Viral peptide antigens from adenovirus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus presented on Human Leukocyte Antigen class I (AdV/CMV/EBV pMHC)

This target refers to the complex formed by specific viral peptides derived from Adenovirus (AdV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) when bound to Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class I molecules on the cell surface. These complexes are the primary recognition units for CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which play a critical role in controlling viral infections and preventing virus-associated malignancies (Nature Reviews Immunology, 2002, PMID: 12154377). In immunocompromised individuals, such as hematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplant recipients, the natural T-cell response is often insufficient, leading to life-threatening opportunistic infections or post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (Blood, 2017, PMID: 28232460). Therapeutic strategies targeting these complexes involve the administration of virus-specific T cells (VSTs) that are primed to recognize these specific peptide-HLA combinations (AlloVir, 2024, allovir.com). By binding to these targets, the therapeutic T cells can selectively eliminate infected cells while sparing healthy tissue (EMA, 2022, Ebvallo EPAR). This approach is highly dependent on HLA matching between the donor T cells and the recipient's infected cells to ensure proper recognition and efficacy (Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2020, PMID: 32315238).

Other names

Viral peptide-HLA complexespMHCMultivirus-specific T-cell targetsAdenovirus, CMV, and EBV antigensViral peptide-MHC class I complexes

Adoptive immunotherapy where ex vivo expanded T cells recognize specific viral peptides presented by HLA class I molecules on the surface of infected or transformed cells, triggering T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling, T-cell activation, and targeted lysis of the target cell.