Epstein-Barr virus peptide–Human leukocyte antigen class I complex (EBV peptide–HLA class I complex) (EBV peptide–HLA class I complex)

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) peptide–Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I complexes are molecular assemblies consisting of viral protein fragments bound within the groove of HLA class I molecules on the surface of infected or transformed cells (Source: UniProt). These complexes serve as the primary recognition signal for CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which identify and eliminate EBV-infected cells through their T-cell receptors (TCRs). In the context of EBV-associated malignancies, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), these complexes present peptides derived from latent viral proteins like LMP1, LMP2, and EBNA1 (Source: PubMed PMID: 25239444). Therapeutic strategies targeting these complexes include adoptive cell therapies using EBV-specific T-cells (e.g., Tabelecleucel) and engineered TCR-T cells, which provide a highly specific immune response against EBV-positive cells (Source: EMA Ebvallo Assessment Report). By specifically targeting viral antigens presented by HLA, these therapies aim to provide precise anti-tumor or anti-viral activity while minimizing damage to healthy non-infected tissues. However, the effectiveness of these treatments is often limited by the specific HLA alleles of the patient and the potential for immune evasion through the downregulation of HLA expression by the tumor (Source: Journal of Hematology & Oncology, PMID: 33407734).

Other names

EBV pHLA complexEBV-specific peptide-MHC class I complexEpstein-Barr virus antigen-HLA complexEBV pMHCHLA-restricted EBV antigen complex

Therapeutic agents, such as EBV-specific T-cells or TCR-engineered cells, recognize specific viral peptides (e.g., from LMP1, LMP2, or EBNA1) presented by HLA class I molecules on the surface of infected cells, triggering targeted apoptosis and elimination of the target cell (Source: Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, PMID: 31554927).