JC polyomavirus peptide–Major Histocompatibility Complex (JCV pMHC) (JCV pMHC)

JC polyomavirus (JCV) peptide–Major Histocompatibility Complex (pMHC) complexes are the molecular assemblies presented on the surface of JCV-infected cells, such as oligodendrocytes and astrocytes (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21123530/). These complexes consist of viral peptides, derived from proteins like VP1 or Large T-antigen, bound to HLA molecules, typically Class I (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3653209/). They serve as the essential recognition signal for the host's cellular immune system, specifically CD8+ cytotoxic T-cells. In the context of immunosuppression, the loss of effective T-cell surveillance of these pMHC complexes allows for uncontrolled viral replication, leading to Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) (https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/progressive-multifocal-leukoencephalopathy-pml). Therapeutic interventions focus on restoring or enhancing the recognition of these complexes through adoptive transfer of JCV-specific T-cells (VSTs) or TCR-engineered therapies, which aim to selectively eliminate infected cells while sparing healthy tissue (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1806086).

Other names

JCV pMHCJCV antigen-HLA complexJC virus peptide-MHCJCV peptide-HLA complex

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated recognition and cytotoxic lysis of infected cells