Epstein-Barr virus latent antigen peptide-HLA complexes (EBV-pMHC)

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent antigen peptide-HLA complexes are molecular assemblies consisting of short peptides derived from EBV latent proteins (such as EBNA1, LMP1, and LMP2) bound to Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Class I or II molecules. These complexes are presented on the surface of EBV-infected cells, including those in EBV-associated malignancies like nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) (Cohen, J. I., 2000, NEJM). They serve as the primary targets for the adaptive immune system, specifically cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which recognize the pMHC through their T-cell receptors (TCRs) (Taylor et al., 2015, J. Gen. Virol.). In therapeutic contexts, these complexes are targeted by adoptive cell therapies, such as EBV-specific T cells (e.g., tabelecleucel) and TCR-engineered T cells, to selectively eliminate virally infected or transformed cells (Prockop et al., 2020, JCI). Because EBV latent antigens are not expressed in healthy non-infected tissues, these pMHC complexes provide a high degree of tumor specificity, although therapeutic success depends on the patient's HLA type and the stability of antigen presentation (Bollard & Heslop, 2016, Blood).

Other names

EBV peptide-MHC complexesEBV latent antigen-derived pMHCsEBV-HLA complexesEBV-specific pMHCEpstein-Barr virus peptide-major histocompatibility complexes

Recognition of specific viral peptide-HLA complexes by T-cell receptors (TCRs) or TCR-like antibodies, triggering cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) mediated lysis of EBV-positive cells.