Epstein-Barr virus Latent Membrane Protein 1 (LMP1) peptide YLLEMLWRL presented by HLA-A*02:01 (LMP1-YLLEMLWRL-HLA-A2)

The target is a specific peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) consisting of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) Latent Membrane Protein 1 (LMP1) derived peptide YLLEMLWRL (residues 125-133) bound to the HLA-A*02:01 molecule. LMP1 is a primary oncogene of EBV that mimics CD40 signaling to promote cell survival and proliferation, playing a critical role in the pathogenesis of EBV-associated malignancies such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Hodgkin lymphoma (PMID: 25407475). Because LMP1 is expressed during viral latency and its processed peptides are presented via the MHC class I pathway, the YLLEMLWRL-HLA-A2 complex serves as a highly specific target for immunotherapy (PMID: 15163938). Therapeutic strategies include the use of engineered T-cell receptor (TCR) T-cells and TCR-like antibodies designed to recognize this specific pMHC with high affinity (PMID: 31534004). These therapies aim to bypass the immune evasion mechanisms of EBV-positive tumors by providing a robust, directed cytotoxic T-cell response against cells presenting the viral epitope. Clinical development focuses on patients who are HLA-A2 positive and harbor EBV-driven cancers, utilizing the viral origin of the peptide to minimize off-target effects on healthy non-infected tissues.

Other names

HLA-A*02:01/LMP1(125-133)YLLEMLWRL-HLA-A2 complexEBV LMP1 epitope YLLEMLWRLLMP1-A2 pMHC

Targeting of the peptide-MHC complex by engineered T-cell receptors (TCRs) or TCR-like antibodies to induce T-cell mediated lysis of EBV-infected or malignant cells.