Human cytomegalovirus envelope glycoprotein (primarily glycoprotein B, gB, plus related viral surface proteins) (CMV gB (for glycoprotein B); others do not have standardized abbreviations)

The CMV viral surface antigens are a group of proteins exposed on the outer lipid envelope of human cytomegalovirus. The primary antigen, glycoprotein B (gB), is a class III viral fusion protein essential for viral entry, and serves as the major immunogenic determinant for neutralizing antibody responses. Other key antigens include the trimeric (gH/gL/gO) and pentameric (gH/gL/UL128/UL130/UL131) glycoprotein complexes, which mediate host cell recognition and entry. In addition, CMV encodes MHC-I-like molecules that contribute to immune evasion by interfering with host natural killer and cytotoxic T-cell responses. These surface antigens are central to vaccine development and antibody-based therapeutics but present unique challenges due to extensive glycosylation, immunoevasive strategies, and the predominance of non-neutralizing antibody responses. They play a critical role in CMV pathogenesis, especially in immunocompromised and congenitally infected populations

Other names

Cytomegalovirus envelope glycoproteinsHCMV surface antigensCMV glycoprotein BCMV gBCMV gH/gLCMV pentamer/trimer complexCMV MHC-I-like molecules

Neutralizing antibodies: Block viral attachment or membrane fusion Vaccine-induced immunity: Induces antibody and T-cell responses