Epstein-Barr virus peptide-Major Histocompatibility Complex (EBV pMHC) (EBV pMHC)

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) peptide antigens presented on Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules are the primary molecular targets for the cellular immune response against EBV-infected cells. These complexes consist of short viral peptide fragments, derived from proteins such as EBNA1, LMP1, and LMP2, which are loaded onto MHC class I or II molecules and displayed on the cell surface (Taylor et al., 2015, PubMed). Recognition of these pMHC complexes by specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) on cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) is crucial for controlling latent EBV infection and preventing the development of EBV-associated malignancies (Hislop et al., 2007, Nature Reviews Immunology). In clinical settings, these complexes serve as the basis for immunotherapies like tabelecleucel, an allogeneic T-cell therapy approved for EBV-positive post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (Prockop et al., 2020, JCI). Furthermore, targeting these pMHC complexes is a key strategy in the development of TCR-engineered T-cells and therapeutic vaccines aimed at treating EBV-driven cancers such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Hodgkin lymphoma (Lin et al., 2018, Cancer Research). Recent research has also highlighted the importance of these targets in the context of autoimmune diseases, specifically multiple sclerosis, where EBV-specific immune responses may play a pathogenic role (Bjornevik et al., 2022, Science).

Other names

EBV-HLA complexEpstein-Barr virus antigen-MHC complexEBV-derived epitopesEBV peptide-HLA complexEBV pMHC

Recognition by T-cell receptors (TCRs) or TCR-like antibodies, leading to T-cell mediated lysis of infected or malignant cells and cytokine production.