Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 peptide–HLA class I complex (EBNA1-HLA-I complex)

The Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) peptide–HLA class I complex is a critical immunological target found on the surface of cells infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and in EBV-associated malignancies (Source: UniProt P03211). EBNA1 is a DNA-binding protein required for the replication and maintenance of the EBV episome, and it is uniquely expressed across all forms of EBV latency, including Nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Hodgkin lymphoma (Source: PubMed PMID: 25609774). While EBNA1 was historically thought to evade HLA class I presentation due to its Gly-Ala repeat domain, specific peptides are indeed processed and presented to CD8+ T cells (Source: PubMed PMID: 11160736). These complexes serve as highly specific markers for therapeutic intervention using T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered cells or TCR-like antibodies (Source: PubMed PMID: 33093220). By targeting these complexes, therapies aim to selectively destroy malignant or virally infected cells while minimizing damage to healthy, non-infected tissues.

Other names

EBNA1-MHC class I complexEBV EBNA1-HLA complexEBNA1 pMHCEBNA1-HLA-A*02:01 complex

Targeting of EBV-infected or malignant cells through T-cell receptor (TCR) recognition of the specific EBNA1 peptide presented by HLA class I molecules, leading to directed T-cell mediated cytotoxicity and apoptosis.