Peptide-Major Histocompatibility Complex presenting adenovirus hexon and penton antigens (pMHC-AdV (Hexon/Penton))

Peptide-Major Histocompatibility Complex (pMHC) complexes presenting adenovirus hexon and penton antigens are critical molecular targets for the cellular immune response against adenoviral infections. Adenoviruses are non-enveloped DNA viruses where the hexon and penton proteins constitute the primary components of the viral capsid and contain highly conserved epitopes recognized by T-cells (Leen et al., 2004, Blood). These viral peptides are processed intracellularly and displayed on the cell surface by MHC Class I or Class II molecules, allowing for recognition by CD8+ and CD4+ T-lymphocytes, respectively (Feuchtinger et al., 2006, Blood). In clinical settings, particularly for immunocompromised patients such as hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, these pMHC complexes serve as the primary targets for adoptive T-cell therapies. Drugs or therapeutic interventions targeting these complexes typically involve the infusion of virus-specific T-cells (VSTs) that express T-cell receptors (TCRs) specific to these adenovirus-derived epitopes (Allovir, 2023). By binding to these pMHC targets, the therapeutic T-cells can selectively identify and eliminate adenovirus-infected cells, thereby controlling viral replication and preventing severe systemic disease (PubMed, PMID: 15231570).

Other names

Adenovirus antigen-HLA complexAdV-pMHCAdenovirus hexon/penton peptide-MHCHLA-presented adenovirus epitopesAdV hexon/penton pMHC

T-cell receptor (TCR) binding to the pMHC complex, triggering cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activation and targeted lysis of adenovirus-infected cells.