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State of the art in epitope mapping and opportunities in COVID-19. Future Sci OA 2023; 16:FSO832. [PMID: 36897962 PMCID: PMC9987558 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2022-0048] [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: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The understanding of any disease calls for studying specific biological structures called epitopes. One important tool recently drawing attention and proving efficiency in both diagnosis and vaccine development is epitope mapping. Several techniques have been developed with the urge to provide precise epitope mapping for use in designing sensitive diagnostic tools and developing rpitope-based vaccines (EBVs) as well as therapeutics. In this review, we will discuss the state of the art in epitope mapping with a special emphasis on accomplishments and opportunities in combating COVID-19. These comprise SARS-CoV-2 variant analysis versus the currently available immune-based diagnostic tools and vaccines, immunological profile-based patient stratification, and finally, exploring novel epitope targets for potential prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic agents for COVID-19.
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2
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van Zelm MC, McKenzie CI, Varese N, Rolland JM, O’Hehir RE. Advances in allergen-specific immune cell measurements for improved detection of allergic sensitization and immunotherapy responses. Allergy 2021; 76:3374-3382. [PMID: 34355403 DOI: 10.1111/all.15036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, precision medicine has advanced diagnostics and treatment of allergic diseases. Component-resolved analysis of allergen sensitization facilitates stratification of patients. Furthermore, new formulations of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) products can more effectively deliver the relevant components. Molecular insights from the identification of allergen component sensitization and clinical outcomes of treatment with new AIT formulations can now be utilized for a deeper understanding of the nature of the pathogenic immune response in allergy and how this can be corrected by AIT. Fundamental in these processes are the allergen-specific B and T cells. Within the large B- and T-cell compartments, only those that specifically recognize the allergen with their immunoglobulin (Ig) or T-cell receptor (TCR), respectively, are of clinical relevance. With peripheral blood allergen-specific B- and T-cell frequencies below 1%, bulk cell analysis is typically insufficiently sensitive. We here review the latest technologies to detect allergen-specific B and T cells, as well as new developments in utilizing these tools for diagnostics and therapy monitoring to advance precision medicine for allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menno C. van Zelm
- Department of Immunology and Pathology Central Clinical School Monash University Melbourne VIC Australia
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine Central Clinical School Monash University, and Alfred Hospital Melbourne VIC Australia
| | - Craig I. McKenzie
- Department of Immunology and Pathology Central Clinical School Monash University Melbourne VIC Australia
| | - Nirupama Varese
- Department of Immunology and Pathology Central Clinical School Monash University Melbourne VIC Australia
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine Central Clinical School Monash University, and Alfred Hospital Melbourne VIC Australia
| | - Jennifer M. Rolland
- Department of Immunology and Pathology Central Clinical School Monash University Melbourne VIC Australia
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine Central Clinical School Monash University, and Alfred Hospital Melbourne VIC Australia
| | - Robyn E. O’Hehir
- Department of Immunology and Pathology Central Clinical School Monash University Melbourne VIC Australia
- Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine Central Clinical School Monash University, and Alfred Hospital Melbourne VIC Australia
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3
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Wang HP, Wang ZG, Liu SL. Current status and future trends of vaccine development against viral infection and disease. NEW J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1039/d1nj00996f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
This paper focuses on the classification and representative studies of viral vaccines and future directions of vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Peng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences
- College of Chemistry
- and School of Medicine
| | - Zhi-Gang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences
- College of Chemistry
- and School of Medicine
| | - Shu-Lin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences
- College of Chemistry
- and School of Medicine
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4
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Sidney J, Peters B, Sette A. Epitope prediction and identification- adaptive T cell responses in humans. Semin Immunol 2020; 50:101418. [PMID: 33131981 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2020.101418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Epitopes, in the context of T cell recognition, are short peptides typically derived by antigen processing, and presented on the cell surface bound to MHC molecules (HLA molecules in humans) for TCR scrutiny. The identification of epitopes is a context-dependent process, with consideration given to, for example, the source pathogen and protein, the host organism, and state of the immune reaction (e.g., following natural infection, vaccination, etc.). In the following review, we consider the various approaches used to define T cell epitopes, including both bioinformatic and experimental approaches, and discuss the concepts of immunodominance and immunoprevalence. We also discuss HLA polymorphism and epitope restriction, and the resulting impact on the identification of, and potential population coverage afforded by, epitopes or epitope-based vaccines. Finally, some examples of the practical application of T cell epitope identification are provided, showing how epitopes have been valuable for deriving novel immunological insights in the context of the immune response to various pathogens and allergens.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Sidney
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Bjoern Peters
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Alessandro Sette
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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5
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Pastore G, Carraro M, Pettini E, Nolfi E, Medaglini D, Ciabattini A. Optimized Protocol for the Detection of Multifunctional Epitope-Specific CD4 + T Cells Combining MHC-II Tetramer and Intracellular Cytokine Staining Technologies. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2304. [PMID: 31649661 PMCID: PMC6794358 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Analysis of multifunctional CD4+ T cells is fundamental for characterizing the immune responses to vaccination or infection. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)/peptide tetramers represent a powerful technology for the detection of antigen-specific T cells by specific binding to their T-cell receptor, and their combination with functional assays is fundamental for characterizing the antigen-specific immune response. Here we optimized a protocol for the detection of multiple intracellular cytokines within epitope-specific CD4+ T cells identified by the MHC class II tetramer technology. The optimal procedure for assessing the functional activity of tetramer-binding CD4+ T cells was based on the simultaneous intracellular staining with both MHC tetramers and cytokine-specific antibodies upon in vitro restimulation of cells with the vaccine antigen. The protocol was selected among procedures that differently combine the steps of cellular restimulation and tetramer staining with intracellular cytokine labeling. This method can be applied to better understand the complex functional profile of CD4+ T-cell responses upon vaccination or infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Annalisa Ciabattini
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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6
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Ahmad TA, Eweida AE, El-Sayed LH. T-cell epitope mapping for the design of powerful vaccines. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vacrep.2016.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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7
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A subset of virus-specific CD161 + T cells selectively express the multidrug transporter MDR1 and are resistant to chemotherapy in AML. Blood 2016; 129:740-758. [PMID: 27821506 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2016-05-713347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The establishment of long-lived pathogen-specific T cells is a fundamental property of the adaptive immune response. However, the mechanisms underlying long-term persistence of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells are not well-defined. Here we identify a subset of memory CD4+ T cells capable of effluxing cellular toxins, including rhodamine (Rho), through the multidrug efflux protein MDR1 (also known as P-glycoprotein and ABCB1). Drug-effluxing CD4+ T cells were characterized as CD161+CD95+CD45RA-CD127hiCD28+CD25int cells with a distinct chemokine profile and a Th1-polarized pro-inflammatory phenotype. CD4+CD161+Rho-effluxing T cells proliferated vigorously in response to stimulation with anti-CD3/CD28 beads and gave rise to CD161- progeny in vitro. These cells were also capable of self-renewal and maintained their phenotypic and functional characteristics when cultured with homeostatic cytokines. Multidrug-effluxing CD4+CD161+ T cells were enriched within the viral-specific Th1 repertoire of healthy donors and patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and survived exposure to daunorubicin chemotherapy in vitro. Multidrug-effluxing CD4+CD161+ T cells also resisted chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity in vivo and underwent significant expansion in AML patients rendered lymphopenic after chemotherapy, contributing to the repopulation of anti-CMV immunity. Finally, after influenza vaccination, the proportion of influenza-specific CD4+ T cells coexpressing CD161 was significantly higher after 2 years compared with 4 weeks after immunization, suggesting CD161 is a marker for long-lived antigen-specific memory T cells. These findings suggest that CD4+CD161+ T cells with rapid efflux capacity contribute to the maintenance of viral-specific memory T cells. These data provide novel insights into mechanisms that preserve antiviral immunity in patients undergoing chemotherapy and have implications for the development of novel immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Van Hemelen D, Mahler V, Fischer G, Fae I, Reichl-Leb V, Pickl W, Jutel M, Smolinska S, Ebner C, Bohle B, Jahn-Schmid B. HLA class II peptide tetramers vs allergen-induced proliferation for identification of allergen-specific CD4 T cells. Allergy 2015; 70:49-58. [PMID: 25236500 DOI: 10.1111/all.12524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fluorescence-labeled MHC class II/peptide tetramer complexes are considered as optimal tools to characterize allergen-specific CD4(+) T cells, but this technique is restricted to frequently expressed HLA class II molecules and knowledge of immunodominant epitopes. In contrast, allergen-stimulated proliferation assessed by CFSE dilution is less sophisticated and widely applicable. The major mugwort allergen, Art v 1, contains only one single, immunodominant, HLA-DR1-restricted epitope (Art v 125-36 ). Thus, essentially all Art v 1-reactive cells should be identified by a HLA-DRB1*01:01/Art v 119-36 tetramer. METHODS We compared specificity and sensitivity of tetramer(+) and allergen-induced proliferating (CFSE(lo) ) CD4(+) T cells by flow cytometry. RESULTS The frequency of tetramer(+) CD4(+) T cells determined ex vivo in PBMC of mugwort-allergic individuals ranged from 0 to 0.029%. After 2-3 weeks of in vitro expansion, sufficient tetramer(+) T cells for phenotyping were detected in 83% of Art v 125-36 -reactive T-cell lines (TCL) from mugwort-allergic individuals, but not in TCL from healthy individuals. The tetramers defined bona fide Th2 cells. Notably, Art v 125-36 -reactive TCL depleted of tetramer(+) T cells still reacted to the peptide, and only 44% of Art v 125-36 -specific T-cell clones were detected by the tetramer. CFSE(lo) CD4(+) T cells contained only 0.3-10.7% of tetramer(+) T cells and very low proportions of Th2 cells. CONCLUSION Allergen-specific T cells can be identified by HLA class II tetramers with high specificity, but unexpected low sensitivity. In contrast, allergen-stimulated CFSE(lo) CD4(+) T cells contain extremely high fractions of bystander cells. Therefore, for T-cell monitoring, either method should be interpreted with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Van Hemelen
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research; Center for Pathophysiology; Infectiology and Immunology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - V. Mahler
- Department of Dermatology; University of Erlangen; Erlangen Germany
| | - G. Fischer
- Department of Blood Group Serology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - I. Fae
- Department of Blood Group Serology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - V. Reichl-Leb
- Institute of Immunology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Immunomodulation; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - W. Pickl
- Institute of Immunology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Immunomodulation; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - M. Jutel
- Department of Clinical Immunology; Wroclaw Medical University and ‘ALL-MED’ Medical Research Institute; Wroclaw Poland
| | - S. Smolinska
- Department of Clinical Immunology; Wroclaw Medical University and ‘ALL-MED’ Medical Research Institute; Wroclaw Poland
| | - C. Ebner
- Allergieambulatorium Reumannplatz; Vienna Austria
| | - B. Bohle
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research; Center for Pathophysiology; Infectiology and Immunology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Immunomodulation; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
| | - B. Jahn-Schmid
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research; Center for Pathophysiology; Infectiology and Immunology; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna Austria
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Massilamany C, Gangaplara A, Jia T, Elowsky C, Li Q, Zhou Y, Reddy J. In situ detection of autoreactive CD4 T cells in brain and heart using major histocompatibility complex class II dextramers. J Vis Exp 2014:e51679. [PMID: 25145797 PMCID: PMC4389722 DOI: 10.3791/51679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This report demonstrates the use of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II dextramers for detection of autoreactive CD4 T cells in situ in myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) 139-151-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in SJL mice and cardiac myosin heavy chain-α (Myhc) 334-352-induced experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) in A/J mice. Two sets of cocktails of dextramer reagents were used, where dextramers(+) cells were analyzed by laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM): EAE, IA(s)/PLP 139-151 dextramers (specific)/anti-CD4 and IA(s)/Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) 70-86 dextramers (control)/anti-CD4; and EAM, IA(k)/Myhc 334-352 dextramers/anti-CD4 and IA(k)/bovine ribonuclease (RNase) 43-56 dextramers (control)/anti-CD4. LSCM analysis of brain sections obtained from EAE mice showed the presence of cells positive for CD4 and PLP 139-151 dextramers, but not TMEV 70-86 dextramers suggesting that the staining obtained with PLP 139-151 dextramers was specific. Likewise, heart sections prepared from EAM mice also revealed the presence of Myhc 334-352, but not RNase 43-56-dextramer(+) cells as expected. Further, a comprehensive method has also been devised to quantitatively analyze the frequencies of antigen-specific CD4 T cells in the 'Z' serial images.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arunakumar Gangaplara
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
| | - Ting Jia
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
| | | | - Qingsheng Li
- Nebraska Center for Virology and School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
| | - You Zhou
- Center for Biotechnology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
| | - Jay Reddy
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln;
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10
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Massilamany C, Gangaplara A, Jia T, Elowsky C, Kang G, Riethoven JJ, Li Q, Zhou Y, Reddy J. Direct staining with major histocompatibility complex class II dextramers permits detection of antigen-specific, autoreactive CD4 T cells in situ. PLoS One 2014; 9:e87519. [PMID: 24475302 PMCID: PMC3903673 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We report here the utility of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II dextramers for in situ detection of self-reactive CD4 T cells in two target organs, the brain and heart. We optimized the conditions for in situ detection of antigen-specific CD4 T cells using brain sections obtained from SJL mice immunized with myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) 139–151; the sections were costained with IAs/PLP 139–151 (specific) or Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) 70–86 (control) dextramers and anti-CD4. Analysis of sections by laser scanning confocal microscope revealed detection of cells positive for PLP 139–151 but not for TMEV 70–86 dextramers to be colocalized with CD4-expressing T cells, indicating that the staining was specific to PLP 139–151 dextramers. Further, we devised a method to reliably enumerate the frequencies of antigen-specific T cells by counting the number of dextramer+ CD4+ T cells in the ‘Z’ serial images acquired sequentially. We next extended these observations to detect cardiac myosin-specific T cells in autoimmune myocarditis induced in A/J mice by immunizing with cardiac myosin heavy chain-α (Myhc) 334–352. Heart sections prepared from immunized mice were costained with Myhc 334–352 (specific) or bovine ribonuclease 43–56 (control) dextramers together with anti-CD4; the sections showed the infiltrations of Myhc-specific CD4 T cells. The data suggest that MHC class II dextramers are useful tools for enumerating the frequencies of antigen-specific CD4 T cells in situ by direct staining without having to amplify the fluorescent signals, an approach commonly employed with conventional MHC tetramers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandirasegaran Massilamany
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Arunakumar Gangaplara
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Ting Jia
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Christian Elowsky
- Center for Biotechnology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Guobin Kang
- Nebraska Center for Virology and School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Jean-Jack Riethoven
- Center for Biotechnology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Qingsheng Li
- Nebraska Center for Virology and School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - You Zhou
- Center for Biotechnology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Jay Reddy
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Production of NY-ESO-1 peptide/DRB1*08:03 tetramers and ex vivo detection of CD4 T-cell responses in vaccinated cancer patients. Vaccine 2014; 32:957-64. [PMID: 24397899 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.12.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2013] [Revised: 10/17/2013] [Accepted: 12/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
We established CD4 T-cell clones, Mz-1B7, and Ue-21, which recognized the NY-ESO-1 121-138 peptide from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of an esophageal cancer patient, E-2, immunized with an NY-ESO-1 protein and determined the NY-ESO-1 minimal epitopes. Minimal peptides recognized by Mz-1B7 and Ue-21 were NY-ESO-1 125-134 and 124-134, respectively, both in restriction to DRB1*08:03. Using a longer peptide, 122-135, and five other related peptides, including either of the minimal epitopes recognized by the CD4 T-cell clones, we investigated the free peptide/DR recognition on autologous EBV-B cells as APC and peptide/DR tetramer binding. The results showed a discrepancy between them. The tetramers with several peptides recognized by either Mz-1B7 or the Ue-21 CD4 T-cell clone did not bind to the respective clone. On the other hand, unexpected binding of the tetramer with the peptide not recognized by CD4 T-cells was observed. The clone Mz-1B7 did not recognize the free peptide 122-135 on APC, but the peptide 122-135/DRB1*08:03 tetramer bound to the TCR on those cells. The failure of tetramer production and the unexpected tetramer binding could be due to a subtly modified structure of the peptide/DR tetramer from the structure of the free peptide/DR molecule. We also demonstrated that the NY-ESO-1 123-135/DRB1*08:03 tetramer detected ex vivo CD4 T-cell responses in PBMCs from patients after NY-ESO-1 vaccination in immunomonitoring.
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Choi JY, Eo SK. Detection of Foreign Antigen-specific CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Regulatory T Cells by MHC Class II Tetramer and Intracellular CD154 Staining. Immune Netw 2013; 13:264-74. [PMID: 24385945 PMCID: PMC3875785 DOI: 10.4110/in.2013.13.6.264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Revised: 11/22/2013] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The unrestricted population of CD4(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells, which have been known to control the expression of autoimmune diseases and protective immunity to inflammatory reactions, has led to greater appreciation of functional plasticity. Detecting and/or isolating Ag-specific CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs at the single cell level are required to study their function and plasticity. In this study, we established and compared both MHC class II tetramer and intracellular CD154 staining, in order to detect CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Treg specific for foreign Ag in acute and chronic infections with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Our results revealed that MHC class II tetramer staining showed a lower detection rate of LCMV GP66-77-specific CD4(+) T cells because most of MHC class II tetramers were unbound and unstable when combined staining was performed with intracellular cytokines. In contrast, intracellular CD154 staining was revealed to be easier and simple for detecting LCMV GP66-77-specific CD4(+) T cells, compared to MHC class II tetramer staining. Subsequently, we employed intracellular CD154 staining to detect LCMV GP66-77-specific CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs using Foxp3(GFP) knock-in mouse, and found that LCMV GP66-77-specific CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs and polyclonal CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Tregs showed differential expansion in mice infected with LCMV Arms or Cl13 at acute (8 and 13 days pi) and chronic phases (35 days pi). Therefore, our results provide insight into the valuable use of intracellular CD154 staining to detect and characterize foreign Ag-specific CD4(+)Foxp3(+) Treg in various models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Young Choi
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio-Safety Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea
| | - Seong Kug Eo
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio-Safety Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea
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13
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Schmidt J, Dojcinovic D, Guillaume P, Luescher I. Analysis, Isolation, and Activation of Antigen-Specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T Cells by Soluble MHC-Peptide Complexes. Front Immunol 2013; 4:218. [PMID: 23908656 PMCID: PMC3726995 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 07/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells constitute the core of adaptive cellular immunity and protect higher organisms against pathogen infections and cancer. Monitoring of disease progression as well as prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines and immunotherapies call for conclusive detection, analysis, and sorting of antigen-specific T cells. This is possible by means of soluble recombinant ligands for T cells, i.e., MHC class I-peptide (pMHC I) complexes for CD8(+) T cells and MHC class II-peptide (pMHC II) complexes for CD4(+) T cells and flow cytometry. Here we review major developments in the development of pMHC staining reagents and their diverse applications and discuss perspectives of their use for basic and clinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Schmidt
- Ludwig Center, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
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14
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Poli C, Raffin C, Dojcinovic D, Luescher I, Ayyoub M, Valmori D. MHC class II/ESO tetramer-based generation of in vitro primed anti-tumor T-helper lines for adoptive cell therapy of cancer. Haematologica 2013; 98:316-22. [PMID: 22875619 PMCID: PMC3561442 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2012.071712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2012] [Accepted: 07/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Generation of tumor-antigen specific CD4(+) T-helper (T(H)) lines through in vitro priming is of interest for adoptive cell therapy of cancer, but the development of this approach has been limited by the lack of appropriate tools to identify and isolate low frequency tumor antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells. Here, we have used recently developed MHC class II/peptide tetramers incorporating an immunodominant peptide from NY-ESO-1 (ESO), a tumor antigen frequently expressed in different human solid and hematologic cancers, to implement an in vitro priming platform allowing the generation of ESO-specific T(H) lines. We isolated phenotypically defined CD4(+) T-cell subpopulations from circulating lymphocytes of DR52b(+) healthy donors by flow cytometry cell sorting and stimulated them in vitro with peptide ESO(119-143), autologous APC and IL-2. We assessed the frequency of ESO-specific cells in the cultures by staining with DR52b/ESO(119-143) tetramers (ESO-tetramers) and TCR repertoire of ESO-tetramer(+) cells by co-staining with TCR variable β chain (BV) specific antibodies. We isolated ESO-tetramer(+) cells by flow cytometry cell sorting and expanded them with PHA, APC and IL-2 to generate ESO-specific T(H) lines. We characterized the lines for antigen recognition, by stimulation with ESO peptide or recombinant protein, cytokine production, by intracellular staining using specific antibodies, and alloreactivity, by stimulation with allo-APC. Using this approach, we could consistently generate ESO-tetramer(+) T(H) lines from conventional CD4(+)CD25(-) naïve and central memory populations, but not from effector memory populations or CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg. In vitro primed T(H) lines recognized ESO with affinities comparable to ESO-tetramer(+) cells from patients immunized with an ESO vaccine and used a similar TCR repertoire. In this study, using MHC class II/ESO tetramers, we have implemented an in vitro priming platform allowing the generation of ESO-monospecific polyclonal T(H) lines from non-immune individuals. This is an approach that is of potential interest for adoptive cell therapy of patients bearing ESO-expressing cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Poli
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité 1102, Institut de Cancérologie de l’Ouest, Nantes-Saint Herblain, France
| | - Caroline Raffin
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité 1102, Institut de Cancérologie de l’Ouest, Nantes-Saint Herblain, France
| | - Danijel Dojcinovic
- Ludwig Center for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Immanuel Luescher
- Ludwig Center for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Maha Ayyoub
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité 1102, Institut de Cancérologie de l’Ouest, Nantes-Saint Herblain, France
| | - Danila Valmori
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité 1102, Institut de Cancérologie de l’Ouest, Nantes-Saint Herblain, France
- L’UNAM Université, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nantes, Nantes, France
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15
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Savage PA, Malchow S, Leventhal DS. Basic principles of tumor-associated regulatory T cell biology. Trends Immunol 2013; 34:33-40. [PMID: 22999714 PMCID: PMC3534814 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2012.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2012] [Revised: 08/22/2012] [Accepted: 08/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Due to the critical role of forkhead box (Fox)p3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the regulation of immunity and the enrichment of Tregs within many human tumors, several emerging therapeutic strategies for cancer involve the depletion or modulation of Tregs, with the aim of eliciting enhanced antitumor immune responses. Here, we review recent advances in understanding of the fundamental biology of Tregs, and discuss the implications of these findings for current models of tumor-associated Treg biology. In particular, we discuss the context-dependent functional diversity of Tregs, the developmental origins of these cells, and the nature of the antigens that they recognize within the tumor environment. In addition, we highlight critical areas of focus for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Savage
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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16
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Di Lullo G, Ieva F, Longhi R, Paganoni AM, Protti MP. Estimating point and interval frequency of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells based on short in vitro expansion and improved poisson distribution analysis. PLoS One 2012; 7:e42340. [PMID: 22879946 PMCID: PMC3413706 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2012] [Accepted: 07/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knowledge of antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells frequencies is pivotal to the choice of the antigen to be used in anti-viral and anti-tumor vaccination procedures and for monitoring of immune responses. Methods that employ small cell numbers from patient samples, are easy to perform and do not require complex techniques/instrumentations and therefore standardization are desirable. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Purified blood CD4(+) T cells from healthy donors were cultured with autologous antigen presenting cells in several replicate wells in equal numbers in the absence (un-stimulated wells) or in the presence of synthetic peptides corresponding to viral antigens promiscuous HLA-DR epitopes (antigen-stimulated wells). At day 7 of culture low dose IL-2 was added and at day 14 IFN-γ and IL-5 release in the supernatant was measured. A statistical analysis approach, based on Poisson distribution, was then implemented to calculate the frequency of viral-specific CD4(+) T cells. We first determined a patient-specific exceptionality threshold of cytokine release in the un-stimulated wells and then, based on this threshold, we counted the inactive/active wells within the antigen-stimulated wells. This number, along with the number of cells per well, allowed the point and interval estimates of frequencies. A ready-to-use Excel worksheet template with automatic calculations for frequencies estimate was developed and is provided as a supplemental file (Table S9). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE We report a simple experimental procedure combining short term in vitro cell culture with statistical analysis to calculate the frequency of antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells. The detailed experimental procedure along with the Excel applicative are a valuable tool for monitoring immune responses in the clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Di Lullo
- Tumor Immunology Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Ieva
- Laboratorty for Modeling and Scientific Computing (MOX), Dipartimento di Matematica, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Renato Longhi
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Chimica del Riconoscimento Molecolare, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Paganoni
- Laboratorty for Modeling and Scientific Computing (MOX), Dipartimento di Matematica, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Protti
- Tumor Immunology Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- * E-mail:
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17
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Wang SF, Yao L, Liu SJ, Chong P, Liu WT, Chen YMA, Huang JC. Identifying conserved DR1501-restricted CD4(+) T-cell epitopes in avian H5N1 hemagglutinin proteins. Viral Immunol 2011; 23:585-93. [PMID: 21142444 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2010.0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses are capable of causing poultry epidemics and human mortality. Vaccines that induce protective neutralizing antibodies can prevent outbreaks and decrease the potential for influenza A pandemics. Identifying unique H5N1 virus-specific HLA class II-restricted epitopes is essential for monitoring cellular strain-specific immunity. Our results indicate that 80% of the 30 study participants who were inoculated with an H5N1 vaccine produced neutralizing antibodies. We used intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) to screen and identify six DR1501-restricted H5N1 virus epitopes: H5HA(148-162), H5HA(155-169), H5HA(253-267), H5HA(260-274), H5HA(267-281) and H5HA(309-323.) Tetramer staining results confirmed that two immunodominant epitopes were DR1501-restricted: H5HA(155-169) and H5HA(267-281). Both are located at the HA surface and are highly conserved in currently circulating H5N1 clades. These results suggest that a combination of ICS and tetramer staining can be used as a T-cell epitope-mapping platform, and the identified epitopes may serve as markers for monitoring vaccine efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Fan Wang
- Department of Biotechnology and Laboratory Science in Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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18
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Three novel NY-ESO-1 epitopes bound to DRB1*0803, DQB1*0401 and DRB1*0901 recognized by CD4 T cells from CHP-NY-ESO-1-vaccinated patients. Vaccine 2010; 28:5338-46. [PMID: 20665979 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.05.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Three novel NY-ESO-1 CD4 T cell epitopes were identified using PBMC obtained from patients who were vaccinated with a complex of cholesterol-bearing hydrophobized pullulan (CHP) and NY-ESO-1 protein (CHP-NY-ESO-1). The restriction molecules were determined by antibody blocking and using various EBV-B cells with different HLA alleles as APC to present peptides to CD4 T cells. The minimal epitope peptides were determined using various N- and C-termini truncated peptides deduced from 18-mer overlapping peptides originally identified for recognition. Those epitopes were DRB1*0901-restricted NY-ESO-1 87-100, DQB1*0401-restricted NY-ESO-1 95-107 and DRB1*0803-restricted NY-ESO-1 124-134. CD4 T cells used to determine those epitope peptides recognized EBV-B cells or DC that were treated with recombinant NY-ESO-1 protein or NY-ESO-1-expressing tumor cell lysate, suggesting that the epitope peptides are naturally processed. These CD4 T cells showed a cytokine profile with Th1 characteristics. Furthermore, NY-ESO-1 87-100 peptide/HLA-DRB1*0901 tetramer staining was observed. Multiple Th1-type CD4 T cell responses are beneficial for inducing effective anti-tumor responses after NY-ESO-1 protein vaccination.
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19
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Ayyoub M, Pignon P, Dojcinovic D, Raimbaud I, Old LJ, Luescher I, Valmori D. Assessment of vaccine-induced CD4 T cell responses to the 119-143 immunodominant region of the tumor-specific antigen NY-ESO-1 using DRB1*0101 tetramers. Clin Cancer Res 2010; 16:4607-15. [PMID: 20670945 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-10-1485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE NY-ESO-1 (ESO), a tumor-specific antigen of the cancer/testis group, is presently viewed as an important model antigen for the development of generic anticancer vaccines. The ESO(119-143) region is immunodominant following immunization with a recombinant ESO vaccine. In this study, we generated DRB1*0101/ESO(119-143) tetramers and used them to assess CD4 T-cell responses in vaccinated patients expressing DRB1*0101 (DR1). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We generated tetramers of DRB1*0101 incorporating peptide ESO(119-143) using a previously described strategy. We assessed ESO(119-143)-specific CD4 T cells in peptide-stimulated postvaccine cultures using the tetramers. We isolated DR1/ESO(119-143) tetramer(+) cells by cell sorting and characterized them functionally. We assessed vaccine-induced CD4(+) DR1/ESO(119-143) tetramer(+) T cells ex vivo and characterized them phenotypically. RESULTS Staining of cultures from vaccinated patients with DR1/ESO(119-143) tetramers identified vaccine-induced CD4 T cells. Tetramer(+) cells isolated by cell sorting were of T(H)1 type and efficiently recognized full-length ESO. We identified ESO(123-137) as the minimal optimal epitope recognized by DR1-restricted ESO-specific CD4 T cells. By assessing DR1/ESO(119-143) tetramer(+) cells using T cell receptor (TCR) β chain variable region (Vβ)-specific antibodies, we identified several frequently used Vβ. Finally, direct ex vivo staining of patients' CD4 T cells with tetramers allowed the direct quantification and phenotyping of vaccine-induced ESO-specific CD4 T cells. CONCLUSIONS The development of DR1/ESO(119-143) tetramers, allowing the direct visualization, isolation, and characterization of ESO-specific CD4 T cells, will be instrumental for the evaluation of spontaneous and vaccine-induced immune responses to this important tumor antigen in DR1-expressing patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Ayyoub
- Institut National de Santé et de Recherche Médicale, Unité 892, CLCC René Gauducheau, Saint Herblain, France.
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20
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Kassu A, Marcus RA, D'Souza MB, Kelly-McKnight EA, Golden-Mason L, Akkina R, Fontenot AP, Wilson CC, Palmer BE. Regulation of virus-specific CD4+ T cell function by multiple costimulatory receptors during chronic HIV infection. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 185:3007-18. [PMID: 20656923 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1000156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Elevated expression of inhibitory receptors on virus-specific T cells has been implicated as a mechanism by which viruses evade host immune surveillance. Blockade of these pathways during chronic infection leads to increased T cell function and improved immune control of viral replication. To explore the association between costimulatory receptors and HIV replication, we examined the expression of programmed death 1 (PD-1), CTLA-4, T cell Ig domain and mucin domain 3 (TIM-3), and CD28 on HIV-specific CD4(+) T cells from HIV-infected subjects. Greater than 30% of HIV-specific CD4(+) T cells from untreated subjects coexpressed PD-1, CTLA-4, and TIM-3, whereas <2% of CMV- or varicella-zoster virus-specific CD4(+) T cells expressed all three receptors. Coexpression of all three inhibitory receptors on HIV-specific CD4(+) T cells was more strongly correlated with viral load compared with the expression of each receptor individually. Suppression of HIV replication with antiretroviral therapy was associated with decreased expression of all three inhibitory receptors on HIV-specific CD4(+) T cells. Surprisingly, a high percentage of HIV-specific CD4(+) T cells that expressed inhibitory receptors also coexpressed CD28. In vitro blockade of PD-1 binding concurrent with stimulation through CD28 synergistically increased HIV-specific CD4(+) T cell proliferation to a greater extent than did either alone. These findings indicate that HIV-specific CD4(+) T cell responses during chronic infection are regulated by complex patterns of coexpressed inhibitory receptors and that the synergistic effect of inhibitory receptor blockade and stimulation of costimulatory receptors could be used for therapeutic augmentation of HIV-specific CD4(+) T cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afework Kassu
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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21
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Cecconi V, Moro M, Del Mare S, Sidney J, Bachi A, Longhi R, Sette A, Protti MP, Dellabona P, Casorati G. The CD4+ T-cell epitope-binding register is a critical parameter when generating functional HLA-DR tetramers with promiscuous peptides. Eur J Immunol 2010; 40:1603-16. [PMID: 20306469 DOI: 10.1002/eji.200940123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Detection of CD4(+) T cells specific for tumor-associated antigens is critical to investigate the spontaneous tumor immunosurveillance and to monitor immunotherapy protocols in patients. We investigated the ability of HLA-DR 1101 multimers to detect CD4(+) T cells specific for three highly promiscuous MAGE-A3 derived peptides: MAGE-A3(191-205) (p39), MAGE-A3(281-295) (p57) and MAGE-A3(286-300) (p58). Tetramers stained specific CD4(+) T cells only when loaded with p39, although all peptides activated the specific T cells when presented by plastic-bound HLA-DR 1101 monomers. This suggested that tetramer staining ability was determined by the mode rather than the affinity of peptide binding to HLA-DR 1101. We hypothesized that peptides should bear a single P1 anchor residue to bind all arms of the multimer in a homogeneous register to generate peptide-HLA-DR conformers with maximal avidity. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that p39 contained one putative P1 anchor residue, whereas the other two peptides contained multiple ones. Designing p57 and p58 analogues containing a single anchor residue generated HLA-DR 1101 tetramers that stained specific CD4(+) T cells. Producing HLA-DR 1101 monomers linked with the optimized MAGE-A3 analogues, but not with the original epitopes, further improved tetramer efficiency. Optimization of CD4(+) T-cell epitope-binding registers is thus critical to generate functional HLA-DR tetramers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Cecconi
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
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22
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High throughput T epitope mapping and vaccine development. J Biomed Biotechnol 2010; 2010:325720. [PMID: 20617148 PMCID: PMC2896667 DOI: 10.1155/2010/325720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2009] [Revised: 02/18/2010] [Accepted: 04/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mapping of antigenic peptide sequences from proteins of relevant pathogens recognized by T helper (Th) and by cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) is crucial for vaccine development. In fact, mapping of T-cell epitopes provides useful information for the design of peptide-based vaccines and of peptide libraries to monitor specific cellular immunity in protected individuals, patients and vaccinees. Nevertheless, epitope mapping is a challenging task. In fact, large panels of overlapping peptides need to be tested with lymphocytes to identify the sequences that induce a T-cell response. Since numerous peptide panels from antigenic proteins are to be screened, lymphocytes available from human subjects are a limiting factor. To overcome this limitation, high throughput (HTP) approaches based on miniaturization and automation of T-cell assays are needed. Here we consider the most recent applications of the HTP approach to T epitope mapping. The alternative or complementary use of in silico prediction and experimental epitope definition is discussed in the context of the recent literature. The currently used methods are described with special reference to the possibility of applying the HTP concept to make epitope mapping an easier procedure in terms of time, workload, reagents, cells and overall cost.
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23
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Ayyoub M, Dojcinovic D, Pignon P, Raimbaud I, Schmidt J, Luescher I, Valmori D. Monitoring of NY-ESO-1 specific CD4+ T cells using molecularly defined MHC class II/His-tag-peptide tetramers. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010; 107:7437-42. [PMID: 20368442 PMCID: PMC2867704 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1001322107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
MHC-peptide tetramers have become essential tools for T-cell analysis, but few MHC class II tetramers incorporating peptides from human tumor and self-antigens have been developed. Among limiting factors are the high polymorphism of class II molecules and the low binding capacity of the peptides. Here, we report the generation of molecularly defined tetramers using His-tagged peptides and isolation of folded MHC/peptide monomers by affinity purification. Using this strategy we generated tetramers of DR52b (DRB3*0202), an allele expressed by approximately half of Caucasians, incorporating an epitope from the tumor antigen NY-ESO-1. Molecularly defined tetramers avidly and stably bound to specific CD4(+) T cells with negligible background on nonspecific cells. Using molecularly defined DR52b/NY-ESO-1 tetramers, we could demonstrate that in DR52b(+) cancer patients immunized with a recombinant NY-ESO-1 vaccine, vaccine-induced tetramer-positive cells represent ex vivo in average 1:5,000 circulating CD4(+) T cells, include central and transitional memory polyfunctional populations, and do not include CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(-) regulatory T cells. This approach may significantly accelerate the development of reliable MHC class II tetramers to monitor immune responses to tumor and self-antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Ayyoub
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité 892, Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer René Gauducheau, 44800 Saint Herblain, France
| | - Danijel Dojcinovic
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland; and
| | - Pascale Pignon
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité 892, Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer René Gauducheau, 44800 Saint Herblain, France
| | - Isabelle Raimbaud
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité 892, Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer René Gauducheau, 44800 Saint Herblain, France
| | - Julien Schmidt
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland; and
| | - Immanuel Luescher
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, University of Lausanne, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland; and
| | - Danila Valmori
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité 892, Centre de Lutte Contre le Cancer René Gauducheau, 44800 Saint Herblain, France
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Nantes, 44093 Nantes, France
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24
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Landais E, Romagnoli PA, Corper AL, Shires J, Altman JD, Wilson IA, Garcia KC, Teyton L. New design of MHC class II tetramers to accommodate fundamental principles of antigen presentation. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 183:7949-57. [PMID: 19923463 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0902493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Direct identification and isolation of Ag-specific T cells became possible with the development of MHC tetramers, based on fluorescent avidins displaying biotinylated peptide-MHC complexes. This approach, extensively used for MHC class I-restricted T cells, has met very limited success with class II peptide-MHC complex tetramers (pMHCT-2) for the detection of CD4(+)-specific T cells. In addition, a very large number of these reagents, although capable of specifically activating T cells after being coated on solid support, is still unable to stain. To try to understand this puzzle and design usable tetramers, we examined each parameter critical for the production of pMHCT-2 using the I-A(d)-OVA system as a model. Through this process, the geometry of peptide-MHC display by avidin tetramers was examined, as well as the stability of rMHC molecules. However, we discovered that the most important factor limiting the reactivity of pMHCT-2 was the display of peptides. Indeed, long peptides, as presented by MHC class II molecules, can be bound to I-A/HLA-DQ molecules in more than one register, as suggested by structural studies. This mode of anchorless peptide binding allows the selection of a broader repertoire on single peptides and should favor anti-infectious immune responses. Thus, beyond the technical improvements that we propose, the redesign of pMHCT-2 will give us the tools to evaluate the real size of the CD4 T cell repertoire and help us in the production and testing of new vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Landais
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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25
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Flow Cytometry: A Multipurpose Technology for a Wide Spectrum of Global Biosecurity Applications. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jala.2009.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Flow cytometry, and its offspring-flow sorting, are extremely useful technologies for biosecurity and public health studies related to infectious disease. Applications range from environmental surveillance of pathogens to diagnosis and the development of vaccines and therapeutics for prevention and control of infectious diseases. Flow cytometers have been developed for laboratory analysis and field deployment. The current state of the art could enjoy more widespread use if instruments and data analysis were made simpler and had more automated functions, and if technology was modified to reduce biosafety concerns related to analysis and sorting of infectious organisms. The full spectrum of possible applications of flow cytometry technology to global biosecurity challenges has not yet been realized.
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26
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Gratama JW, Kern F, Manca F, Roederer M. Measuring antigen-specific immune responses, 2008 update. Cytometry A 2008; 73:971-4. [PMID: 18942721 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.20655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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27
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Vita R, Peters B, Sette A. The curation guidelines of the immune epitope database and analysis resource. Cytometry A 2008; 73:1066-70. [PMID: 18688821 PMCID: PMC2597159 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.20585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The IEDB houses antibody and T cell epitope data and makes them accessible and searchable. The curation of literature references requires explicit guidelines in order to capture the data in an objective and consistent manner. Description of these guidelines ensures transparency of the database and facilitates direct submissions to the database.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Vita
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, Division of Vaccine Discovery, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
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