthy, non-infected tissues.

Other names

BARF1-MHC complexEBV BARF1 peptide-HLA complexBamHI-A rightward frame 1 peptide-HLA complexBARF1-derived peptide–HLA class I/II complexes

Recognition of the peptide-HLA complex by T-cell receptors (TCRs) to trigger cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-mediated apoptosis of EBV-infected cells (PubMed: 30305451).