Human cytomegalovirus antigens pp65, IE1, and IE2 (CMV pp65/IE1/IE2)

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) antigens pp65, IE1 (exon 4), and IE2 (exon 5) are primary targets for the development of immunotherapies and vaccines against CMV infection. pp65, encoded by the UL83 gene, is a major tegument protein that serves as a dominant target for CD8+ T-cell responses and plays a role in subverting the host's innate immune system by inhibiting the interferon response [UniProt: P06725]. IE1 and IE2 are immediate-early proteins essential for viral gene expression and replication; IE1 (UL123) is involved in disrupting nuclear bodies to facilitate viral transcription, while IE2 (UL122) is a critical transactivator of early and late viral promoters [UniProt: P13202, P19893]. The specific combination of pp65 with the highly conserved exon 4 of IE1 and exon 5 of IE2 is frequently used in recombinant vaccines, such as the Triplex vaccine, to elicit a broad and robust T-cell mediated immune response [PubMed: 28356531]. These antigens are particularly relevant in the context of hematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplantation, where CMV reactivation is a major cause of morbidity and mortality [PubMed: 25605961]. By targeting these proteins, therapeutic interventions aim to restore or enhance the patient's ability to control viral replication through the induction of specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Other names

UL83UL123UL12265 kDa lower matrix phosphoproteinImmediate-early protein 1Immediate-early protein 2HCMV antigens

Induction of antigen-specific cellular and humoral immune responses, or direct recognition and lysis of infected cells by adoptive T-cell therapy [PubMed: 28356531].