Selective identification of HLA-DP4 binding T cell epitopes encoded by the MAGE-A gene family

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2007 Jun;56(6):807-18. doi: 10.1007/s00262-006-0230-y. Epub 2006 Sep 20.

Abstract

Because of the high frequency of HLA-DP4 in the Caucasian population, we have selectively delineated HLA-DP4 restricted T cell epitopes in the MAGE-A tumor antigens. We identified 12 good binders to HLA-DP4 and investigated the capacity of the seven best binders to induce in vitro specific CD4+ T cell lines from HLA-DP4 healthy donors. We found that the MAGE-A1 90-104 peptide exhibited a high and constant frequency of CD4+ T cell precursors in all the six tested donors. The MAGE-A1 268-282 peptide was found immunogenic in only two donors but with a high precursor frequency. The MAGE-A12 127-141 peptide was T cell stimulating in six different donors and induced fewer T cell lines. The peptide-specific T cell lines were stimulated by DC loaded with the lysates of cells transfected with MAGE-A1 or MAGE-A12, or loaded with the recombinant protein. We also show that the immunoreactivity of CD4+ T cell epitopes restricted to the same HLA II molecule may vary from one individual to another, as a result of inter-individual variations in the CD4+ T cell repertoire.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • COS Cells
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • HLA-DP Antigens / immunology*
  • HLA-DP beta-Chains
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Melanoma-Specific Antigens
  • Neoplasm Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • HLA-DP Antigens
  • HLA-DP beta-Chains
  • HLA-DPw4 antigen
  • Melanoma-Specific Antigens
  • Neoplasm Proteins