Human cytomegalovirus pp65-derived peptide-MHC complex (HCMV pp65-pMHC)

The Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) pp65-derived peptide-MHC complex is a critical immunological target for the cellular immune response against HCMV. The pp65 protein, encoded by the UL83 gene, is the most abundant tegument protein of the virus and serves as the primary immunodominant antigen for CD8+ T-cells (UniProt P06725). During infection, pp65 is processed into short peptides, most notably the NLVPMVATV decamer, which is presented on the cell surface by MHC Class I molecules such as HLA-A*02:01 (PMID: 15507525). This complex is specifically recognized by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, leading to the elimination of infected cells. In clinical applications, this complex is targeted by adoptive cell therapies, including CMV-specific T-cells (VSTs), to manage CMV reactivation in immunocompromised transplant recipients (PMID: 11988715). Furthermore, the presence of pp65 in certain tumors like glioblastoma has made these pMHC complexes a focal point for developing cancer vaccines and TCR-T cell therapies (PMID: 21505180). Therapeutic strategies often involve the use of peptide vaccines or engineered T-cells designed to bind this specific molecular signature with high affinity.

Other names

HCMV pp65-HLA complexUL83 peptide-MHC complexNLVPMVATV-HLA-A*02:01 complexpp65-pMHCCytomegalovirus 65 kDa phosphoprotein-MHC complex

Recognition of the specific viral peptide presented within the MHC groove by T-cell receptors (TCRs) or TCR-mimetic antibodies, which triggers cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activation, targeted cell lysis, and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.