Human leukocyte antigen class I: SARS-CoV-2 peptide complex (HLA-I:SARS-CoV-2 peptide complex)

The HLA class I: SARS-CoV-2–derived peptide complex is a molecular assembly on the surface of host cells that plays a critical role in the cellular immune response to COVID-19. These complexes consist of a human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecule bound to a short peptide fragment derived from the proteome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including structural proteins like Spike and Nucleocapsid. The primary biological function of these complexes is to present viral antigens to CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, which recognize the specific peptide-MHC combination via their T-cell receptors (TCRs). This recognition triggers T-cell activation, leading to the targeted destruction of infected cells and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines to control the infection. In the context of disease, the diversity of HLA alleles and the stability of these complexes are key determinants of individual susceptibility and the effectiveness of the immune response. Therapeutic strategies targeting these complexes include vaccines that induce their formation to prime the immune system, as well as adoptive T-cell therapies like ALVR109 that utilize ex vivo-expanded virus-specific T cells to treat severe or persistent infections. However, challenges such as HLA restriction and viral escape mutations in the peptide sequences can limit the broad applicability and long-term efficacy of these treatments.

Other names

MHC class I:SARS-CoV-2 peptide complexSARS-CoV-2 pMHC complexHLA-I:CoV-2 peptide-MHCSARS-CoV-2 peptide-HLA class I complexSARS-CoV-2 immunopeptidome

Presentation of viral-derived peptides to CD8+ cytotoxic T cells to trigger the recognition and lysis of infected host cells.