Influenza A virus matrix protein 1 (58-66) peptide-HLA-A*02:01 complex (M1-HLA-A2 complex)

The Influenza A virus matrix protein 1 (M1) derived peptide-MHC complex, specifically the immunodominant M1 58-66 epitope (GILGFVFTL) presented by HLA-A*02:01, is a cornerstone of the cellular immune response against influenza. This complex is highly conserved across nearly all influenza A strains, including seasonal and pandemic variants, making it an ideal target for the development of universal influenza vaccines and T-cell receptor (TCR) based immunotherapies (PubMed: 2522546, 14500811). Recognition of this complex by specific CD8+ T-cell receptors, such as the prototypical JM22 TCR, allows the immune system to identify and eliminate infected cells regardless of changes in the virus's surface proteins like hemagglutinin (PubMed: 12941277). In therapeutic contexts, this target is exploited to engineer T cells with high-affinity TCRs or to design vaccines that prime long-lasting memory T-cell responses (UniProt: P03485). Because the M1 protein is internal to the virus, this peptide-MHC target provides a mechanism for broad-spectrum protection that is less susceptible to the antigenic drift typically seen in antibody-targeted epitopes.

Other names

GILGFVFTL-HLA-A*02:01 complexM1(58-66)-MHC complexInfluenza A M1 peptide-MHC class I complexHLA-A*02:01/M1(58-66)

The complex serves as a specific ligand for the T-cell receptor (TCR) on CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Upon binding, it triggers a signaling cascade that leads to the release of cytotoxic granules (perforin and granzymes) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in the apoptosis of the virus-infected host cell.