Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) (LMP1)

Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is the primary oncogenic protein of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), functioning as a constitutively active mimic of the CD40 receptor (UniProt P03230). It is essential for the transformation of B-lymphocytes and is expressed in various EBV-associated malignancies, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) (Wikipedia). LMP1 activates multiple signaling pathways such as NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK to promote cell survival, proliferation, and immune evasion (PubMed 22318153). As a therapeutic target, LMP1 is primarily addressed through immunotherapy, where specific peptide epitopes, such as the HLA-A*0201-restricted nonamer YLLEMLWRL, are presented by HLA molecules to be recognized by cytotoxic T cells (PubMed 9521052). While no small-molecule inhibitors are currently approved, T-cell therapies like tabelecleucel and various peptide-based vaccines targeting these epitopes are in clinical development to treat EBV-driven cancers (BioCentury).

Other names

LMP-1BNLF1EBV-LMP1Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 peptide epitopes

Immunotherapy involving the recognition of specific viral peptide epitopes by cytotoxic T lymphocytes, leading to the targeted destruction of EBV-infected cells.