Epstein-Barr virus latency antigen-derived peptide-MHC class I complex (EBV latency pMHC-I)

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latency antigen-derived peptide-MHC class I complexes are molecular targets formed when viral proteins produced during latent infection—such as EBNA1, EBNA3 proteins, LMP1, and LMP2—are processed into short peptides and presented on the cell surface by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I molecules (Taylor et al., 2015, PMID: 25733557). These complexes are essential for the recognition and elimination of EBV-infected cells by CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which identify the specific viral peptide within the HLA binding groove (Long et al., 2011, PMID: 21148615). In the context of EBV-associated malignancies like Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Hodgkin Lymphoma, and Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD), these pMHC complexes serve as highly specific neoantigens for immunotherapy (Bollard & Heslop, 2016, PMID: 27167065). Therapeutic strategies targeting these complexes include adoptive transfer of EBV-specific T cells (e.g., Tabelecleucel) and the development of TCR-engineered T cells or bispecific T-cell engagers (Prock et al., 2023, PMID: 37451234). A significant challenge in targeting these complexes is the requirement for HLA matching between the therapy and the patient, as well as potential viral mechanisms for MHC downregulation to evade immune detection (Ressing et al., 2015, PMID: 25607443).

Other names

EBV latency antigen-derived peptides presented on HLA class IEBV pMHCEBV-specific T-cell targetsEBNA/LMP peptide-HLA complexes

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated recognition of peptide-MHC complexes leading to cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activation and lysis of EBV-positive cells.