Human leukocyte antigen class I–Cytomegalovirus phosphoprotein 65 peptide complex (HLA-I–CMV pp65)

The Human leukocyte antigen class I–Cytomegalovirus phosphoprotein 65 peptide complex is a molecular assembly consisting of a Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class I molecule and a specific immunodominant peptide derived from the Cytomegalovirus (CMV) phosphoprotein 65 (pp65) [1][2]. This complex is expressed on the surface of CMV-infected cells and serves as a critical recognition element for CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) [3]. The most extensively studied version of this complex is the HLA-A*02:01 allele presenting the pp65-derived peptide NLVPMVATV [4]. In healthy individuals, these complexes facilitate the maintenance of a robust memory T-cell population that controls latent CMV infection [5]. However, in immunocompromised patients, such as those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplantation, the failure of the immune system to recognize these complexes can lead to life-threatening CMV reactivation [6]. Therapeutic strategies targeting this complex include the adoptive transfer of pp65-specific T cells (e.g., ATA2274) and the development of vaccines like Triplex designed to selectively eliminate cells presenting the viral antigen [7][8].

Other names

HLA-A*02:01–pp65(495-503) complexMHC class I–CMV pp65 complexHLA-A2–NLVPMVATV complexCMV pp65–HLA-A*02:01 complexpMHC complex

Recognition by specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) on CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, triggering the release of perforin and granzymes to induce apoptosis in infected cells.