Epstein-Barr virus-derived peptide presented by Human Leukocyte Antigen class I (EBV peptide-HLA-I complex)

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-derived peptide presented by Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class I is a molecular complex essential for the immune system's ability to identify and eliminate EBV-infected cells. EBV is a gammaherpesvirus that persists latently in B cells and is linked to several cancers, including post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and certain lymphomas, as well as autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis. HLA class I molecules present short viral peptides, derived from proteins such as EBNA1 or LMP2, on the cell surface for recognition by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes. This interaction is the basis for several immunotherapies, most notably tabelecleucel (Ebvallo), an allogeneic T-cell therapy approved for relapsed or refractory EBV-positive PTLD. Other developments include TCR-engineered T cells and therapeutic vaccines designed to enhance the T-cell response against these specific pMHC complexes. Challenges in targeting this complex include the high polymorphism of HLA alleles and the virus's ability to downregulate HLA expression to evade immune detection.

Other names

EBV-HLA-I complexEBV peptide-MHC class I complexEBV-specific pMHCEpstein-Barr virus antigen-HLA complexEBV-specific T-cell target

Recognition of the peptide-HLA complex by T-cell receptors (TCRs) on CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, leading to targeted cell lysis via perforin and granzyme release.