T-cell receptor specific for Cytomegalovirus pp65 antigen (CMV pp65 TCR) (CMV pp65 TCR)

The T-cell receptor (TCR) specific for the Cytomegalovirus (CMV) pp65 antigen is a specialized protein complex on the surface of T lymphocytes that mediates the recognition of CMV-infected cells. The pp65 protein, encoded by the UL83 gene, is the most abundant tegument protein of CMV and serves as a primary target for the host's cellular immune response (Source: UniProt P06725). These TCRs recognize specific pp65-derived peptides, most notably the immunodominant NLVPMVATV epitope, when presented by Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules such as HLA-A*02:01 (Source: PubMed 10449401). In clinical settings, these TCRs are the focus of adoptive cell therapies, where pp65-specific T cells are used to restore immunity in immunocompromised transplant recipients (Source: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04354311). Furthermore, because pp65 is expressed in certain malignancies like glioblastoma, these TCRs are being investigated for use in TCR-engineered T-cell (TCR-T) therapies for cancer (Source: Cancer Res. 2014;74(13):3466-76). The interaction between the TCR and the pp65-MHC complex triggers T-cell activation, leading to the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the direct lysis of target cells.

Other names

pp65-specific T-cell receptorUL83-specific TCRCytomegalovirus pp65 TCRCMV-pp65-TCRNLVPMVATV-specific TCR

Recognition of CMV pp65 peptide-MHC complexes on the surface of infected or malignant cells, triggering T-cell mediated cytotoxicity and cytokine production.