JC Polyomavirus Major Capsid Protein VP1-derived peptide–Human Leukocyte Antigen complex (JCPyV VP1–HLA complex)

The JC Polyomavirus (JCPyV) Major Capsid Protein VP1-derived peptide–Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) complex is a molecular assembly presented on the surface of cells infected with JCPyV. This complex consists of a short viral peptide, typically 8-11 amino acids long, bound within the groove of an HLA class I molecule [1]. It serves as the essential signal for the immune system to identify and destroy infected cells, particularly oligodendrocytes and astrocytes in the central nervous system [2]. In healthy individuals, robust CD8+ T-cell responses against these VP1-HLA complexes maintain the virus in a latent state [3]. However, in severely immunocompromised patients, such as those with HIV/AIDS or those receiving monoclonal antibody therapies like natalizumab, the failure of T-cell recognition leads to the development of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) [4]. Therapeutic interventions targeting these complexes include adoptive transfer of donor-derived virus-specific T cells (VSTs) and the engineering of T cells with high-affinity T-cell receptors (TCRs) to restore viral surveillance [5]. Monitoring the frequency of T cells specific to these complexes is a critical biomarker for predicting the clinical outcome of PML patients [7].

Other names

JCPyV VP1-pMHCJC virus VP1 peptide-HLA complexJCPyV VP1-MHC class I complexVP1-HLA complex

Recognition by specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) on CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, triggering the release of perforin and granzymes to induce apoptosis in JCPyV-infected cells [5].