Human leukocyte antigen class I-restricted cytomegalovirus immediate-early 1 peptide-major histocompatibility complex (HLA-I/CMV IE1 pMHC)

The HLA class I-restricted CMV IE1-derived peptide-MHC (pMHC) complex is a molecular assembly consisting of a peptide fragment from the Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Immediate-Early 1 (IE1) protein bound to a Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class I molecule. This complex is presented on the surface of CMV-infected cells and serves as a primary signal for the immune system to identify and eliminate the virus (Source: PubMed PMID: 25605868). Because IE1 is expressed very early in the viral replication cycle, these pMHC complexes are crucial for the rapid activation of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) (Source: UniProt P13202). In therapeutic contexts, these complexes are the targets of adoptive T-cell therapies and TCR-engineered T cells, which are used to restore CMV-specific immunity in immunocompromised patients, such as transplant recipients (Source: PubMed PMID: 31434705). The effectiveness of these therapies is highly dependent on the specific HLA allele of the patient, as the IE1 peptides must fit precisely into the HLA binding groove to be recognized by T cells (Source: NIH/NCBI).

Other names

CMV IE1 pMHCHLA-restricted CMV IE1 antigenIE1-specific pMHC complexUL123-derived pMHCCMV IE1-specific MHC-I complex

Recognition of the pMHC complex by specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) on CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, triggering the release of perforin and granzymes to induce apoptosis in CMV-infected cells (Source: PubMed PMID: 25605868).