Epstein-Barr virus BZLF1-derived peptide-MHC complex (EBV BZLF1 pMHC)

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) BZLF1-derived peptide-MHC complex is a molecular target comprising short peptide fragments of the BZLF1 protein presented on the cell surface by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. BZLF1, also known as Zta or ZEBRA, is an immediate-early viral protein that functions as a transcription factor and acts as the primary switch for EBV lytic reactivation from its latent state (UniProt: P03206). Because BZLF1 is expressed at the very onset of the lytic cycle, its peptides are among the first viral antigens presented to the host immune system, making them highly immunodominant targets for CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (PubMed: 7533861). In clinical applications, this complex is targeted to treat EBV-associated diseases, including post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) and various lymphomas, using adoptive cell therapies like Tabelecleucel or experimental TCR-T cell products (PubMed: 36037335). Therapeutic efficacy is often dependent on the patient's HLA genotype, as specific peptides like RAKFKQLL are exclusively presented by certain alleles such as HLA-B*08:01. Targeting this complex allows for the selective destruction of cells undergoing active viral replication or those in which lytic induction therapy has been applied.

Other names

BZLF1-HLA complexZta-derived peptide-MHCZEBRA-derived peptide-MHCEBV lytic antigen peptide-MHCRAKFKQLL-HLA-B8 complex

Targeting of EBV-infected cells via T-cell receptor (TCR) recognition of the peptide-MHC complex, leading to cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) mediated lysis of the target cell.