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Casalou C, Mayatra JM, Tobin DJ. Beyond the Epidermal-Melanin-Unit: The Human Scalp Anagen Hair Bulb Is Home to Multiple Melanocyte Subpopulations of Variable Melanogenic Capacity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12809. [PMID: 37628992 PMCID: PMC10454394 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The visual appearance of humans is derived significantly from our skin and hair color. While melanin from epidermal melanocytes protects our skin from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation, the biological value of pigmentation in the hair follicle, particularly on the scalp, is less clear. In this study, we explore the heterogeneity of pigment cells in the human scalp anagen hair follicle bulb, a site conventionally viewed to be focused solely on pigment production for transfer to the hair shaft. Using c-KIT/CD117 microbeads, we isolated bulbar c-KIT-positive and c-KIT-negative melanocytes. While both subpopulations expressed MITF, only the c-KIT-positive fraction expressed SOX10. We further localized bulbar melanocyte subpopulations (expressing c-KIT, SOX10, MITF, and DCT) that exhibited distinct/variable expression of downstream differentiation-associated melanosome markers (e.g., gp100 and Melan-A). The localization of a second 'immature' SOX10 negative melanocyte population, which was c-KIT/MITF double-positive, was identified outside of the melanogenic zone in the most peripheral/proximal matrix. This study describes an approach to purifying human scalp anagen hair bulb melanocytes, allowing us to identify unexpected levels of melanocyte heterogeneity. The function of the more immature melanocytes in this part of the hair follicle remains to be elucidated. Could they be in-transit migratory cells ultimately destined to synthesize melanin, or could they contribute to the hair follicle in non-melanogenic ways?
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Casalou
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jay M. Mayatra
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Desmond J. Tobin
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
- Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
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2
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Slominski RM, Sarna T, Płonka PM, Raman C, Brożyna AA, Slominski AT. Melanoma, Melanin, and Melanogenesis: The Yin and Yang Relationship. Front Oncol 2022; 12:842496. [PMID: 35359389 PMCID: PMC8963986 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.842496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanin pigment plays a critical role in the protection against the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation and other environmental stressors. It is produced by the enzymatic transformation of L-tyrosine to dopaquinone and subsequent chemical and biochemical reactions resulting in the formation of various 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA) and 5,6-dihydroxyindole (DHI) oligomers-main constituents of eumelanin, and benzothiazine and benzothiazole units of pheomelanin. The biosynthesis of melanin is regulated by sun exposure and by many hormonal factors at the tissue, cellular, and subcellular levels. While the presence of melanin protects against the development of skin cancers including cutaneous melanoma, its presence may be necessary for the malignant transformation of melanocytes. This shows a complex role of melanogenesis in melanoma development defined by chemical properties of melanin and the nature of generating pathways such as eu- and pheomelanogenesis. While eumelanin is believed to provide radioprotection and photoprotection by acting as an efficient antioxidant and sunscreen, pheomelanin, being less photostable, can generate mutagenic environment after exposure to the short-wavelength UVR. Melanogenesis by itself and its highly reactive intermediates show cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic activities, and it can stimulate glycolysis and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) activation, which, combined with their immunosuppressive effects, can lead to melanoma progression and resistance to immunotherapy. On the other hand, melanogenesis-related proteins can be a target for immunotherapy. Interestingly, clinicopathological analyses on advanced melanomas have shown a negative correlation between tumor pigmentation and diseases outcome as defined by overall survival and disease-free time. This indicates a "Yin and Yang" role for melanin and active melanogenesis in melanoma development, progression, and therapy. Furthermore, based on the clinical, experimental data and diverse effects of melanogenesis, we propose that inhibition of melanogenesis in advanced melanotic melanoma represents a realistic adjuvant strategy to enhance immuno-, radio-, and chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radomir M Slominski
- Graduate Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Tadeusz Sarna
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Przemysław M Płonka
- Department of Biophysics and Cancer Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Chander Raman
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Anna A Brożyna
- Department of Human Biology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
| | - Andrzej T Slominski
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States.,Pathology Laboratory Service, Veteran Administration Medical Center at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Strobel SB, Machiraju D, Hülsmeyer I, Becker JC, Paschen A, Jäger D, Wels WS, Bachmann M, Hassel JC. Expression of Potential Targets for Cell-Based Therapies on Melanoma Cells. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11040269. [PMID: 33805080 PMCID: PMC8064084 DOI: 10.3390/life11040269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor antigen-specific redirection of cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) or natural killer (NK) cells including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-) and T cell receptor (TCR-) cell therapy is currently being evaluated in different tumor entities including melanoma. Expression of melanoma-specific antigen recognized by the respective CAR or TCR directly or presented by HLA molecules is an indispensable prerequisite for this innovative therapy. In this study, we investigated in 168 FFPE tumor specimens of patients with stage I-IV melanoma the protein expression of HER2, TRP2, ABCB5, gp100, p53, and GD2 by immunohistochemistry (IHC). These results were correlated with clinical parameters. Membrane expression of HER2 and GD2 was also investigated in ten melanoma cell lines by flow cytometry for which corresponding tumors were analyzed by IHC. Our results demonstrated that gp100 was the most frequently overexpressed protein (61%), followed by TRP2 (50%), GD2 (38%), p53 (37%), ABCB5 (17%), and HER2 (3%). TRP2 expression was higher in primary tumors compared to metastases (p = 0.005). Accordingly, TRP2 and ABCB5 expression was significantly associated with lower tumor thickness of the primary (p = 0.013 and p = 0.025). There was no association between protein expression levels and survival in advanced melanoma patients. Flow cytometric analysis revealed abundant surface expression of GD2 and HER2 in all melanoma cell lines. The discordant HER2 expression in situ and in vitro suggests a tissue culture associated induction. In summary, our data support the use of gp100 and GD2 as a potential target for developing engineered TCR- or CAR-cell therapies, respectively, against melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia B. Strobel
- Department of Dermatology and National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (S.B.S.); (D.M.)
| | - Devayani Machiraju
- Department of Dermatology and National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (S.B.S.); (D.M.)
| | - Ingrid Hülsmeyer
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (I.H.); (J.C.B.); (A.P.); (W.S.W.)
| | - Jürgen C. Becker
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (I.H.); (J.C.B.); (A.P.); (W.S.W.)
- Translational Skin Cancer Research, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 45141 Essen, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Annette Paschen
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (I.H.); (J.C.B.); (A.P.); (W.S.W.)
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Dirk Jäger
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Department of Medical Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, German Cancer Research Center, Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Winfried S. Wels
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (I.H.); (J.C.B.); (A.P.); (W.S.W.)
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Michael Bachmann
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Institute of Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Research, 01328 Dresden, Germany;
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Dresden, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), University Hospital ‘Carl Gustav Carus’, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Tumor Immunology, University Cancer Center (UCC) ‘Carl Gustav Carus’, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jessica C. Hassel
- Department of Dermatology and National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (S.B.S.); (D.M.)
- Correspondence:
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Osipov A, Murphy A, Zheng L. From immune checkpoints to vaccines: The past, present and future of cancer immunotherapy. Adv Cancer Res 2019; 143:63-144. [PMID: 31202363 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a worldwide medical problem with significant repercussions on individual patients and societies as a whole. In order to alter the outcomes of this deadly disease the treatment of cancer over the centuries has undergone a unique evolution. However, utilizing the best treatment modalities and achieving cures or long-term durable responses have been inconsistent and limited, that is until recently. Contemporary research has highlighted a fundamental gap in our understanding of how we approach treating cancer, by revealing the intricate relationship between the immune system and tumors. In this atmosphere, the growth of immunotherapy has not only forever changed our understanding of cancer biology, but the manner by which we treat patients. It's paradigm shifting success has led to the approval of over 10 different immunotherapeutic agents, including checkpoint inhibitors, vaccine-based therapies, oncolytic viruses and T cell directed therapies for nearly 20 different indications across countless tumor types. Despite the breakthroughs that have occurred in the field of immunotherapy, it has not been the panacea for all cancers. With a deeper understanding of the immune system we have been able to peer into tumor immune escape and therapy resistance. Simultaneously this understanding has paved the way for the investigation and development of novel immune system altering agents and combinatorial therapies. In this chapter we review the immune system and its intricate relationship with cancer, the evolution of immunotherapy, its current landscape, and future directions in the context of resistance mechanisms and the challenges faced by immunotherapy against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arsen Osipov
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Adrian Murphy
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Lei Zheng
- Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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Lai C, Duan S, Ye F, Hou X, Li X, Zhao J, Yu X, Hu Z, Tang Z, Mo F, Yang X, Lu X. The enhanced antitumor-specific immune response with mannose- and CpG-ODN-coated liposomes delivering TRP2 peptide. Theranostics 2018; 8:1723-1739. [PMID: 29556352 PMCID: PMC5858178 DOI: 10.7150/thno.22056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Dendritic cell (DC)-based cancer vaccines is a newly emerging and potent form of immune therapy. As for any new technology, there are still considerable challenges that need to be addressed. Here, we investigate the antitumor potential of a novel liposomal vaccine, M/CpG-ODN-TRP2-Lipo. METHODS We developed a vaccination strategy by assembling the DC-targeting mannose and immune adjuvant CpG-ODN on the surface of liposomes, which were loaded with melanoma-specific TRP2180-188 peptide as liposomal vaccine. M/CpG-ODN-TRP2-Lipo treatment was used to intendedly induce activation of DCs and antitumor- specific immune response in vivo. RESULTS Our results demonstrated in vitro that the prepared liposomal particles were efficiently taken up by DCs. This uptake led to an enhanced activation of DCs, as measured by the upregulation of MHC II, CD80, and CD86. Furthermore, M/CpG-ODN-TRP2-Lipo effectively inhibited the growth of implanted B16 melanoma and prolonged the survival of mice. This therapy significantly reduced the number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells, while simultaneously increasing the number of activated T cells, tumor antigen-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, and interferon-γ-producing cells. At the same time, it was found to suppress tumor angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation, as well as up-regulate their apoptosis. Interestingly, MyD88-knockout mice had significantly shorter median survival times compared to wild-type mice following the administration of M/CpG-ODN-TRP2-Lipo. CONCLUSIONS The results suggested that the antitumor activities of the vaccine partially rely on the Myd88 signaling pathway. Interestingly, compared to whole tumor cell lysate-based vaccine, M/CpG-ODN-TRP2-Lipo, tumor specific antigen peptide-based vaccine, improved survival of tumor-bearing mice as well as enhanced their antitumor responses. All in all, we describe a novel vaccine formulation, M/CpG-ODN-TRP2-Lipo, with the aim of improving antitumor responses by alleviating the immunosuppressive environment in tumors.
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Dikhit MR, Amit A, Singh AK, Kumar A, Mansuri R, Sinha S, Topno RK, Mishra R, Das VNR, Pandey K, Sahoo GC, Ali V, Bimal S, Das P. Vaccine potential of HLA-A2 epitopes from Leishmania
Cysteine Protease Type III (CPC). Parasite Immunol 2017; 39. [DOI: 10.1111/pim.12451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. R. Dikhit
- Department of Bioinformatics; Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences; Patna India
| | - A. Amit
- Department of Immunology; Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences; Patna India
| | - A. K. Singh
- Department of Immunology; Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences; Patna India
- Department of Pathology; Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences; Patna India
| | - A. Kumar
- Department of Immunology; Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences; Patna India
| | - R. Mansuri
- Department of Bioinformatics; Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences; Patna India
| | - S. Sinha
- Department of Bioinformatics; Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences; Patna India
| | - R. K. Topno
- Department of Epidemiology; Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences; Patna India
| | - R. Mishra
- Department of Clinical Medicine; Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences; Patna India
| | - V. N. R. Das
- Department of Clinical Medicine; Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences; Patna India
| | - K. Pandey
- Department of Clinical Medicine; Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences; Patna India
| | - G. C. Sahoo
- Department of Bioinformatics; Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences; Patna India
| | - V. Ali
- Department of Biochemistry; Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences; Patna India
| | - S. Bimal
- Department of Immunology; Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences; Patna India
| | - P. Das
- Department of Molecular Parasitology; Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences; Patna India
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7
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High-density preculture of PBMCs restores defective sensitivity of circulating CD8 T cells to virus- and tumor-derived antigens. Blood 2015; 126:185-94. [DOI: 10.1182/blood-2015-01-622704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Key Points
CD8 memory T cells in PBMCs are antigen-hyporesponsive due to loss of priming by tissue-dependent interactions. Preculture at high cell density allows the detection of antiviral and antitumor responses that may be overlooked without this step.
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8
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Abstract
Dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) and tyrosinase (Tyr) are melanogenic enzymes and structurally related melanosomal proteins. The present study investigates DCT expression comparatively with Tyr, the most tested melanoma biomarker, aiming to evaluate DCT potential in the assessment of melanocytic tumors and gain insights into the molecular and pathological characterization of DCT-phenotype in tumor progression. DCT and Tyr are simultaneously analyzed in melanoma cell lines by semiquantitative RT-PCR, western blot, and N-glycan analysis, and in cell populations of melanocytic tumors by immunohistofluorescence using a novel anti-hDCT antibody against an extended sequence within DCT luminal domain. DCT, unlike Tyr, is fully processed along the secretory pathway in both pigmented and amelanotic melanoma cells. In 53 nevi and 116 primary malignant melanomas, 81% and 52%, respectively, are DCT+/Tyr+, showing that DCT is a stable antigen, retained by most tumors and partially expressed in Tyr-negative cell populations. The DCT/Tyr disjunction is a process correlated with melanocyte neoplastic transformation and malignant progression. A tumor architecture--DCT-phenotype-containing DCT+/Tyr- cell populations selected into the innermost dermis from double-positive cells is detected in 35% of DCT+/Tyr+ specimens. The DCT-phenotype is associated with enhanced neurotization in benign nevi and with ulceration in thin malignant melanomas. The intradermal DCT+/Tyr- clones in superficial melanomas acquire the expression and specific subcellular distribution of unfavorable prognostic markers. DCT assessment shows specific antigen patterns with potential significance in the outcome of melanocytic lesions, connecting DCT, a mediator of a melanoma stress-resistant pathway, and an antiapoptotic molecule to DCT- phenotypes that are possibly more stable and stress resistant.
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9
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Tumour immunogenicity, antigen presentation and immunological barriers in cancer immunotherapy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 2014. [PMID: 24634791 DOI: 10.1155/2014/734515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Since the beginning of the 20th century, scientists have tried to stimulate the anti-tumour activities of the immune system to fight against cancer. However, the scientific effort devoted on the development of cancer immunotherapy has not been translated into the expected clinical success. On the contrary, classical anti-neoplastic treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the first line of treatment. Nevertheless, there is compelling evidence on the immunogenicity of cancer cells, and the capacity of the immune system to expand cancer-specific effector cytotoxic T cells. However, the effective activation of anti-cancer T cell responses strongly depends on efficient tumour antigen presentation from professional antigen presenting cells such as dendritic cells (DCs). Several strategies have been used to boost DC antigen presenting functions, but at the end cancer immunotherapy is not as effective as would be expected according to preclinical models. In this review we comment on these discrepancies, focusing our attention on the contribution of regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells to the lack of therapeutic success of DC-based cancer immunotherapy.
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10
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Thommen DS, Schuster H, Keller M, Kapoor S, Weinzierl AO, Chennakesava CS, Wang X, Rohrer L, von Eckardstein A, Stevanovic S, Biedermann BC. Two preferentially expressed proteins protect vascular endothelial cells from an attack by peptide-specific CTL. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 188:5283-92. [PMID: 22544926 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1101506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial cells (EC) are an exposed tissue with intimate contact with circulating Ag-specific CTL. Experimental in vitro and clinical data suggested that endothelial cells present a different repertoire of MHC class I-restricted peptides compared with syngeneic leukocytes or epithelial cells. This endothelial-specific peptide repertoire might protect EC from CTL-mediated cell death. The HLA-A*02-restricted peptide profile of human EC and syngeneic B lymphoblastoid cells was biochemically analyzed and compared. For EC selective peptides, source protein expression, peptide binding affinity, and peptide-HLA-A*02 turnover were measured. The significance of abundant peptide presentation for target cell recognition by immunodominant CTL was tested by small interfering RNA treatment of EC to knock down the source proteins. High amounts of two peptides, PTRF(56-64) and CD59(106-114), were consistently detected in EC. This predominance of two endothelial peptides was explained by cell type-specific source protein expression that compensated for poor HLA-A*02 binding affinity and short half-live of peptide/HLA-A*02 complexes. Knocking down the source proteins containing the abundant endothelial peptide motifs led to a nearly 100-fold increase of surface expression of SMCY(311-319), an immunodominant minor histocompatibility Ag, as detected by cytotoxicity assays using SMCY(311-319)-specific CTL. We conclude that EC express and present preferentially two distinct HLA-A*02-restricted peptides at extraordinary high levels. These abundant self-peptides may protect EC from CTL-mediated lysis by competing for HLA-A*02 binding sites with immunodominant scarcely expressed antigenic peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela S Thommen
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland
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Retsas S. Latest developments in the treatment of melanoma: 'a penicillin moment for cancer'? J R Soc Med 2011; 104:269-72. [PMID: 21659402 DOI: 10.1258/jrsm.2011.100405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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12
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Chang MS, Choi MJ, Park SY, Park SK. Inhibitory effects of Hoelen extract on melanogenesis in B16/F1 melanoma cells. Phytother Res 2011; 24:1359-64. [PMID: 20812279 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.3123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Melanin synthesis is regulated by melanogenic proteins, such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1) and TRP-2. The effects of Hoelen extract on melanogenesis were investigated in B16Fl murine melanoma cells. Specifically, tyrosinase activity, cell viability and melanin content were assayed, and western blotting and RT-PCR for tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2 conducted. The results show that Hoelen significantly inhibited melanin synthesis through inhibition of TRP-2 expression, while it did not affect tyrosinase activity or its expression. Taken together, RT-PCR results showed that the depigmentation effect of Hoelen may be due to inhibition of TRP-2 gene transcription. These results suggest that Hoelen may be a useful inhibitor for the attenuation of melanogenesis and hyperpigmentation in skin cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mun Seog Chang
- Department of Prescriptionology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
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Zhu X, Zhou P, Cai J, Yang G, Liang S, Ren D. Tumor antigen delivered by Salmonella III secretion protein fused with heat shock protein 70 induces protection and eradication against murine melanoma. Cancer Sci 2010; 101:2621-8. [PMID: 20880334 PMCID: PMC11159612 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2010.01722.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Attenuated Salmonella typhimurium possess the ability to stimulate innate immune responses and preferentially allocate within the solid tumor. These two main characteristics make attenuated Salmonella one of the most attractive vehicles for development of vaccine and also targeted cancer therapies. However, location of Salmonella prevents the process of antigen presentation. Salmonella Type III secretion system can be utilized to circumvent this problem because this system secretes the protein it encoded outside the cells. Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is referred to as an "immunochaperone" for its capacity to elicit tumor-specific adaptive immune responses in the form of Hsp70-TAA (tumor associated antigen) complex. Hsp70 facilitates the cross-presentation of exogenous antigens through its receptor on antigen-presenting cells and therefore activates an antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response, which can directly contribute to potent anti-tumor immunity. Here, we designed a novel therapeutic vaccine utilizing the type III secretion system and Hsp70 to deliver and present the tumor-specific antigen. This live recombinant bacteria vaccine, when administrated orally, successfully broke the immune tolerance, induced a specific CTL response against tumor cells, and therefore revealed protective and therapeutic effects against generation and growth of B16F10 melanoma in C57BL/6J mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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14
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The treatment and prevention of mouse melanoma with an oral DNA vaccine carried by attenuated Salmonella typhimurium. J Immunother 2010; 33:453-60. [PMID: 20463603 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0b013e3181cf23a6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic vaccines of cancer are attractive for their capacity of breaking the immune tolerance and invoking long-term immune response targeting cancer cells without autoimmunity. An efficient antigen delivery system is the key issue of developing an effective cancer vaccine. Attenuated Salmonella typhimurium as the carrier of cancer vaccine are able to transfer DNA from the prokaryote to the eukaryote and preferentially replicate within the tumor tissue. Heat shock protein 70 delivers the tumor-associated antigens to antigen presenting cells through its polypeptide-binding domain and breaks immune tolerance of the cancer cells. Here we described a novel low-copy-number DNA vaccine based on the Hsp70-TAA complex and carried by the attenuated S. typhimurium strain SL3261. Oral administration of this vaccine elicited specific CTL-mediated lysis of the melanoma tumor cells and marked activation of the T-cells. The therapeutic vaccine effectively protected 57.1% C57BL/6J mice from lethal challenge with B16F10 melanoma tumor cells in prophylactic settings and eraicated 62.5% tumor growth in therapeutic settings. This approach may provide a new strategy for the prevention and treatment of cancer.
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Abstract
During the progression of cutaneous melanomas, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) facilitate the tumour cells to traverse the basement membrane and invade the dermis. In this study, we analysed the expression of MMP19 in the course of melanoma progression. Although MMP19 was absent in melanocytes and melanoma cells of early stages of melanoma development, its expression was strongly upregulated in the neighbouring keratinocytes that may facilitate the vertical outgrowth of melanoma cells. In contrast to early stages, MMP19 was upregulated during the vertical growth phase of melanoma and in metastases. The upregulation of MMP19 in melanoma of Clark levels IV and V correlates with that of MMP2 and also simultaneously with ceased expression of E-cadherin. To reveal whether MMP19 facilitates the invasion of melanomas, we examined adhesion and migratory capacity of selected melanoma cell lines. Melanoma cell lines with low expression of MMP19 exhibited increased adhesion to various substrates and lower migration in comparison with the cell line with higher expression of MMP19. Moreover, ectopic expression of MMP19 could restore the migratory capacity of melanoma cells with low endogenous level of MMP19. These results suggest that the increase of MMP19 expression hallmarks the progression of cutaneous melanoma and might augment melanoma growth by promoting the invasion of tumour cells.
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Sundar K, Boesen A, Coico R. Computational prediction and identification of HLA-A2.1-specific Ebola virus CTL epitopes. Virology 2006; 360:257-63. [PMID: 17123567 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2006.09.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2006] [Revised: 07/05/2006] [Accepted: 09/27/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV) is known to cause a severe hemorrhagic fever resulting in high mortality. Although the precise host defense mechanism(s) that afford protection against EBOV is not completely understood, T cell-mediated immune responses is believed to play a pivotal role in controlling virus replication and EBOV infection. There have been no reports on mapping of MHC Class I-binding CTL epitopes for EBOV till to date. In this study, we identified five HLA-A2-binding 9-mer peptides of EBOV nucleoprotein (NP) using computer-assisted algorithm. The peptides were synthesized and examined for their ability to bind to MHC class I molecules using a flow cytometry based MHC stabilization assay. Three of the EBOV-NP peptides tested (FLSFASLFL, RLMRTNFLI and KLTEAITAA) stabilized HLA-A2. The ability of the HLA-A2-binding EBOV-NP peptides to generate peptide-specific CTLs was evaluated in HLA-A2.1 transgenic mice. Epitope-specific CTL responses were confirmed by cytotoxic assays against peptide-pulsed target cells and interferon-gamma ELISPOT assay. Each of the EBOV-NP peptides induced CTL responses in HLA-A2-transgenic mice. Interestingly, all the three peptides were conserved in three different strains of Ebola (Zaire and Reston and Sudan). Taken together, these findings provide direct evidence for the existence of EBOV-derived NP epitopes that may be useful in the development of protective immunogens for this hemorrhagic virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishnan Sundar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, City University of New York Medical School, New York, NY 10031, USA
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17
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Zeng J, Müller-Berghaus J, Nguyen XD, Klüter H, Schönhaber H, Song M, Schwinn N, Schadendorf D, Goerdt S, Eichmüller S, Dippel E. Identification of HLA class I dependent immunogenic peptides from clonotypic TCRbeta expressed in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Int J Cancer 2006; 119:2476-80. [PMID: 16858680 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.22113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The clonotypic T-cell receptor (TCR) is a potential target antigen for specific immunotherapy of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). We identified T-cell epitopes from the rearranged TCR beta chain of the malignant T-cell population by the "reverse immunology" approach. Peptide-specific T-cell lines were generated against predicted epitopes and tested for the recognition of tumor cells and cells transfected with the full-length DNA coding for TCRV beta chain. Two peptides derived from the clonotypic TCRVbeta of a HLA-A2 positive patient could induce peptide-specific T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy donors and the patient as assessed by IFN-gamma ELISpot assay. Furthermore, the reactive CTLs efficiently recognized autologous Sézary tumor cells, as well as HLA-A2 positive 293 cells transfected with recombinant plasmid expressing the corresponding TCRVbeta29 protein. Similar results were obtained in a HLA-A3+ patient for TCRVbeta7-Jbeta2.7. In conclusion, our experiments show that the TCR beta chain harbors epitopes suitable as targets for specific vaccination which might be a promising approach for the specific immunotherapy of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma patients.
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MESH Headings
- Epitopes/immunology
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- HLA-A2 Antigen/metabolism
- HLA-A3 Antigen/metabolism
- Humans
- Immunotherapy/methods
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology
- Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous/immunology
- Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous/therapy
- Peptides/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/immunology
- Sezary Syndrome/immunology
- Skin Neoplasms/immunology
- Skin Neoplasms/therapy
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyang Zeng
- German Cancer Research Center, DKFZ, Skin Cancer Unit, Heidelberg, Germany
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18
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Sommerfeldt N, Beckhove P, Ge Y, Schütz F, Choi C, Bucur M, Domschke C, Sohn C, Schneeweis A, Rom J, Pollmann D, Leucht D, Vlodavsky I, Schirrmacher V. Heparanase: a new metastasis-associated antigen recognized in breast cancer patients by spontaneously induced memory T lymphocytes. Cancer Res 2006; 66:7716-23. [PMID: 16885374 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-05-2363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Increased expression and secretion of heparanase (Hpa) by tumor cells promotes tumor invasion through extracellular matrices, tissue destruction, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Here, we show the existence in breast cancer patients of Hpa-specific T lymphocytes by fluorescence-activated cell sorting flow cytometry using Hpa peptide-MHC class I tetramers. We furthermore show memory T-cell responses in a high proportion of breast cancer patients to Hpa-derived HLA-A2-restricted peptides, leading to production of IFN-gamma and to generation of antitumor CTLs lysing breast cancer cells. Such CTLs recognized endogenously processed respective Hpa peptides on Hpa-transfected and Hpa-expressing untransfected breast carcinoma cells. According to these results and to the fact that such cells were not found in healthy people, Hpa seems to be an attractive new tumor-associated antigen and its HLA-A2-restricted peptides ought to be good candidates for peptide vaccination to reactivate memory immune responses to invasive and metastatic cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Sommerfeldt
- Department of Cellular Immunology, The German Cancer Research Center, D010 Im Neuenheimer Feld, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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19
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Zhang H, Wang W, Li Q, Huang W. Fusion protein of ATPase domain of Hsc70 with TRP2 acting as a tumor vaccine against B16 melanoma. Immunol Lett 2006; 105:167-73. [PMID: 16580737 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2006.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2005] [Revised: 02/06/2006] [Accepted: 02/17/2006] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
HSP70s are a family of ATP-dependent chaperones of relative molecular masses around 70kDa. Immunization of mice with HSP70 isolated from tumor tissues has been proved to elicit specific protective immunity against the original tumor. Recent researches have demonstrated that the ATPase domain of HSP70 and the tumor antigenic peptide that binds to Hsp70 were the crucial parts eliciting tumor-specific immunity. These findings suggested that a recombinant protein expressed in Escherichia coli, comprising a covalently fused fragment of tumor rejection antigen to ATPase domain of HSP70, could be used as a tumor vaccine. However, high-level expressions of heterologous recombinant proteins in E. coli often lead to the formation of inclusion bodies, resulting in defects in solubility and bioactivity. In the present work, we found an approach to resolve these problems, focusing on a refolding procedure via gel-filtration chromatography for denatured inclusion body proteins. Here, we expressed, purified and refolded a fusion protein comprising murine heat shock cognate protein 70 (Hsc70) N-terminal ATPase domain (Hsc70NTD) and a portion of TRP2 (aa153-417) as a model protein. The refolding effectivities were assessed according to their ATPase activities, the vaccine function was assessed according to immunization effect in inducing antigen-specific CTLs and to in vivo tumor protection. The results showed that the fusion protein refolded via gel-filtration chromatography exhibited ATPase activity, succeeded in eliciting antigen-specific CTL in vivo and delayed tumor growth on tumor-bearing mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honghai Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, 200433 Shanghai, PR China
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20
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Yang S, Tsang KY, Schlom J. Induction of higher-avidity human CTLs by vector-mediated enhanced costimulation of antigen-presenting cells. Clin Cancer Res 2006; 11:5603-15. [PMID: 16061879 PMCID: PMC1351007 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-05-0670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The efficacy of antigen-specific CD8(+) CTLs depends not only on the quantity of CTLs generated but also perhaps, more importantly, on the avidity of the CTLs. To date, however, no strategy has been shown to preferentially induce higher-avidity human CTLs. In the present study, antigen-presenting cells (APC) generated from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were infected with a recombinant avipox vector (rF-) containing the transgenes for a triad of costimulatory molecules (human B7.1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and LFA-3, designated as rF-TRICOM) and then used to elicit peptide-specific CTLs from autologous T cells. Compared with peptide-pulsed noninfected APCs or peptide-pulsed APCs infected with wild-type vector, peptide-pulsed APCs infected with rF-TRICOM induced not only more CTLs but also higher-avidity CTLs; this was shown by tetramer staining, tetramer dissociation, IFN-gamma production, and cytolytic assays. Peptide-pulsed rF-TRICOM-infected dendritic cells were also shown to induce CTLs with a >10-fold higher avidity than CTLs induced using CD40L-matured dendritic cells; the use of peptide-pulsed CD40L-matured dendritic cells infected with rF-TRICOM as APCs induced CTLs of even greater avidity. To our knowledge, these studies are the first to show a methodology to induce higher-avidity human CTLs and have implications for the development of more efficient vaccines for a range of human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jeffrey Schlom
- Requests for reprints: Jeffrey Schlom, Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, 10 Center Drive, Room 8B09, Bethesda, MD 20892-1750. Phone: (301) 496-4343; Fax: (301) 496-2756; E-mail:
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21
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Paschen A, Jing W, Drexler I, Klemm M, Song M, Müller-Berghaus J, Nguyen XD, Osen W, Stevanovic S, Sutter G, Schadendorf D. Melanoma patients respond to a new HLA-A*01-presented antigenic ligand derived from a multi-epitope region of melanoma antigen TRP-2. Int J Cancer 2005; 116:944-8. [PMID: 15856458 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.21132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2) is a known target antigen of spontaneous cytotoxic T cell responses in melanoma patients. Its frequent expression in metastatic tumors suggests that it might be an ideal candidate antigen for T cell-based immunotherapy. To provide knowledge about TRP-2-derived T cell epitopes useful for immunotherapy we applied a "reverse immunology strategy" based on repeated in vitro peptide stimulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from normal donors with predicted HLA-A*01 ligands. This led to the identification of TRP-2(181-190) as the first HLA-A*01-presented TRP-2-derived epitope. T-cell lines specific for peptide TRP-2(181-190) could be established from PBL of 50% of the normal HLA-A*01(+) donors tested. Such T cells responded specifically to autologous dendritic cells transduced virally with TRP-2, as well as to HLA-A*01(+), TRP-2(+) melanoma cells, although tumor cells had to be pretreated with IFN-gamma to become susceptible to T cell recognition. Interestingly, short-term in vitro peptide stimulation of PBL from HLA-A*01(+) melanoma patients showed the presence of TRP-2(181-190)-reactive CD8(+) T cells in some donors, suggesting their in vivo sensitization. Because TRP-2(181-190) overlaps with the known HLA-A*0201-presented epitope TRP-2(180-188), an 11mer peptide encompassing both epitopes might be of specific value for vaccination of a broad population of melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Paschen
- Skin Cancer Unit of the German Cancer Research Center at the University Hospital of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.
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22
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Sun Y, Stevanovic S, Song M, Schwantes A, Kirkpatrick CJ, Schadendorf D, Cichutek K. The kinase insert domain-containing receptor is an angiogenesis-associated antigen recognized by human cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Blood 2005; 107:1476-83. [PMID: 16234362 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2005-05-1912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Antigen-specific cancer immunotherapy directed toward tumor-nourishing angiogenic blood vessels holds the promise of high efficacy, low toxicity, and ease of application. To evaluate whether the human angiogenic kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) can serve as a target for cellular immunotherapy, 19 peptide sequences with HLA-A*0201 motifs were selected by computer-based algorithms. Five peptides (KDR82-90, KDR288-297, KDR766-774, KDR1093-1101, KDR1035-1044) stimulated specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) from peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 3 HLA-A*0201 donors. The decapeptide KDR288-297 was efficient in sensitizing target cells for recognition by a CTL clone at a concentration of 10 nM. More important, KDR288-297-specific CTLs lysed target cells transfected with HLA-A2/KDR cDNAs and a range of HLA-matched KDR+ angiogenic endothelial cells (aECs) and also recognized CD34+ endothelial progenitor cells. The specificity of CTLs was further confirmed by tetramer assay and cold-target inhibition assay. In addition, ex vivo exposure of aECs to the inflammatory cytokines enhanced CTL reactivity, which is in keeping with up-regulated KDR and HLA class 1 expression. In Matrigel assays, recognition of aECs by specific CTLs triggered an antivascular effect. These findings provide the first proof of the antigenic property of KDR protein and may be useful for devising new immunotherapeutic approaches to human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuansheng Sun
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Paul-Ehrlich-Str 51-59, D-63225 Langen, Germany.
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23
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Boesen A, Sundar K, Coico R. Lassa fever virus peptides predicted by computational analysis induce epitope-specific cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte responses in HLA-A2.1 transgenic mice. CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY IMMUNOLOGY 2005; 12:1223-30. [PMID: 16210487 PMCID: PMC1247823 DOI: 10.1128/cdli.12.10.1223-1230.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2005] [Revised: 05/17/2005] [Accepted: 06/16/2005] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Lassa fever is a hemorrhagic disease caused by Lassa fever virus (LV). Although the precise host defense mechanism(s) that affords protection against LV is not completely understood, cellular immunity mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) plays a pivotal role in controlling viral replication and LV infection. To date, there have been no reports mapping major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-binding CTL epitopes for LV. Using computer-assisted algorithms, we identified five HLA-A2.1-binding peptides of LV glycoprotein (GP) and two peptides from LV nucleoprotein (NP). Synthesized peptides were examined for their ability to bind to MHC class I molecules using a flow cytometric assay that measures peptide stabilization of class I. Three of the LV-GP peptides tested (LLGTFTWTL, SLYKGVYEL, and YLISIFLHL) stabilized HLA-A2. The LV-NP peptides tested failed to stabilize this HLA-A2. We then investigated the ability of the HLA-A2-binding LV-GP peptides to generate peptide-specific CTLs in HLA-A2.1 transgenic mice. Functional assays used to confirm CTL activation included gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays and intracellular cytokine staining of CD8+ T cells from peptide-primed mice. CTL assays were also performed to verify the cytolytic activity of peptide-pulsed target cells. Each of the LV-GP peptides induced CTL responses in HLA-A2-transgenic mice. MHC class I tetramers prepared using one LV-GP peptide that showed the highest cytolytic index (LLGTFTWTL) confirmed that peptide-binding CD8+ T cells were present in pooled lymphocytes harvested from peptide-primed mice. These findings provide direct evidence for the existence of LV-derived GP epitopes that may be useful in the development of protective immunogens for this hemorrhagic virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Boesen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, City University of New York Medical School, New York, New York 10031, USA
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24
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Paschen A, Song M, Osen W, Nguyen XD, Mueller-Berghaus J, Fink D, Daniel N, Donzeau M, Nagel W, Kropshofer H, Schadendorf D. Detection of Spontaneous CD4+ T-Cell Responses in Melanoma Patients against a Tyrosinase-Related Protein-2–Derived Epitope Identified in HLA-DRB1*0301 Transgenic Mice. Clin Cancer Res 2005; 11:5241-7. [PMID: 16033842 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-05-0170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The frequently expressed differentiation antigen tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2) has repeatedly been described as a target of spontaneous cytotoxic T-cell responses in melanoma patients, suggesting that it might be an ideal candidate antigen for T cell-based immunotherapy. As a prerequisite for immunization, T-cell epitopes have to be identified. Whereas a number of HLA class I-presented TRP-2-derived epitopes are known, information about HLA class II-presented antigenic ligands recognized by CD4+ T helper (Th) cells is limited. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The search for TRP-2-derived Th epitopes was carried out by competitive in vitro peptide binding studies with predicted HLA-DRB1*0301 ligands in combination with peptide and protein immunizations of HLA-DRB1*0301 transgenic mice. In vivo selected candidate epitopes were subsequently verified for their immunogenicity in human T-cell cultures. RESULTS This strategy led to the characterization of TRP-2(60-74) as an HLA-DRB1*0301-restricted Th epitope. Importantly, TRP-2(60-74)-reactive human CD4+ Th cell lines, specifically recognizing target cells loaded with recombinant TRP-2 protein, could be established by repeated peptide stimulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes from several HLA-DRB1*03+ melanoma patients. Even short-term peptide stimulation of patients' peripheral blood lymphocytes showed the presence of TRP-2(60-74)-reactive T cells, suggesting that these T cells were already activated in vivo. CONCLUSION Peptide TRP-2(60-74) might be a useful tool for the improvement of immunotherapy and immune monitoring of melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Paschen
- Skin Cancer Unit of the German Cancer Research Center Heidelberg, University Hospital Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.
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25
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Bredenbeck A, Losch FO, Sharav T, Eichler-Mertens M, Filter M, Givehchi A, Sterry W, Wrede P, Walden P. Identification of Noncanonical Melanoma-Associated T Cell Epitopes for Cancer Immunotherapy. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2005; 174:6716-24. [PMID: 15905511 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.174.11.6716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The identification of tumor-associated T cell epitopes has contributed significantly to the understanding of the interrelationship of tumor and immune system and is instrumental in the development of therapeutic vaccines for the treatment of cancer. Most of the known epitopes have been identified with prediction algorithms that compute the potential capacity of a peptide to bind to HLA class I molecules. However, naturally expressed T cell epitopes need not necessarily be strong HLA binders. To overcome this limitation of the available prediction algorithms we established a strategy for the identification of T cell epitopes that include suboptimal HLA binders. To this end, an artificial neural network was developed that predicts HLA-binding peptides in protein sequences by taking the entire sequence context into consideration rather than computing the sum of the contribution of the individual amino acids. Using this algorithm, we predicted seven HLA A*0201-restricted potential T cell epitopes from known melanoma-associated Ags that do not conform to the canonical anchor motif for this HLA molecule. All seven epitopes were validated as T cell epitopes and three as naturally processed by melanoma tumor cells. T cells for four of the new epitopes were found at elevated frequencies in the peripheral blood of melanoma patients. Modification of the peptides to the canonical sequence motifs led to improved HLA binding and to improved capacity to stimulate T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Bredenbeck
- Department of Dermatology, Clinical Research Group Tumor Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
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26
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Negroiu G, Dwek RA, Petrescu SM. Tyrosinase-related protein-2 and -1 are trafficked on distinct routes in B16 melanoma cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2005; 328:914-21. [PMID: 15707965 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.01.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2004] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Tyrosinase related protein (TRP)-1 and -2 regulate the main steps in melanin synthesis and are immune targets in skin cancer or autoimmune pigmentary disorders. We found that ionophore monensin (Mon) and the quaternary amine chloroquine (CQ) discriminate between the traffic routes of TRP-2 and TRP-1. TRP-2 N-glycan processing is interrupted by Mon between ER and trans-Golgi, whereas this process continues for TRP-1. Mature TRP-2 is diverted by CQ treatment to a degradation pathway which depends on functional vacuolar ATPases. Conversely, the subcellular distribution and stability of TRP-1 were not affected by CQ. We propose that TRP-2 is sorted and trafficked in the early secretory pathway with a cargo which does not include TRP-1; post Golgi, TRP-2 intersects the endocytic pathway following a route via early endosomes, possibly by rapid recycling from the plasma membrane. These data show that highly structural homologous glycoproteins use distinct trafficking pathways in the same cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Negroiu
- Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian Academy, Splaiul Independentei 296, 060031 Bucharest 17, Romania.
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27
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Guyonneau L, Murisier F, Rossier A, Moulin A, Beermann F. Melanocytes and pigmentation are affected in dopachrome tautomerase knockout mice. Mol Cell Biol 2004; 24:3396-403. [PMID: 15060160 PMCID: PMC381679 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.24.8.3396-3403.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The tyrosinase family comprises three members, tyrosinase (Tyr), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (Tyrp1), and dopachrome tautomerase (Dct). Null mutations and deletions at the Tyr and Tyrp1 loci are known and phenotypically affect coat color due to the absence of enzyme or intracellular mislocalization. At the Dct locus, three mutations are known that lead to pigmentation phenotype. However, these mutations are not null mutations, and we therefore set out to generate a null allele at the Dct gene locus by removing exon 1 of the mouse Dct gene. Mice deficient in Dct [Dct(tm1(Cre)Bee)] lack Dct mRNA and dopachrome tautomerase protein. They are viable and do not show any abnormalities in Dct-expressing sites such as skin, retinal pigment epithelium, or brain. However, the mice show a diluted coat color phenotype, which is due to reduced melanin content in hair. Primary melanocytes from Dct knockout mice are viable in culture and show a normal distribution of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1. In comparison to the knockout, the slaty mutation (Dct(slt)/Dct(slt)) has less melanin and affects growth of primary melanocytes severely. In summary, we have generated a knockout of the Dct gene in mice with effects restricted to pigment production and coat color.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Guyonneau
- Molecular Oncology, Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, National Center of Competence in Research, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
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28
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Negroiu G, Dwek RA, Petrescu SM. The inhibition of early N-glycan processing targets TRP-2 to degradation in B16 melanoma cells. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:27035-42. [PMID: 12719423 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m303167200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2) is a DOPAchrome tautomerase catalyzing a distal step in the melanin synthesis pathway. Similar to the other two melanogenic enzymes belonging to the TRP gene family, tyrosinase and TRP-1, TRP-2 is expressed in melanocytes and melanoma cells. Despite the increasing evidence of its efficiency as a melanoma antigen, little is known about the maturation and intracellular trafficking of TRP-2. Here we show that TRP-2 is mainly distributed in the TGN of melanoma cells instead of being confined solely to melanosomes. This, together with the plasma membrane occasional localization observed by immunofluorescence, suggest the TRP-2 participation in a recycling pathway, which could include or not the melanosomes. Using pulse-chase experiments we show that the TRP-2 polypeptide folds in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in the presence of calnexin, until it reaches a dithiothreitol-resistant conformation enabling its ER exit to the Golgi. If N-glycosylation inhibitors prevent the association with calnexin, the TRP-2 nascent chain undergoes an accelerated degradation process. This process is delayed in the presence of proteasomal inhibitors, indicating that the misfolded chain is retro-translocated from the ER into the cytosol and degraded in proteasomes. This is a rare example in which calnexin although indispensable for the nascent chain folding is not required for its targeting to degradation. Therefore TRP-2 may prove to be a good model to document the calnexin-independent retro-translocation process of proteasomally degraded proteins. Clearly, TRP-2 has a distinct maturation pathway from tyrosinase and TRP-1 and possibly a second regulatory function within the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Negroiu
- Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian Academy, Splaiul Independentei 296, 77700 Bucharest, Romania
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29
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Liu G, Khong HT, Wheeler CJ, Yu JS, Black KL, Ying H. Molecular and functional analysis of tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-2 as a cytotoxic T lymphocyte target in patients with malignant glioma. J Immunother 2003; 26:301-12. [PMID: 12843792 DOI: 10.1097/00002371-200307000-00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-2 is an immunogenic antigen in melanoma. The authors sought to investigate whether TRP-2 could be a potential target for patients with malignant glioma. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that TRP-2 was present in 51.2% of primary tumor cell lines derived from patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The percentage of TRP-2-6b, TRP-2-INT2, TRP-2-LT, and TRP-2-8b isoform expression in all tested GBM cells was 13.9%, 34.9%, 41.9%, and 39.5%, respectively. TRP-2 protein expression was detected in GBM cells and tumor tissues by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. In addition, an HLA-A2-restricted cytotoxic T cell clone that recognizes the TRP-2(180-188) peptide (SVYDFFVWL) specifically lysed the TRP-2 positive GBM cells in a HLA-A2 restricted manner. In addition, the level of TRP-2 mRNA expression, as determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR, correlated with the level of CTL recognition as measured by IFN-gamma secretion (R = 0.90; p < 0.01). To further test the immunogenicity of TRP-2 in glioma, PBMCs from a healthy donor were primed in vitro using autologous dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with irradiated GBM cells. These in vitro generated T cells specifically lysed T2 cells pulsed with TRP-2(180-188) peptide and TRP-2 positive GBM cell lines. Most importantly, TRP-2(180-188) specific CTL frequency in four patients' PBMC who were both HLA-A2 and TRP-2 positive was significantly (p < 0.01) increased, respectively, after vaccinations with DCs pulsed with autologous tumor lysate. The authors' studies demonstrate that TRP-2 could be a useful antigen target for monitoring or developing immunotherapeutic strategies for glioma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gentao Liu
- Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.
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Riley JP, Rosenberg SA, Parkhurst MR. Stimulation of tumor-reactive T lymphocytes using mixtures of synthetic peptides derived from tumor-associated antigens with diverse MHC binding affinities. J Immunol Methods 2003; 276:103-19. [PMID: 12738363 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-1759(03)00078-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The use of reverse immunology may be necessary to identify new tumor-associated antigens, particularly for cancers, against which tumor-reactive T cell populations have been difficult to establish. One approach has been to screen peptides derived from a candidate antigen with high major histocompatibility complex (MHC) binding affinities for the induction of tumor-reactive T lymphocytes in vitro. However, many candidate antigens that are overexpressed in tumors are nonmutated self-proteins, and unlike foreign or mutated proteins, immunodominant epitopes may not be expressed at high density on the surface of tumor cells. Therefore, to identify tumor-associated epitopes, it may be necessary to screen large panels of peptides with wide ranges of MHC binding affinities. The current methodology of stimulating peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from donors expressing the MHC molecule of interest with individual peptides is impractical for screening such large panels. Therefore, we evaluated the use of mixtures of peptides with variable MHC binding affinities for the induction of tumor-reactive T lymphocytes with the melanoma antigens gp100 and an alternate isoform of tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP2-6b) as models. A mixture of 10 known human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*0201-restricted peptides from gp100 induced melanoma-reactive cytotoxic T lymphoycte (CTL) from multiple patients with metastatic melanoma. The majority of these T cell populations recognized the known immunodominant epitopes gp100:209-217 and gp100:280-288, even though the HLA-A*0201 binding affinities of these peptides were much lower than other peptides in the mixture. Similarly, melanoma-reactive CTL were generated with a mixture of HLA-A*0201-restricted peptides from TRP2-6b, and these responses were directed against the previously identified tumor-associated epitopes TRP2-6b:180-188, TRP2-6b:288-296 and TRP2-6b:403-411. These results suggest that the use of peptide mixtures may facilitate the identification of new tumor-associated antigens through the application of reverse immunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Riley
- Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Room 2B42, Building 10, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892-1502, USA
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Paschen A, Méndez RM, Jimenez P, Sucker A, Ruiz-Cabello F, Song M, Garrido F, Schadendorf D. Complete loss of HLA class I antigen expression on melanoma cells: a result of successive mutational events. Int J Cancer 2003; 103:759-67. [PMID: 12516095 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.10906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in the surface expression of HLA class I molecules have been described as a strategy of tumors to evade recognition by cytotoxic T cells. We detected complete loss of HLA class I antigen presentation for 2 tumor cell lines from 1 melanoma patient, the first originated from a regional lymph node lesion diagnosed simultaneously with the primary tumor and the second established 8 months later from a metastatic pleural effusion sample. Antigen presentation was not inducible with IFN-gamma but could be restored after transfection of tumor cells with b2m cDNA, indicating a defect in b2m expression. Analysis of the nature of this defect revealed that it originated from at least 2 mutational events affecting both copies of the b2m gene: a microdeletion of 498 bp in one b2m gene, including its entire exon 1, and a macrodeletion involving the entire copy of the second b2m gene. Microsatellite analysis pointed to the macrodeletion by demonstrating LOH for several specific markers on the long arm (q) of chromosome 15. Structural imbalance of 15q was verified by FISH. FISH studies also indicated the coexistence of a structurally abnormal variant of chromosome 15q with 2 apparently entire chromosomes 15q harboring the homozygous b2m microdeletion. Block of b2m expression in tumor cells builds a barrier to immunotherapy of cancer patients, and its early incidence should be of major consideration in the development and design of immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Paschen
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center, University Hospital Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.
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Schirle M. Identification of tumor-associated HLA-ligands in the post-genomic era. JOURNAL OF HEMATOTHERAPY & STEM CELL RESEARCH 2002; 11:873-81. [PMID: 12590702 DOI: 10.1089/152581602321080538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Over 10 years ago, the identification of the first tumor-specific T cell epitope shed light on the molecular principles underlying the phenomenon of tumor eradication by the immune system. Since then, a considerable number of different approaches for this task have been introduced and employed successfully, reflecting the growing knowledge about the cellular processes preceding antigen presentation as well as significant technical developments. This review tries to give an overview over available conventional strategies as well as current developments that utilize the potent large-scale screening tools of the post-genomic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Schirle
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Germany.
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Scheibenbogen C, Sun Y, Keilholz U, Song M, Stevanovic S, Asemissen AM, Nagorsen D, Thiel E, Rammensee HG, Schadendorf D. Identification of known and novel immunogenic T-cell epitopes from tumor antigens recognized by peripheral blood T cells from patients responding to IL-2-based treatment. Int J Cancer 2002; 98:409-14. [PMID: 11920592 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.10205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In previous studies CD8+ T cells specific for melanocyte antigens have been frequently found in melanoma patients responding to interleukin-2 (IL-2)-based therapies. In our study we analyzed the suitability of using circulating T cells from melanoma patients with clinical response after IL-2-based therapy to identify novel T-cell epitopes from defined tumor antigens. Using unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) ELISPOT assay, we studied CD8(+) T-cell responses against 5 peptides from the tumor antigen tyrosinase (Tyr) selected by epitope prediction using an HLA-A1-binding computer algorithm. T cells specifically secreting IFN-gamma in response to 3 of these 5 peptides, namely, Tyr (454-463), Tyr (146-156) and Tyr (243-251), could be detected in 4 of 4 HLA-A1-positive patients with clinical response. In contrast, no T-cell responses against these peptides were seen in 6 HLA-A1-positive melanoma patients with progressive disease and in 8 healthy subjects. We could generate specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) against Tyr (454-463) using peptide-pulsed autologous dendritic cells as antigen-presenting cells. The induced CTLs efficiently killed melanoma cells that express HLA-A1 and tyrosinase. The peptides Tyr (146-156) and Tyr (243-251) had recently been identified as CTL epitopes by other groups. Further ex vivo characterization of the T cells reactive against the novel epitope Tyr (454-463) in 1 patient by multicolor flow cytometry showed specific CD3+/CD8+/IFN-gamma+ T cells with frequencies of up to 0.41% of the CD3+/CD8+ T-cell population. Most of this T-cell population also expressed granzyme B. Our data confirm that in patients with tumor regressions induced by immunotherapy or chemoimmunotherapy circulating T cells reactive with tyrosinase epitopes can frequently be detected. Peripheral blood T cells from such patients are a valuable source for screening peptides selected by epitope prediction This strategy facilitates the rapid identification of immunogenic T-cell epitopes that are probable targets of immune-mediated tumor rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Scheibenbogen
- Medizinische Klinik III, Hematology, Oncology and Transfusion Medicine, Universitaetsklinikum Benjamin Franklin, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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Khong HT, Rosenberg SA. Pre-existing immunity to tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-2, a new TRP-2 isoform, and the NY-ESO-1 melanoma antigen in a patient with a dramatic response to immunotherapy. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2002; 168:951-6. [PMID: 11777994 PMCID: PMC2430890 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.168.2.951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We have performed a detailed analysis of the recognition of melanoma Ags by the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) 1790, isolated from a patient who experienced a dramatic tumor regression following immunization with peptides from the gp100, MART-1, and tyrosinase Ags. This TIL was found to recognize HLA-A2-restricted CTL epitopes in tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-2 (clone MR7) and NY-ESO-1 (clone M8). These epitopes were the same as the previously identified nonapeptide TRP-2: 180-188, and the overlapping NY-ESO-1 peptides, obtained by using lymphocytes from in vitro stimulation. We also cloned a previously unknown TRP-2 mRNA isoform (TRP-2-6b) that contained two novel exons alternatively spliced from the sixth intron between exons 6 and 7 of TRP-2 mRNA. The isoform encoded an HLA-A2-restricted antigenic epitope recognized by TIL clone MB4. An immunologic analysis of the patient's PBMC obtained before treatment showed the presence of high reactivity against NY-ESO-1 and both TRP-2 Ags, but not the Ags used for immunization. Because immune response against these Ags was less pronounced, it is possible that NY-ESO-1, TRP-2, and TRP-2-6b may be of importance in the generation of CTL-mediated tumor destruction and may have played a role in the dramatic tumor regression seen in this patient.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Steven A. Rosenberg
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Steven A. Rosenberg, Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 2B42, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-1502. E-mail address:
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Schirle M, Weinschenk T, Stevanović S. Combining computer algorithms with experimental approaches permits the rapid and accurate identification of T cell epitopes from defined antigens. J Immunol Methods 2001; 257:1-16. [PMID: 11687234 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-1759(01)00459-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The identification of T cell epitopes from immunologically relevant antigens remains a critical step in the development of vaccines and methods for monitoring of T cell responses. This review presents an overview of strategies that employ computer algorithms for the selection of candidate peptides from defined proteins and subsequent verification of their in vivo relevance by experimental approaches. Several computer algorithms are currently being used for epitope prediction of various major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules, based either on the analysis of natural MHC ligands or on the binding properties of synthetic peptides. Moreover, the analysis of proteasomal digests of peptides and whole proteins has led to the development of algorithms for the prediction of proteasomal cleavages. In order to verify the generation of the predicted peptides during antigen processing in vivo as well as their immunogenic potential, several experimental approaches have been pursued in the recent past. Mass spectrometry-based bioanalytical approaches have been used specifically to detect predicted peptides among isolated natural ligands. Other strategies employ various methods for the stimulation of primary T cell responses against the predicted peptides and subsequent testing of the recognition pattern towards target cells that express the antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Schirle
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, D-72076, Tübingen, Germany
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