Human cytomegalovirus antigens (HCMV antigens)

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) antigens are a comprehensive set of viral proteins that serve as the primary interface between the virus and the host immune system, as well as the targets for therapeutic intervention (PMID: 31906344). Key structural antigens include Glycoprotein B (gB) and the Pentameric Complex (gH/gL/UL128/UL130/UL131A), which are essential for viral entry into diverse cell types and are the primary targets for neutralizing antibodies and modern vaccines like mRNA-1647 (UniProt: P06473, Moderna 2024). Non-structural antigens such as the DNA polymerase (UL54), the UL97 kinase, and the terminase complex (UL56) are the direct targets of small-molecule antivirals including ganciclovir, maribavir, and letermovir (FDA, 2023). Furthermore, internal proteins like phosphoprotein 65 (pp65) and immediate-early proteins (IE1/IE2) are critical for eliciting T-cell mediated immunity, which is vital for controlling latent infection and preventing reactivation (PMID: 27511315). These antigens are central to the pathogenesis of HCMV, particularly in the context of congenital transmission and life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals (PMID: 29198912).

Other names

CMV antigensCytomegalovirus proteinsHCMV surface glycoproteinsHCMV structural proteinsHCMV immunogensHCMV viral proteins

The mechanisms include inhibition of viral DNA polymerase (UL54), inhibition of the viral terminase complex (UL56), inhibition of the UL97 protein kinase, neutralization of viral entry via glycoproteins (gB, gH/gL/UL128-131A), and induction of active or passive immunity (PMID: 31906344, FDA 2023).