SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-derived peptide-MHC complex (SARS-CoV-2 S-pMHC)

The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-derived peptide-MHC (pMHC) complex is a molecular assembly consisting of a short peptide fragment from the viral spike protein bound within the groove of a Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecule. This complex is displayed on the surface of infected cells or antigen-presenting cells, acting as a critical signal for the adaptive immune system to recognize and eliminate the virus. In humans, these complexes involve Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules, such as HLA-A*02:01, which present specific immunodominant epitopes to CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (Source: Cell Reports, 2020, PMID: 32818435). As a therapeutic target, the pMHC complex is the focus of vaccine design, which aims to generate T-cell memory, and advanced immunotherapies like TCR-engineered T cells or TCR-like antibodies that specifically recognize the viral peptide in the context of HLA (Source: Science Immunology, 2021, PMID: 33547050). Understanding the stability and prevalence of these complexes is essential for predicting immune protection and developing treatments that remain effective against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Other names

SARS-CoV-2 spike epitope-HLA complexSpike-derived peptide-MHCSARS-CoV-2 S-peptide-MHCpMHC complex (SARS-CoV-2 spike)

The complex serves as the primary ligand for T-cell receptors (TCRs) on CD8+ (Class I) or CD4+ (Class II) T cells. Drugs such as TCR-like antibodies or engineered T cells (TCR-T) bind specifically to these peptide-MHC complexes to trigger targeted lysis of infected cells or to modulate the immune response (Source: Nature Communications, 2021, PMID: 34611158; Frontiers in Immunology, 2022, PMID: 35281014).