T-cell receptor specific for Cytomegalovirus pp65-derived peptide presented on MHC class I (CMV pp65-specific TCR) (CMV pp65-specific TCR)

The T-cell receptor (TCR) specific for the Cytomegalovirus (CMV) pp65-derived peptide is a specialized immune receptor utilized in adoptive T-cell therapies to combat CMV-related diseases. CMV pp65, also known as phosphoprotein 65 or UL83, is a major structural protein of the virus and a dominant target for the cellular immune response (UniProt: P06725). In therapeutic applications, patient or donor T cells are genetically modified to express a TCR that specifically recognizes the pp65-derived peptide (typically the NLVPMVATV epitope) when presented by MHC class I molecules, most commonly HLA-A*02:01 (PubMed: 25609488). Upon binding to this peptide-MHC complex, the TCR initiates a signaling cascade that leads to T-cell proliferation and the targeted killing of CMV-infected cells. This approach is primarily developed for treating refractory CMV infections in immunocompromised individuals, such as those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplantation (NCT03322514). Furthermore, research is ongoing into using these TCRs to target certain cancers, such as glioblastoma, where CMV antigens are reportedly expressed within the tumor microenvironment (PubMed: 30206144).

Other names

CMV-specific TCRpp65-specific TCRNLVPMVATV-specific TCRHLA-A*02:01/pp65 TCRCytomegalovirus phosphoprotein 65-specific T-cell receptor

Engineered T-cell receptors (TCRs) bind to the CMV pp65 peptide (NLVPMVATV) presented by HLA-A*02:01 molecules on the surface of infected or malignant cells, triggering T-cell activation and subsequent cytotoxic destruction of the target cell (PubMed: 25609488).