Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 2-derived peptide–major histocompatibility complex class I complex (EBV LMP2-pMHC)

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 2 (LMP2)-derived peptide–MHC class I complexes are molecular targets found on the surface of cells latently infected with EBV and in EBV-associated malignancies. These complexes consist of specific viral peptide fragments, such as the HLA-A*02:01-restricted 'CLGGLLTMV' epitope, presented within the groove of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I molecules (Citations: 1, 2). LMP2 is a transmembrane protein essential for maintaining viral latency and is consistently expressed in various cancers, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Hodgkin lymphoma, making it an ideal tumor-associated viral antigen (Citations: 3, 4). Because these complexes are absent from healthy non-infected tissues, they serve as highly specific anchors for immunotherapeutic interventions. Current drug development focuses on engineered T-cell receptor (TCR-T) therapies and bispecific molecules that redirect the host's immune system to recognize and eliminate cells displaying these specific pMHC signatures (Citations: 5, 6). Sources: 1. PubMed (PMID: 15141005); 2. UniProt (P13285); 3. Journal of Hematology & Oncology (2021, 14:107); 4. Frontiers in Immunology (2020, 11:586371); 5. Lion TCR Pipeline; 6. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03644888).

Other names

EBV LMP2 peptide-HLA complexLMP2-HLA-A*02:01 complexLMP2-HLA-A*11:01 complexEpstein-Barr virus LMP2 antigen-MHC complexLMP2-pMHC

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated recognition leading to cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activation and lysis of EBV-infected or malignant cells.