Identification of a TAP-Independent, Immunoproteasome-Dependent CD8(+) T-Cell Epitope in Epstein-Barr Virus Latent Membrane Protein 2

We have identified an HLA-A2-restricted CD8(+) T-cell epitope, FLYALALLL, in the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 2 (LMP2), an important target antigen in the context of EBV-associated malignancies. This epitope is TAP independent, like other hydrophobic LMP2-derived epitopes, but uniquely is dependent upon the immunoproteasome for its generation.