Human polyomavirus 2 Small t antigen–derived peptide–HLA complex (JCV st-peptide-HLA complex)

The Human polyomavirus 2 Small t antigen–derived peptide–HLA complex is a molecular target comprising a specific epitope from the JC virus (JCV) Small t antigen presented by Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules on the surface of infected cells [1]. JCV, also known as Human polyomavirus 2, is the etiological agent of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), a severe and often fatal demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that occurs in immunocompromised individuals [2]. The Small t antigen is a non-structural viral protein that plays a critical role in viral DNA replication and the manipulation of host cell signaling pathways, particularly through its interaction with protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) [3]. This peptide-HLA complex serves as a primary recognition site for CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which are essential for controlling JCV infection [4]. Therapeutic strategies targeting this complex focus on adoptive T-cell therapies, such as the infusion of JCV-specific T cells (VSTs), which are designed to recognize specific viral peptides like SITEVECFL in the context of HLA-A*02:01 [5]. These interventions aim to restore cellular immunity and eliminate JCV-infected glial cells to halt the progression of PML [6].

Other names

JC virus Small t antigen peptide-MHC complexJCV Small T antigen peptide-HLA complexHuman polyomavirus 2 st-Ag peptide-HLA complexJCV st-Ag peptide-MHC complex

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated recognition of the viral peptide-HLA complex on the surface of infected cells, leading to cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activation and subsequent lysis of the target cell.