HIV-1 Gag peptide-MHC complex (HIV-1 Gag pMHC)

HIV-1 Gag-derived peptide antigens presented on MHC molecules are essential targets for the adaptive immune system's recognition of HIV-infected cells [2]. The Gag polyprotein (p55) is the major structural protein of HIV-1, which is processed by the host cell's proteasome into short peptides that are loaded onto Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class I or Class II molecules [2, 14]. These peptide-MHC (pMHC) complexes, such as the immunodominant SL9 epitope or Gag77-85, serve as the primary signal for T-cell-mediated killing of infected cells [3, 10]. Therapeutic strategies targeting these complexes include TCR-engineered T cells, therapeutic vaccines like Pennvax-B, and bispecific T-cell redirectors such as IMC-M113V [3, 6, 11]. However, the effectiveness of these therapies is challenged by the virus's high mutation rate, which allows for immune escape, and the action of the viral Nef protein, which downregulates MHC expression to evade detection [2, 14]. Successful targeting of these antigens is considered a cornerstone of efforts to achieve a functional cure for HIV-1 [3, 12].

Other names

HIV-1 Gag-derived peptide antigens presented on MHC moleculesHIV-1 Gag pMHCGag-MHC complexHIV-1 Gag epitope-MHC complexHIV-1 Gag-derived MHC-peptide complex

T-cell redirection and induction of antigen-specific cellular immunity [3, 11]