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Daca-Alvarez M, Martí M, Spinelli A, de Miranda NFFC, Palles C, Vivas A, Lachtford A, Monahan K, Szczepkowski M, Tarnowski W, Makkai-Popa ST, Vidal R, López I, Hurtado E, Jiménez F, Jiménez-Toscano M, Álvaro E, Sanz G, Ballestero A, Melone S, Brandáriz L, Prieto I, García-Olmo D, Ocaña T, Moreira R, Moreno L, Carballal S, Moreira L, Pellisé M, González-Sarmiento R, Holowatyj AN, Perea J, Balaguer F, Martínez M, Moreno V, Ruffinelli JCJC, Inglada-Pérez L, Rueda J, Castellano V, Hernández-Villafranca S, Escanciano M, Cavero A, Portugal V, Domenech M, Jiménez L, Peligros I, Rey C, Zorrilla J, Cuatrecasas M, Sánchez A, Rivero-Sanchez L, Iglesias M, de Molina AR, Colmenarejo G, Espinosa-Salinas I, Fernández L, de Cedrón MG, Corchete L, García JL, García P, Hernández A, Martel A, Pérez J, Burdaspal A, de Fuenmayor M, Forero A, Rubio I, Fernández J, Pastor E, Villafañe A, Alonso O, Encinas S, Teijo A, Pastor C, Arredondo J, Baixauli J, Ceniceros L, Rodriguez J, Sánchez C, Die J, Fernández J, Ocaña J, Dziakova J, Picazo S, Sanz R, Suárez M, Alcazar J, García J, Urioste M, Malats N, Estudillo L, Pérez-Pérez J, Espín E, Marinello F, Kraft M, Landolfi S, Pares B, Verdaguer M, Valverde I, Narváez C, Borycka K, Gellert R, Kołacin D, Ziółkowski B, Curley H, Tomlinson I, Foppa C, Maroli A, Abdulrahman M, Nielsen M, Azagra J, Pascotto B, Ali M, Anele C, Faiz O, Uryszek M, Aseem R, Pawa N. Familial component of early-onset colorectal cancer: opportunity for prevention. Br J Surg 2022; 109:1319-1325. [PMID: 36108087 PMCID: PMC11004945 DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znac322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with a non-syndromic family history of colorectal cancer are known to have an increased risk. There is an opportunity to prevent early-onset colorectal cancer (age less than 50 years) (EOCRC) in this population. The aim was to explore the proportion of EOCRC that is preventable due to family history of colorectal cancer. METHODS This was a retrospective multicentre European study of patients with non-hereditary EOCRC. The impact of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE), U.S. Multi-Society Task Force (USMSTF), and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines on prevention and early diagnosis was compared. Colorectal cancer was defined as potentially preventable if surveillance colonoscopy would have been performed at least 5 years before the age of diagnosis of colorectal cancer, and diagnosed early if colonoscopy was undertaken between 1 and 4 years before the diagnosis. RESULTS Some 903 patients with EOCRC were included. Criteria for familial colorectal cancer risk in ESGE, USMSTF, and NCCN guidelines were met in 6.3, 9.4, and 30.4 per cent of patients respectively. Based on ESGE, USMSTF, and NCCN guidelines, colorectal cancer could potentially have been prevented in 41, 55, and 30.3 per cent of patients, and diagnosed earlier in 11, 14, and 21.1 per cent respectively. In ESGE guidelines, if surveillance had started 10 years before the youngest relative, there would be a significant increase in prevention (41 versus 55 per cent; P = 0.010). CONCLUSION ESGE, USMSTF, and NCCN criteria for familial colorectal cancer were met in 6.3, 9.4, and 30.4 per cent of patients with EOCRC respectively. In these patients, early detection and/or prevention could be achieved in 52, 70, and 51.4 per cent respectively. Early and accurate identification of familial colorectal cancer risk and increase in the uptake of early colonoscopy are key to decreasing familial EOCRC.
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Connelley T, Nicastri A, Sheldrake T, Vrettou C, Fisch A, Reynisson B, Buus S, Hill A, Morrison I, Nielsen M, Ternette N. Immunopeptidomic Analysis of BoLA-I and BoLA-DR Presented Peptides from Theileria parva Infected Cells. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10111907. [PMID: 36423003 PMCID: PMC9699068 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10111907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The apicomplexan parasite Theileria parva is the causative agent of East Coast fever, usually a fatal disease for cattle, which is prevalent in large areas of eastern, central, and southern Africa. Protective immunity against T. parva is mediated by CD8+ T cells, with CD4+ T-cells thought to be important in facilitating the full maturation and development of the CD8+ T-cell response. T. parva has a large proteome, with >4000 protein-coding genes, making T-cell antigen identification using conventional screening approaches laborious and expensive. To date, only a limited number of T-cell antigens have been described. Novel approaches for identifying candidate antigens for T. parva are required to replace and/or complement those currently employed. In this study, we report on the use of immunopeptidomics to study the repertoire of T. parva peptides presented by both BoLA-I and BoLA-DR molecules on infected cells. The study reports on peptides identified from the analysis of 13 BoLA-I and 6 BoLA-DR datasets covering a range of different BoLA genotypes. This represents the most comprehensive immunopeptidomic dataset available for any eukaryotic pathogen to date. Examination of the immunopeptidome data suggested the presence of a large number of coprecipitated and non-MHC-binding peptides. As part of the work, a pipeline to curate the datasets to remove these peptides was developed and used to generate a final list of 74 BoLA-I and 15 BoLA-DR-presented peptides. Together, the data demonstrated the utility of immunopeptidomics as a method to identify novel T-cell antigens for T. parva and the importance of careful curation and the application of high-quality immunoinformatics to parse the data generated.
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Clifford J, Høie MH, Deleuran S, Peters B, Nielsen M, Marcatili P. BepiPred‐3.0: Improved B‐cell epitope prediction using protein language models. Protein Sci 2022; 31:e4497. [DOI: 10.1002/pro.4497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Koşaloğlu-Yalçın Z, Blazeska N, Vita R, Carter H, Nielsen M, Schoenberger S, Sette A, Peters B. The Cancer Epitope Database and Analysis Resource (CEDAR). Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 51:D845-D852. [PMID: 36250634 PMCID: PMC9825495 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
We established The Cancer Epitope Database and Analysis Resource (CEDAR) to catalog all epitope data in the context of cancer. The specific molecular targets of adaptive T cell and B cell immune responses are referred to as epitopes. Epitopes derived from cancer antigens are of high relevance as they are recognized by anti-cancer immune cells. Detailed knowledge of the molecular characteristic of cancer epitopes and associated metadata is relevant to understanding and planning prophylactic and therapeutic applications and accurately characterizing naturally occurring immune responses and cancer immunopathology. CEDAR provides a freely accessible, comprehensive collection of cancer epitope and receptor data curated from the literature and serves as a companion site to the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB), which is focused on infectious, autoimmune, and allergic diseases. CEDAR is freely accessible at https://cedar.iedb.org/.
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Garcia Alvarez HM, Koşaloğlu-Yalçın Z, Peters B, Nielsen M. The role of antigen expression in shaping the repertoire of HLA presented ligands. iScience 2022; 25:104975. [PMID: 36060059 PMCID: PMC9437844 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) presentation of peptides is a prerequisite of T cell immune activation. The understanding of the rules defining this event has large implications for our knowledge of basic immunology and for the rational design of immuno-therapeutics and vaccines. Historically, most of the available prediction methods have been solely focused on the information related to antigen processing and presentation. Recent work has, however, demonstrated that method performance can be boosted by integrating information related to antigen abundance. Here we expand on these later findings and develop an extended version of NetMHCpan, called NetMHCpanExp, integrating information on antigen abundance from RNA-Seq experiments. In line with earlier works, the model demonstrates improved performance for both HLA ligand and cancer neoantigen epitope prediction. Optimal results are obtained by use of sample-specific abundance information but also reference datasets can be applied with a limited performance drop. The developed tool is available at https://services.healthtech.dtu.dk/service.php?NetMHCpanExp-1.0.
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Ma Y, Liu F, Li B, Peng K, Zhou H, Xu Y, Qiao D, Deng L, Tian G, Nielsen M, Wang M. Identification and assessment of TCR-T cells targeting an epitope conserved in SARS-CoV-2 variants for the treatment of COVID-19. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 112:109283. [PMID: 36201943 PMCID: PMC9515335 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to be a major global public health challenge, with the emergence of variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Current vaccines or monoclonal antibodies may not well be protect against infection with new SARS-CoV-2 variants. Unlike antibody-based treatment, T cell-based therapies such as TCR-T cells can target epitopes that are highly conserved across different SARS-CoV-2 variants. Reportedly, T cell-based immunity alone can restrict SARS-CoV-2 replication. Methods In this study, we identified two TCRs targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) protein in CD8 + T cells. Functional evaluation by transducing these TCRs into CD8 + or CD4 + T cells confirmed their specificity. Results Combinations of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines secreted by CD8 + and CD4 + T cells can help control COVID-19 in patients. Moreover, the targeted epitope is highly conserved in all emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the Omicron. It is also conserved in the seven coronaviruses that infect humans and more broadly in the subfamily Coronavirinae. Conclusions The pan-genera coverage of mutant epitopes from the Coronavirinae subfamily by the two TCRs highlights the unique strengths of TCR-T cell therapies in controlling the ongoing pandemic and in preparing for the next coronavirus outbreak.
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Nielsen M, Presti M, Sztupinszki Z, Jensen AWP, Draghi A, Chamberlain CA, Schina A, Yde CW, Wojcik J, Szallasi Z, Crowther MD, Svane IM, Donia M. Co-existing alterations of MHC class I antigen presentation and IFNγ signaling mediate acquired resistance of melanoma to post-PD-1 immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Res 2022; 10:1254-1262. [PMID: 35969233 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Responses to immunotherapy can be very durable but acquired resistance leading to tumor progression often occurs. We investigated a patient with melanoma resistant to anti-PD-1 who participated in the CA224-020 clinical trial (NCT01968109) and had further progression after an initial objective response to anti-PD-1 plus anti-LAG-3. We found consecutive acquisition of beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) loss and impaired Janus Kinase 1 (JAK1) signaling that co-existed in progressing tumor cells. Functional analyses revealed a pan T cell immune escape phenotype, where distinct alterations mediated independent immune resistance to tumor killing by autologous CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) (B2M loss) and CD4+ TILs (impaired JAK1 signaling). These findings shed light on the complexity of acquired resistance to immunotherapy in the post anti-PD-1 setting, indicating that co-existing altered pathways can lead to pan T cell immune escape.
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Trevizani R, Yan Z, Greenbaum JA, Sette A, Nielsen M, Peters B. A comprehensive analysis of the IEDB MHC class-I automated benchmark. Brief Bioinform 2022; 23:6632617. [PMID: 35794711 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbac259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2014, the Immune Epitope Database automated benchmark was created to compare the performance of the MHC class I binding predictors. However, this is not a straightforward process due to the different and non-standardized outputs of the methods. Additionally, some methods are more restrictive regarding the HLA alleles and epitope sizes for which they predict binding affinities, while others are more comprehensive. To address how these problems impacted the ranking of the predictors, we developed an approach to assess the reliability of different metrics. We found that using percentile-ranked results improved the stability of the ranks and allowed the predictors to be reliably ranked despite not being evaluated on the same data. We also found that given the rate new data are incorporated into the benchmark, a new method must wait for at least 4 years to be ranked against the pre-existing methods. The best-performing tools with statistically indistinguishable scores in this benchmark were NetMHCcons, NetMHCpan4.0, ANN3.4, NetMHCpan3.0 and NetMHCpan2.8. The results of this study will be used to improve the evaluation and display of benchmark performance. We highly encourage anyone working on MHC binding predictions to participate in this benchmark to get an unbiased evaluation of their predictors.
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Nielsen M, Monberg T, Albieri B, Sundvold V, Rekdal O, Junker N, Svane IM. LTX-315 and adoptive cell therapy using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma. J Clin Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.11567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
11567 Background: Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is a potent treatment that can induce complete and durable tumor regression as documented in patients with metastatic melanoma. To our knowledge, ACT has not been utilized for patients with metastatic soft-tissue sarcoma (STS). LTX-315 is an oncolytic peptide that has been shown to increase TILs in malignant tumors after intratumoral injection. In this trial, patients with metastatic sarcoma were treated with the combination of LTX-315 and TIL - based ACT. Methods: Patients with progressive metastatic STS after a minimum of one systemic treatment were eligible for inclusion. In step 1, patients received up to five treatments over 2-3 weeks with LTX-315 injections. Afterwards, the injected tumor was surgically removed, and TILs were expanded in vitro. In step 2, patients received preparative chemotherapy followed by infusion of the expanded TILs, and follow-up treatment with subcutaneous IL-2. The impact of LTX-315 on tumor microenvironment was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on biopsies collected before and after injections. Clinical effect of the treatment was assessed by follow-up CT-scans using RECIST 1.1. Exploratory analyses aimed at identifying tumor reactive T cells in the expanded TILs and in peripheral blood (PBMC) in the patients before and after treatment. Expanded TILs or PBMC were cocultured with autologous tumor or selected neo-peptides and reactivity was assessed by measurement by Elispot or flow cytometry. Results: Six patients received intratumoral injections with LTX-315. In 3 out of 5 samples available for IHC, increased infiltration of CD4+ cells following LTX-315 injections was observed. Four patients received the full treatment with both LTX-315 injections and ACT. Total number of infused cells was 44-63x109, comprising 0,4-52% CD8+ T cells. Treatment was tolerated with manageable toxicity. After completed treatment, all four patients had stable disease as best overall response. Two patients with leiomyosarcoma and solitary fibrous tumor had stable disease for 25 and 20 weeks, respectively. In these two patients, and one additional patient, Elispot analyses showed presence of tumor-reactive cells in the PBMC following treatment. Conclusions: This trial demonstrates that the combination of LTX-315 and ACT is feasible and tolerable with manageable toxicity. CD4+ and CD8+ TILs can be expanded in vitro from sarcomas that have been pretreated with the oncolytic peptide LTX-315. Furthermore, the data suggest that LTX-315 can modulate the tumor microenvironment in sarcomas, thus potentially affect the expanded TILs that can be used for ACT. Further optimization of the treatment schedule will position LTX-315 as technology to invoke tumor specific T cells that can be cultured and infused as part of an adoptive transfer regimen for several subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma. Clinical trial information: NCT03725605.
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Høie MH, Kiehl EN, Petersen B, Nielsen M, Winther O, Nielsen H, Hallgren J, Marcatili P. NetSurfP-3.0: accurate and fast prediction of protein structural features by protein language models and deep learning. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:W510-W515. [PMID: 35648435 PMCID: PMC9252760 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in machine learning and natural language processing have made it possible to profoundly advance our ability to accurately predict protein structures and their functions. While such improvements are significantly impacting the fields of biology and biotechnology at large, such methods have the downside of high demands in terms of computing power and runtime, hampering their applicability to large datasets. Here, we present NetSurfP-3.0, a tool for predicting solvent accessibility, secondary structure, structural disorder and backbone dihedral angles for each residue of an amino acid sequence. This NetSurfP update exploits recent advances in pre-trained protein language models to drastically improve the runtime of its predecessor by two orders of magnitude, while displaying similar prediction performance. We assessed the accuracy of NetSurfP-3.0 on several independent test datasets and found it to consistently produce state-of-the-art predictions for each of its output features, with a runtime that is up to to 600 times faster than the most commonly available methods performing the same tasks. The tool is freely available as a web server with a user-friendly interface to navigate the results, as well as a standalone downloadable package.
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Olloni A, Hansen O, Kristiansen C, Edvardsson L, Nielsen M, Jeppesen S, Schytte T. PO-1140 Survival after stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases – A single-institution experience. Radiother Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(22)03104-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Nowicka-Matus K, Friborg J, Hansen C, Andersen E, Bernsdorf M, Elstrøm U, Farhadi M, Grau C, Eriksen J, Johansen J, Nielsen M, Petersen J, Samsøe E, Sibolt P, Smulders B, Jensen K. OC-0089 Acute toxicities in proton therapy of head-neck cancer – a matched analysis of DAHANCA 35 pilot data. Radiother Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(22)02465-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Josipovic M, van Overeem Felter M, Ottosson W, Worm E, Sand H, Nielsen M, Bjørn Nielsen T, Slot Thing R, Fredberg Persson G. PO-1659 Participation in clinical trials improved harmonization of dosimetric parameters applied in SBRT. Radiother Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-8140(22)03623-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Vedaa Ø, Djupedal ILR, Svensen E, Waage S, Bjorvatn B, Pallesen S, Lie SA, Nielsen M, Harris A. Health-promoting work schedules: protocol for a large-scale cluster randomised controlled trial on the effects of a work schedule without quick returns on sickness absence among healthcare workers. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e058309. [PMID: 35428642 PMCID: PMC9014074 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In shift work, quick returns refer to transitions between two shifts with less than 11 hours available rest time. Twenty-three per cent of employees in European countries reported having quick returns. Quick returns are related to short sleep duration, fatigue, sleepiness, work-related accidents and sickness absence. The present study is the first randomised controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the effect of a work schedule without quick returns for 6 months, compared with a work schedule that maintains quick returns during the same time frame. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A parallel-group cluster RCT in a target sample of more than 4000 healthcare workers at Haukeland University Hospital in Norway will be conducted. More than 70 hospital units will be assessed for eligibility and randomised to a work schedule without quick returns for 6 months or continue with a schedule that maintains quick returns. The primary outcome is objective records of sickness absence; secondary outcomes are questionnaire data (n≈4000 invited) on sleep and functioning, physical and psychological health, work-related accidents and turnover intention. For a subsample, sleep diaries and objective sleep registrations with radar technology (n≈ 50) will be collected. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study protocol was approved by the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics in Western Norway (2020/200386). Findings from the trial will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. Exploratory analyses of potential mediators and moderators will be reported. User-friendly outputs will be disseminated to relevant stakeholders, unions and other relevant societal groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04693182.
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Nielsen M, Ternette N, Barra C. The interdependence of machine learning and LC-MS approaches for an unbiased understanding of the cellular immunopeptidome. Expert Rev Proteomics 2022; 19:77-88. [PMID: 35390265 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2022.2064278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The comprehensive collection of peptides presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules on the cell surface is collectively known as the immunopeptidome. The analysis and interpretation of such data sets holds great promise for furthering our understanding of basic immunology and adaptive immune activation and regulation, and for direct rational discovery of T cell antigens and the design of T-cell based therapeutics and vaccines. These applications are however challenged by the complex nature of immunopeptidome data. AREAS COVERED Here, we describe the benefits and shortcomings of applying liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (MS) to obtain large scale immunopeptidome data sets and illustrate how the accurate analysis and optimal interpretation of such data is reliant on the availability of refined and highly optimized machine learning approaches. EXPERT OPINION Further we demonstrate how the accuracy of immunoinformatics prediction methods within the field of MHC antigen presentation has benefited greatly from the availability of MS-immunopeptidomics data, and exemplify how optimal antigen discovery is best performed in a synergistic combination of MS experiments and such in silico models trained on large scale immunopeptidomics data.
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Khilji MS, Faridi P, Pinheiro-Machado E, Hoefner C, Dahlby T, Aranha R, Buus S, Nielsen M, Klusek J, Mandrup-Poulsen T, Pandey K, Purcell AW, Marzec MT. Defective Proinsulin Handling Modulates the MHC I Bound Peptidome and Activates the Inflammasome in β-Cells. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040814. [PMID: 35453564 PMCID: PMC9024965 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
How immune tolerance is lost to pancreatic β-cell peptides triggering autoimmune type 1 diabetes is enigmatic. We have shown that loss of the proinsulin chaperone glucose-regulated protein (GRP) 94 from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) leads to mishandling of proinsulin, ER stress, and activation of the immunoproteasome. We hypothesize that inadequate ER proinsulin folding capacity relative to biosynthetic need may lead to an altered β-cell major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-I bound peptidome and inflammasome activation, sensitizing β-cells to immune attack. We used INS-1E cells with or without GRP94 knockout (KO), or in the presence or absence of GRP94 inhibitor PU-WS13 (GRP94i, 20 µM), or exposed to proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β or interferon gamma (IFNγ) (15 pg/mL and 10 ng/mL, respectively) for 24 h. RT1.A (rat MHC I) expression was evaluated using flow cytometry. The total RT1.A-bound peptidome analysis was performed on cell lysates fractionated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), followed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine rich repeat and pyrin domain containing protein (NLRP1), nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor alpha (IκBα), and (pro) IL-1β expression and secretion were investigated by Western blotting. GRP94 KO increased RT1.A expression in β-cells, as did cytokine exposure compared to relevant controls. Immunopeptidome analysis showed increased RT1.A-bound peptide repertoire in GRP94 KO/i cells as well as in the cells exposed to cytokines. The GRP94 KO/cytokine exposure groups showed partial overlap in their peptide repertoire. Notably, proinsulin-derived peptide diversity increased among the total RT1.A peptidome in GRP94 KO/i along with cytokines exposure. NLRP1 expression was upregulated in GRP94 deficient cells along with decreased IκBα content while proIL-1β cellular levels declined, coupled with increased secretion of mature IL-1β. Our results suggest that limiting β-cell proinsulin chaperoning enhances RT1.A expression alters the MHC-I peptidome including proinsulin peptides and activates inflammatory pathways, suggesting that stress associated with impeding proinsulin handling may sensitize β-cells to immune-attack.
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Wright DW, Harvey WT, Hughes J, Cox M, Peacock TP, Colquhoun R, Jackson B, Orton R, Nielsen M, Hsu NS, Harrison EM, de Silva TI, Rambaut A, Peacock SJ, Robertson DL, Carabelli AM. Tracking SARS-CoV-2 mutations and variants through the COG-UK-Mutation Explorer. Virus Evol 2022; 8:veac023. [PMID: 35502202 PMCID: PMC9037374 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veac023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
COG-UK Mutation Explorer (COG-UK-ME, https://sars2.cvr.gla.ac.uk/cog-uk/-last accessed date 16 March 2022) is a web resource that displays knowledge and analyses on SARS-CoV-2 virus genome mutations and variants circulating in the UK, with a focus on the observed amino acid replacements that have an antigenic role in the context of the human humoral and cellular immune response. This analysis is based on more than 2 million genome sequences (as of March 2022) for UK SARS-CoV-2 data held in the CLIMB-COVID centralised data environment. COG-UK-ME curates these data and displays analyses that are cross-referenced to experimental data collated from the primary literature. The aim is to track mutations of immunological importance that are accumulating in current variants of concern and variants of interest that could alter the neutralising activity of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), convalescent sera, and vaccines. Changes in epitopes recognised by T cells, including those where reduced T cell binding has been demonstrated, are reported. Mutations that have been shown to confer SARS-CoV-2 resistance to antiviral drugs are also included. Using visualisation tools, COG-UK-ME also allows users to identify the emergence of variants carrying mutations that could decrease the neutralising activity of both mAbs present in therapeutic cocktails, e.g. Ronapreve. COG-UK-ME tracks changes in the frequency of combinations of mutations and brings together the curated literature on the impact of those mutations on various functional aspects of the virus and therapeutics. Given the unpredictable nature of SARS-CoV-2 as exemplified by yet another variant of concern, Omicron, continued surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 remains imperative to monitor virus evolution linked to the efficacy of therapeutics.
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Gokuldass A, Schina A, Lauss M, Harbst K, Chamberlain CA, Draghi A, Westergaard MCW, Nielsen M, Papp K, Sztupinszki Z, Csabai I, Svane IM, Szallasi Z, Jönsson G, Donia M. Transcriptomic signatures of tumors undergoing T cell attack. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 71:553-563. [PMID: 34272988 PMCID: PMC10992966 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-03015-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studying tumor cell-T cell interactions in the tumor microenvironment (TME) can elucidate tumor immune escape mechanisms and help predict responses to cancer immunotherapy. METHODS We selected 14 pairs of highly tumor-reactive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and autologous short-term cultured cell lines, covering four distinct tumor types, and co-cultured TILs and tumors at sub-lethal ratios in vitro to mimic the interactions occurring in the TME. We extracted gene signatures associated with a tumor-directed T cell attack based on transcriptomic data of tumor cells. RESULTS An autologous T cell attack induced pronounced transcriptomic changes in the attacked tumor cells, partially independent of IFN-γ signaling. Transcriptomic changes were mostly independent of the tumor histological type and allowed identifying common gene expression changes, including a shared gene set of 55 transcripts influenced by T cell recognition (Tumors undergoing T cell attack, or TuTack, focused gene set). TuTack scores, calculated from tumor biopsies, predicted the clinical outcome after anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 therapy in multiple tumor histologies. Notably, the TuTack scores did not correlate to the tumor mutational burden, indicating that these two biomarkers measure distinct biological phenomena. CONCLUSIONS The TuTack scores measure the effects on tumor cells of an anti-tumor immune response and represent a comprehensive method to identify immunologically responsive tumors. Our findings suggest that TuTack may allow patient selection in immunotherapy clinical trials and warrant its application in multimodal biomarker strategies.
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Koşaloğlu-Yalçın Z, Lee J, Greenbaum J, Schoenberger SP, Miller A, Kim YJ, Sette A, Nielsen M, Peters B. Combined assessment of MHC binding and antigen abundance improves T cell epitope predictions. iScience 2022; 25:103850. [PMID: 35128348 PMCID: PMC8806398 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Many steps of the MHC class I antigen processing pathway can be predicted using computational methods. Here we show that epitope predictions can be further improved by considering abundance levels of peptides' source proteins. We utilized biophysical principles and existing MHC binding prediction tools in concert with abundance estimates of source proteins to derive a function that estimates the likelihood of a peptide to be an MHC class I ligand. We found that this combination improved predictions for both naturally eluted ligands and cancer neoantigen epitopes. We compared the use of different measures of antigen abundance, including mRNA expression by RNA-Seq, gene translation by Ribo-Seq, and protein abundance by proteomics on a dataset of SARS-CoV-2 epitopes. Epitope predictions were improved above binding predictions alone in all cases and gave the highest performance when using proteomic data. Our results highlight the value of incorporating antigen abundance levels to improve epitope predictions.
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Kaabinejadian S, Barra C, Alvarez B, Yari H, Hildebrand WH, Nielsen M. Accurate MHC Motif Deconvolution of Immunopeptidomics Data Reveals a Significant Contribution of DRB3, 4 and 5 to the Total DR Immunopeptidome. Front Immunol 2022; 13:835454. [PMID: 35154160 PMCID: PMC8826445 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.835454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Mass spectrometry (MS) based immunopeptidomics is used in several biomedical applications including neo-epitope discovery in oncology, next-generation vaccine development and protein-drug immunogenicity assessment. Immunopeptidome data are highly complex given the expression of multiple HLA alleles on the cell membrane and presence of co-immunoprecipitated contaminants. The absence of tools that deal with these challenges effectively and guide the analysis and interpretation of this complex type of data is currently a major bottleneck for the large-scale application of this technique. To resolve this, we here present the MHCMotifDecon that benefits from state-of-the-art HLA class-I and class-II predictions to accurately deconvolute immunopeptidome datasets and assign individual ligands to the most likely HLA molecule, allowing to identify and characterize HLA binding motifs while discarding co-purified contaminants. We have benchmarked the tool against other state-of-the-art methods and illustrated its application on experimental datasets for HLA-DR demonstrating a previously underappreciated role for HLA-DRB3/4/5 molecules in defining HLA class II immune repertoires. With its ease of use, MHCMotifDecon can efficiently guide interpretation of immunopeptidome datasets, serving the discovery of novel T cell targets. MHCMotifDecon is available at https://services.healthtech.dtu.dk/service.php?MHCMotifDecon-1.0.
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Hansen O, Boes MB, Schytte T, Nielsen TB, Jeppesen SS, Nielsen M. Survival after palliative radiotherapy in nondisseminated nonsmall cell lung cancer treated with 30 Gy in 10 fractions or 39 Gy in 13 fractions using conformal technique. Acta Oncol 2022; 61:193-196. [PMID: 34986733 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2021.2022205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Held MK, Hansen O, Schytte T, Hansen KH, Bahij R, Nielsen M, Nielsen TB, Jeppesen SS. Outcomes of prophylactic cranial irradiation in patients with small cell lung cancer in the modern era of baseline magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Acta Oncol 2022; 61:185-192. [PMID: 34583620 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2021.1974553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For decades many patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) have been offered prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) to prevent brain metastases (BM). However, the role of PCI is debated in the modern era of increased brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) availability. BM in SCLC patients may respond to chemotherapy, and if a negative MRI is used in the decision to use of PCI in the treatment strategy, the timing of brain MRI may be crucial when evaluating the effect of PCI. This retrospective study investigates the impact of PCI outcomes in patients with SCLC staged with brain MRI prior to chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study included 245 patients diagnosed SCLC/mixed NSCLC-SCLC treated between 2012 and 2019. The population was analyzed separately for limited disease (LS-SCLC) and extensive disease (ES-SCLC). Patients were divided into groups based on baseline brain MRI prior to chemotherapy and PCI. The primary endpoint was time to symptomatic BM. Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS In patients with LS-SCLC staged with brain MRI the probability of developing symptomatic BM at one year was 4% vs. 22% (p < 0.05), median OS was 55 vs. 24 months (p < 0.05), and median PFS was 30 vs. 10 months (p < 0.05) with and without PCI, respectively. No differences in probability of symptomatic BM and survival outcomes were observed in ES-SCLC. In a multivariate regression analysis, no variables were statistically significant associated with the risk of developing symptomatic BM in patients with LS-SCLC and ES-SCLC. For patients with ES-SCLC staged with brain MRI, PS (HR = 3.33, CI; 1.41-7.89, p < 0.05) was associated with poor survival. CONCLUSION This study found that PCI in LS-SCLC patients staged with brain MRI had lower incidence of symptomatic BM and improved survival outcomes suggesting PCI as standard of care. Similar benefit of PCI in patients with ES-SCLC was not found.
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Gueniche A, Nielsen M. Introduction to probiotic fractions and Vichy volcanic mineralizing water: two key ingredients for stressed skin. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2022; 36 Suppl 2:3-4. [PMID: 34979588 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.17783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Gueniche A, Valois A, Salomao Calixto L, Sanchez Hevia O, Labatut F, Kerob D, Nielsen M. A dermocosmetic formulation containing Vichy volcanic mineralizing water, Vitreoscilla filiformis extract, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E regenerates and repairs acutely stressed skin. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2022; 36 Suppl 2:26-34. [PMID: 34979590 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.17785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The exposome has an impact on skin from life-long exposure. Acute short-term exposure to exposome stressors can also alter skin functions such as skin physical barrier and immune defenses, leading to skin dryness, sensitivity, flares of inflammatory skin conditions, or viral reactivations. Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. An extract produced by lysing Vitreoscilla filiformis (VfeV) cultured in Vichy volcanic mineralizing water (VVMW) has properties of probiotic fractions. In this review, we present in vivo and ex vivo studies with a dermocosmetic formulation containing 80% VVMW, 5% VfeV, 4% niacinamide (vitamin B3), 0.4% hyaluronic acid, and 0.2% vitamin E (M89PF) to evaluate the clinical efficacy in preventing and repairing stressed skin. Skin barrier benefits of M89PF were shown in studies after the skin was exposed to sudden thermal changes, after skin irritation by tape stripping, and in sleep-deprived women. M89PF significantly accelerated skin renewal compared to untreated skin. Skin antioxidant defense activity of M89PF was shown after exposure to stress from UVA plus cigarette smoke aggression. Skin microbiome recovery after acute stress from a harsh cleanser was significantly better in M89PF-treated skin compared to bare skin. Clinical benefits of M89PF on correcting clinical signs of stressed skin were shown in both Caucasian and Asian women exposed to a stressful lifestyle and various external (pollution, tobacco smoking, solar radiation) and internal (poor sleep, stressful work, unbalanced diet, and alcohol consumption) exposome factors. M89PF also showed depigmenting properties on dark spots in Asian women. Further clinical studies are now warranted to evaluate the efficacy of M89PF as adjuvant care to prevent and repair skin barrier disruption and reinforce skin defenses in skin exposed to acute stresses.
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Gueniche A, Valois A, Kerob D, Rasmont V, Nielsen M. A combination of Vitreoscilla filiformis extract and Vichy volcanic mineralizing water strengthens the skin defenses and skin barrier. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2022; 36 Suppl 2:16-25. [PMID: 34979591 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.17786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Probiotics are live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. Semiactive, non-replicating bacteria or extracts used in dermocosmetics have interesting properties for skin quality. Vitreoscilla filiformis is cultured by a fermentation process to obtain an extract. It is considered as a probiotic fraction and topical application of this extract has shown activity to strengthen the skin physical barrier function and maintain good homeostasis of skin defenses. Vichy volcanic mineralizing water (VVMW) is a pure, highly mineralized water that has been shown to strengthen the skin against exposome aggressions. This manuscript reviews properties of probiotic fractions used in skin care, especially studies on an extract of V. filiformis grown in a medium containing VVMW (VfeV) and evaluated in combination with VVMW. Skin barrier function: In normal human epidermal keratinocyte cultures, the combination of 10% VVMW and 0.002% VfeV significantly increased transglutaminase, filaggrin, involucrin, claudin-1, and zonula occludens-1 in comparison with the controls. Antimicrobial peptide defenses: The combination of 16.7% VVMW and 0.1% VfeV increased the expression of β-defensin-4A and S100A7. Skin immune defense functions: In lipopolysaccharide-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the combination of 16.7% VVMW and 0.1% VfeV down-regulated IL-8, TNF-α, IL-12/IL-23p40, and increased IL10 and IL-10/IL-12 ratio compared to the control. Additionally, the combination of 79% VVMW plus 5% VfeV protected Langerhans cells in skin explants exposed to ultraviolet radiation. In conclusion, the combination of VfeV plus VVMW has properties to strengthen the skin barrier by stimulating skin differentiation and tight junctions, biochemical defenses by stimulating antimicrobial peptides, and cellular immune defenses by increasing the IL-10/IL-12 ratio and by protecting Langerhans cells challenged by ultraviolet radiation.
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