Epstein-Barr virus BZLF-1 and EBNA-1 peptide–MHC complexes (EBV BZLF-1/EBNA-1 pMHC)

The target consists of peptide fragments derived from the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) proteins BZLF-1 and EBNA-1, presented on the surface of infected cells by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. BZLF-1 is an immediate-early lytic protein that triggers the viral replication cycle, while EBNA-1 is a latent nuclear antigen essential for viral genome maintenance and is expressed in all EBV-associated malignancies. These peptide-MHC (pMHC) complexes serve as the primary ligands for EBV-specific T-cell receptors (TCRs), making them critical targets for cellular immunotherapies. Drugs targeting these complexes, such as allogeneic EBV-specific T-cell therapies (e.g., tabelecleucel and ATA188), utilize donor-derived T cells to recognize and eliminate EBV-infected cells in patients with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) or multiple sclerosis. The therapeutic strategy aims to restore the host's immune surveillance against the virus, which is often compromised in immunocompromised or autoimmune states.

Other names

EBV BZLF1/EBNA1 pMHCEBV-specific T-cell ligandsZta/EBNA1-MHC complexesEpstein-Barr virus lytic and latent antigen-MHC complexes

Adoptive T-cell therapy (T-cell mediated cytotoxicity)