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Jin S, Sun Y, Liang X, Gu X, Ning J, Xu Y, Chen S, Pan L. Emerging new therapeutic antibody derivatives for cancer treatment. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:39. [PMID: 35132063 PMCID: PMC8821599 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00868-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 80.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies constitute a promising class of targeted anticancer agents that enhance natural immune system functions to suppress cancer cell activity and eliminate cancer cells. The successful application of IgG monoclonal antibodies has inspired the development of various types of therapeutic antibodies, such as antibody fragments, bispecific antibodies, and antibody derivatives (e.g., antibody–drug conjugates and immunocytokines). The miniaturization and multifunctionalization of antibodies are flexible and viable strategies for diagnosing or treating malignant tumors in a complex tumor environment. In this review, we summarize antibodies of various molecular types, antibody applications in cancer therapy, and details of clinical study advances. We also discuss the rationale and mechanism of action of various antibody formats, including antibody–drug conjugates, antibody–oligonucleotide conjugates, bispecific/multispecific antibodies, immunocytokines, antibody fragments, and scaffold proteins. With advances in modern biotechnology, well-designed novel antibodies are finally paving the way for successful treatments of various cancers, including precise tumor immunotherapy, in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijie Jin
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanping Sun
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Liang
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Gu
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiangtao Ning
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yingchun Xu
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuqing Chen
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, China. .,Department of Precision Medicine on Tumor Therapeutics, ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, 311200, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Liqiang Pan
- Institute of Drug Metabolism and Pharmaceutical Analysis, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, China. .,The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310003, Hangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease of Zhejiang Province, 310003, Hangzhou, China.
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2
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Lee SY, Ko DH, Son MJ, Kim JA, Jung K, Kim YS. Affinity Maturation of a T-Cell Receptor-Like Antibody Specific for a Cytomegalovirus pp65-Derived Peptide Presented by HLA-A*02:01. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052349. [PMID: 33652936 PMCID: PMC7956451 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is widespread among adults (60–90%) and is usually undetected in healthy individuals without symptoms but can cause severe diseases in immunocompromised hosts. T-cell receptor (TCR)-like antibodies (Abs), which recognize complex antigens (peptide–MHC complex, pMHC) composed of MHC molecules with embedded short peptides derived from intracellular proteins, including pathogenic viral proteins, can serve as diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents. In this study, we aimed to engineer a TCR-like Ab specific for pMHC comprising a CMV pp65 protein-derived peptide (495NLVPMVATV503; hereafter, CMVpp65495-503) in complex with MHC-I molecule human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*02:01 (CMVpp65495-503/HLA-A*02:01) to increase affinity by sequential mutagenesis of complementarity-determining regions using yeast surface display technology. Compared with the parental Ab, the final generated Ab (C1-17) showed ~67-fold enhanced binding affinity (KD ≈ 5.2 nM) for the soluble pMHC, thereby detecting the cell surface-displayed CMVpp65495-503/HLA-A*02:01 complex with high sensitivity and exquisite specificity. Thus, the new high-affinity TCR-like Ab may be used for the detection and treatment of CMV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se-Young Lee
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea; (S.-Y.L.); (D.-H.K.); (M.-J.S.); (J.-A.K.)
| | - Deok-Han Ko
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea; (S.-Y.L.); (D.-H.K.); (M.-J.S.); (J.-A.K.)
| | - Min-Jeong Son
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea; (S.-Y.L.); (D.-H.K.); (M.-J.S.); (J.-A.K.)
| | - Jeong-Ah Kim
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea; (S.-Y.L.); (D.-H.K.); (M.-J.S.); (J.-A.K.)
| | - Keunok Jung
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea;
| | - Yong-Sung Kim
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea; (S.-Y.L.); (D.-H.K.); (M.-J.S.); (J.-A.K.)
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-31-219-2662; Fax: +82-31-219-1610
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3
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Yang X, Xie S, Yang X, Cueva JC, Hou X, Tang Z, Yao H, Mo F, Yin S, Liu A, Lu X. Opportunities and Challenges for Antibodies against Intracellular Antigens. Am J Cancer Res 2019; 9:7792-7806. [PMID: 31695801 PMCID: PMC6831482 DOI: 10.7150/thno.35486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic antibodies are one most significant advances in immunotherapy, the development of antibodies against disease-associated MHC-peptide complexes led to the introduction of TCR-like antibodies. TCR-like antibodies combine the recognition of intracellular proteins with the therapeutic potency and versatility of monoclonal antibodies (mAb), offering an unparalleled opportunity to expand the repertoire of therapeutic antibodies available to treat diseases like cancer. This review details the current state of TCR-like antibodies and describes their production, mechanisms as well as their applications. In addition, it presents an insight on the challenges that they must overcome in order to become commercially and clinically validated.
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4
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He Q, Liu Z, Liu Z, Lai Y, Zhou X, Weng J. TCR-like antibodies in cancer immunotherapy. J Hematol Oncol 2019; 12:99. [PMID: 31521180 PMCID: PMC6744646 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-019-0788-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has been regarded as the most significant scientific breakthrough of 2013, and antibody therapy is at the core of this breakthrough. Despite significant success achieved in recent years, it is still difficult to target intracellular antigens of tumor cells with traditional antibodies, and novel therapeutic strategies are needed. T cell receptor (TCR)-like antibodies comprise a novel family of antibodies that can recognize peptide/MHC complexes on tumor cell surfaces. TCR-like antibodies can execute specific and significant anti-tumor immunity through several distinct molecular mechanisms, and the success of this type of antibody therapy in melanoma, leukemia, and breast, colon, and prostate tumor models has excited researchers in the immunotherapy field. Here, we summarize the generation strategy, function, and molecular mechanisms of TCR-like antibodies described in publications, focusing on the most significant discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghua He
- Department of Center Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510700, China
| | - Zhaoyu Liu
- Department of Center Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510700, China
| | - Zhihua Liu
- Department of Center Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510700, China
| | - Yuxiong Lai
- Department of Center Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510700, China
| | - Xinke Zhou
- Department of Center Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510700, China
| | - Jinsheng Weng
- Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1414 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Lérias JR, Paraschoudi G, Silva I, Martins J, de Sousa E, Condeço C, Figueiredo N, Carvalho C, Dodoo E, Jäger E, Rao M, Maeurer M. Clinically Relevant Immune Responses against Cytomegalovirus: Implications for Precision Medicine. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20081986. [PMID: 31018546 PMCID: PMC6514820 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20081986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune responses to human cytomegalovirus (CMV) can be used to assess immune fitness in an individual. Further to its clinical significance in posttransplantation settings, emerging clinical and translational studies provide examples of immune correlates of protection pertaining to anti-CMV immune responses in the context of cancer or infectious diseases, e.g., tuberculosis. In this viewpoint, we provide a brief overview about CMV-directed immune reactivity and immune fitness in a clinical context and incorporate some of our own findings obtained from peripheral blood or tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) from patients with advanced cancer. Observations in patients with solid cancers whose lesions contain both CMV and tumour antigen-specific T-cell subsets are highlighted, due to a possible CMV-associated “bystander” effect in amplifying local inflammation and subsequent tumour rejection. The role of tumour-associated antibodies recognising diverse CMV-derived epitopes is also discussed in light of anti-cancer immune responses. We discuss here the use of anti-CMV immune responses as a theranostic tool—combining immunodiagnostics with a personalised therapeutic potential—to improve treatment outcomes in oncological indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana R Lérias
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Georgia Paraschoudi
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Inês Silva
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - João Martins
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Eric de Sousa
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Carolina Condeço
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Nuno Figueiredo
- Digestive Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Carlos Carvalho
- Digestive Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Ernest Dodoo
- Department of Oncology and Haematology, Krankenhaus Nordwest, Steinbacher Hohl 2-26, 60488 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Elke Jäger
- Department of Oncology and Haematology, Krankenhaus Nordwest, Steinbacher Hohl 2-26, 60488 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Martin Rao
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Markus Maeurer
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal.
- Department of Oncology and Haematology, Krankenhaus Nordwest, Steinbacher Hohl 2-26, 60488 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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Wagner EK, Qerqez AN, Stevens CA, Nguyen AW, Delidakis G, Maynard JA. Human cytomegalovirus-specific T-cell receptor engineered for high affinity and soluble expression using mammalian cell display. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:5790-5804. [PMID: 30796163 PMCID: PMC6463697 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.007187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell receptors (TCR) have considerable potential as therapeutics and antibody-like reagents to monitor disease progression and vaccine efficacy. Whereas antibodies recognize only secreted and surface-bound proteins, TCRs recognize otherwise inaccessible disease-associated intracellular proteins when they are presented as processed peptides bound to major histocompatibility complexes (pMHC). TCRs have been primarily explored for cancer therapy applications but could also target infectious diseases such as cytomegalovirus (CMV). However, TCRs are more difficult to express and engineer than antibodies, and advanced methods are needed to enable their widespread use. Here, we engineered the human CMV-specific TCR RA14 for high-affinity and robust soluble expression. To achieve this, we adapted our previously reported mammalian display system to present TCR extracellular domains and used this to screen CDR3 libraries for clones with increased pMHC affinity. After three rounds of selection, characterized clones retained peptide specificity and activation when expressed on the surface of human Jurkat T cells. We obtained high yields of soluble, monomeric protein by fusing the TCR extracellular domains to antibody hinge and Fc constant regions, adding a stabilizing disulfide bond between the constant domains and disrupting predicted glycosylation sites. One variant exhibited 50 nm affinity for its cognate pMHC, as measured by surface plasmon resonance, and specifically stained cells presenting this pMHC. Our work has identified a human TCR with high affinity for the immunodominant CMV peptide and offers a new strategy to rapidly engineer soluble TCRs for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen K Wagner
- From the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
| | - Ahlam N Qerqez
- From the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
| | - Christopher A Stevens
- From the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
| | - Annalee W Nguyen
- From the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
| | - George Delidakis
- From the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712
| | - Jennifer A Maynard
- From the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712.
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7
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Dolan BP. Quantitating MHC Class I Ligand Production and Presentation Using TCR-Like Antibodies. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1988:149-157. [PMID: 31147939 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9450-2_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Accurately determining the number of peptide-MHC class I complexes on the cell surface is necessary when evaluating cellular processes or pharmaceuticals that alter the antigen presentation machinery. Here I describe a quantitative flow cytometry application for determining the number of peptide-MHC complexes on the surface of cells grown in tissue culture that express an endogenous protein from which the peptide is derived. The procedure requires a monoclonal antibody with the ability to distinguish MHC class I molecules presenting the peptide of interest from other peptide-MHC complexes. Fluorescence signal measured on antibody-labeled cells can be compared to fluorescent-calibrated beads to determine the relative number of antibodies bound to the cell surface and hence the number of specific peptide-MHC complexes expressed by the cell. As new monoclonal antibodies with TCR-like specificity for peptide-MHC complexes are created, this method will be helpful in quantifying the exact numbers of complexes generated by cell types and relating these numbers to physiological outcomes of T cell activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian P Dolan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
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8
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Luo XH, Meng Q, Rao M, Liu Z, Paraschoudi G, Dodoo E, Maeurer M. The impact of inflationary cytomegalovirus-specific memory T cells on anti-tumour immune responses in patients with cancer. Immunology 2018; 155:294-308. [PMID: 30098205 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a ubiquitous, persistent beta herpesvirus. CMV infection contributes to the accumulation of functional antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell pools with an effector-memory phenotype and enrichment of these immune cells in peripheral organs. We review here this 'memory T-cell inflation' phenomenon and associated factors including age and sex. 'Collateral damage' due to CMV-directed immune reactivity may occur in later stages of life - arising from CMV-specific immune responses that were beneficial in earlier life. CMV may be considered an age-dependent immunomodulator and a double-edged sword in editing anti-tumour immune responses. Emerging evidence suggests that CMV is highly prevalent in patients with a variety of cancers, particularly glioblastoma. A better understanding of CMV-associated immune responses and its implications for immune senescence, especially in patients with cancer, may aid in the design of more clinically relevant and tailored, personalized treatment regimens. 'Memory T-cell inflation' could be applied in vaccine development strategies to enrich for immune reactivity where long-term immunological memory is needed, e.g. in long-term immune memory formation directed against transformed cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Hua Luo
- Therapeutic Immunology Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Haematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingda Meng
- Therapeutic Immunology Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Rao
- Therapeutic Immunology Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Zhenjiang Liu
- Therapeutic Immunology Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Georgia Paraschoudi
- Therapeutic Immunology Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ernest Dodoo
- Therapeutic Immunology Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neurosurgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Markus Maeurer
- Therapeutic Immunology Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Centre for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Trenevska I, Li D, Banham AH. Therapeutic Antibodies against Intracellular Tumor Antigens. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1001. [PMID: 28868054 PMCID: PMC5563323 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies are among the most clinically effective drugs used to treat cancer. However, their target repertoire is limited as there are relatively few tumor-specific or tumor-associated cell surface or soluble antigens. Intracellular molecules represent nearly half of the human proteome and provide an untapped reservoir of potential therapeutic targets. Antibodies have been developed to target externalized antigens, have also been engineered to enter into cells or may be expressed intracellularly with the aim of binding intracellular antigens. Furthermore, intracellular proteins can be degraded by the proteasome into short, commonly 8-10 amino acid long, peptides that are presented on the cell surface in the context of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules. These tumor-associated peptide-MHC-I complexes can then be targeted by antibodies known as T-cell receptor mimic (TCRm) or T-cell receptor (TCR)-like antibodies, which recognize epitopes comprising both the peptide and the MHC-I molecule, similar to the recognition of such complexes by the TCR on T cells. Advances in the production of TCRm antibodies have enabled the generation of multiple TCRm antibodies, which have been tested in vitro and in vivo, expanding our understanding of their mechanisms of action and the importance of target epitope selection and expression. This review will summarize multiple approaches to targeting intracellular antigens with therapeutic antibodies, in particular describing the production and characterization of TCRm antibodies, the factors influencing their target identification, their advantages and disadvantages in the context of TCR therapies, and the potential to advance TCRm-based therapies into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Trenevska
- Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Demin Li
- Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alison H Banham
- Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Ouisse LH, Gautreau-Rolland L, Devilder MC, Osborn M, Moyon M, Visentin J, Halary F, Bruggemann M, Buelow R, Anegon I, Saulquin X. Antigen-specific single B cell sorting and expression-cloning from immunoglobulin humanized rats: a rapid and versatile method for the generation of high affinity and discriminative human monoclonal antibodies. BMC Biotechnol 2017; 17:3. [PMID: 28081707 PMCID: PMC5234254 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-016-0322-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is an ever-increasing need of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for biomedical applications and fully human binders are particularly desirable due to their reduced immunogenicity in patients. We have applied a strategy for the isolation of antigen-specific B cells using tetramerized proteins and single-cell sorting followed by reconstruction of human mAbs by RT-PCR and expression cloning. Results This strategy, using human peripheral blood B cells, enabled the production of low affinity human mAbs against major histocompatibility complex molecules loaded with peptides (pMHC). We then implemented this technology using human immunoglobulin transgenic rats, which after immunization with an antigen of interest express high affinity-matured antibodies with human idiotypes. Using rapid immunization, followed by tetramer-based B-cell sorting and expression cloning, we generated several fully humanized mAbs with strong affinities, which could discriminate between highly homologous proteins (eg. different pMHC complexes). Conclusions Therefore, we describe a versatile and more effective approach as compared to hybridoma generation or phage or yeast display technologies for the generation of highly specific and discriminative fully human mAbs that could be useful both for basic research and immunotherapeutic purposes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12896-016-0322-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure-Hélène Ouisse
- INSERM Center for Research in Transplantation and Immunology (CRTI) U1064; Université de Nantes; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes Institut de Transplantation Urologie Néphrologie (ITUN), Nantes, F44000, France.,Transgenesis Rat ImmunoPhenomic Platform Structure Fédérative de Recherche François Bonamy Centre National de Recherche Scientifique UMS3556, Nantes, F44093, France
| | - Laetitia Gautreau-Rolland
- CRCNA UMR S892 INSERM 6299 CNRS Université de Nantes; Université de Nantes Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Nantes, F44093, France
| | - Marie-Claire Devilder
- CRCNA UMR S892 INSERM 6299 CNRS Université de Nantes; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, F44093, France
| | - Michael Osborn
- Recombinant Antibody Technology Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Melinda Moyon
- CRCNA UMR S892 INSERM 6299 CNRS Université de Nantes; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, Nantes, F44093, France
| | - Jonathan Visentin
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux Laboratoire d'Immunologie et Immunogénétique Hôpital Pellegrin Bordeaux, Bordeaux, F33076, France.,Université de Bordeaux UMR CNRS 5164 , Talence, F33400, France
| | - Frank Halary
- INSERM Center for Research in Transplantation and Immunology (CRTI) U1064; Université de Nantes; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes Institut de Transplantation Urologie Néphrologie (ITUN), Nantes, F44000, France
| | - Marianne Bruggemann
- Recombinant Antibody Technology Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
| | | | - Ignacio Anegon
- INSERM Center for Research in Transplantation and Immunology (CRTI) U1064; Université de Nantes; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes Institut de Transplantation Urologie Néphrologie (ITUN), Nantes, F44000, France. .,Transgenesis Rat ImmunoPhenomic Platform Structure Fédérative de Recherche François Bonamy Centre National de Recherche Scientifique UMS3556, Nantes, F44093, France.
| | - Xavier Saulquin
- CRCNA UMR S892 INSERM 6299 CNRS Université de Nantes; Université de Nantes Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Nantes, F44093, France.
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11
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Chang AY, Gejman RS, Brea EJ, Oh CY, Mathias MD, Pankov D, Casey E, Dao T, Scheinberg DA. Opportunities and challenges for TCR mimic antibodies in cancer therapy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2016; 16:979-87. [PMID: 27094818 PMCID: PMC4936943 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2016.1176138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are potent cancer therapeutic agents, but exclusively recognize cell-surface targets whereas most cancer-associated proteins are found intracellularly. Hence, potential cancer therapy targets such as over expressed self-proteins, activated oncogenes, mutated tumor suppressors, and translocated gene products are not accessible to traditional mAb therapy. An emerging approach to target these epitopes is the use of TCR mimic mAbs (TCRm) that recognize epitopes similar to those of T cell receptors (TCR). AREAS COVERED TCRm antigens are composed of a linear peptide sequence derived from degraded proteins and presented in the context of cell-surface MHC molecules. We discuss how the nature of the TCRm epitopes provides both advantages (absolute tumor specificity and access to a new universe of important targets) and disadvantages (low density, MHC restriction, MHC down-regulation, and cross-reactive linear epitopes) to conventional mAb therapy. We will also discuss potential solutions to these obstacles. EXPERT OPINION TCRm combine the specificity of TCR recognition with the potency, pharmacologic properties, and versatility of mAbs. The structure and presentation of a TCRm epitope has important consequences related to the choice of targets, mAb design, available peptides and MHC subtype restrictions, possible cross-reactivity, and therapeutic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Y. Chang
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, 10065
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, 10065
| | - Ron S. Gejman
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, 10065
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, 10065
| | - Elliott J. Brea
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, 10065
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, 10065
| | - Claire Y. Oh
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, 10065
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, 10065
| | | | - Dmitry Pankov
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, 10065
| | - Emily Casey
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, 10065
| | - Tao Dao
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, 10065
| | - David A. Scheinberg
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, 10065
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, 10065
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12
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Targeting Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B lymphoblastoid cells using antibodies with T-cell receptor-like specificities. Blood 2016; 128:1396-407. [PMID: 27338099 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2016-03-707836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an oncovirus associated with several human malignancies including posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease in immunosuppressed patients. We show here that anti-EBV T-cell receptor-like monoclonal antibodies (TCR-like mAbs) E1, L1, and L2 bound to their respective HLA-A*0201-restricted EBV peptides EBNA1562-570, LMP1125-133, and LMP2A426-434 with high affinities and specificities. These mAbs recognized endogenously presented targets on EBV B lymphoblastoid cell lines (BLCLs), but not peripheral blood mononuclear cells, from which they were derived. Furthermore, these mAbs displayed similar binding activities on several BLCLs, despite inherent heterogeneity between different donor samples. A single weekly administration of the naked mAbs reduced splenomegaly, liver tumor spots, and tumor burden in BLCL-engrafted immunodeficient NOD-SCID/Il2rg(-/-) mice. In particular, mice that were treated with the E1 mAb displayed a delayed weight loss and significantly prolonged survival. In vitro, these TCR-like mAbs induced early apoptosis of BLCLs, thereby enhancing their Fc-dependent phagocytic uptake by macrophages. These data provide evidence for TCR-like mAbs as potential therapeutic modalities to target EBV-associated diseases.
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13
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Kaabinejadian S, McMurtrey CP, Kim S, Jain R, Bardet W, Schafer FB, Davenport JL, Martin AD, Diamond MS, Weidanz JA, Hansen TH, Hildebrand WH. Immunodominant West Nile Virus T Cell Epitopes Are Fewer in Number and Fashionably Late. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 196:4263-73. [PMID: 27183642 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1501821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Class I HLA molecules mark infected cells for immune targeting by presenting pathogen-encoded peptides on the cell surface. Characterization of viral peptides unique to infected cells is important for understanding CD8(+) T cell responses and for the development of T cell-based immunotherapies. Having previously reported a series of West Nile virus (WNV) epitopes that are naturally presented by HLA-A*02:01, in this study we generated TCR mimic (TCRm) mAbs to three of these peptide/HLA complexes-the immunodominant SVG9 (E protein), the subdominant SLF9 (NS4B protein), and the immunorecessive YTM9 (NS3 protein)-and used these TCRm mAbs to stain WNV-infected cell lines and primary APCs. TCRm staining of WNV-infected cells demonstrated that the immunorecessive YTM9 appeared several hours earlier and at 5- to 10-fold greater density than the more immunogenic SLF9 and SVG9 ligands, respectively. Moreover, staining following inhibition of the TAP demonstrated that all three viral ligands were presented in a TAP-dependent manner despite originating from different cellular compartments. To our knowledge, this study represents the first use of TCRm mAbs to define the kinetics and magnitude of HLA presentation for a series of epitopes encoded by one virus, and the results depict a pattern whereby individual epitopes differ considerably in abundance and availability. The observations that immunodominant ligands can be found at lower levels and at later time points after infection suggest that a reevaluation of the factors that combine to shape T cell reactivity may be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saghar Kaabinejadian
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Curtis P McMurtrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Sojung Kim
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110
| | - Rinki Jain
- Center for Immunotherapeutic Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Abilene, TX 79601; Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Abilene, TX 79601; Receptor Logic, Inc., Abilene, TX 79601
| | - Wilfried Bardet
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Fredda B Schafer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | | | | | - Michael S Diamond
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110; Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110; and Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110
| | - Jon A Weidanz
- Center for Immunotherapeutic Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Abilene, TX 79601; Department of Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, Abilene, TX 79601; Receptor Logic, Inc., Abilene, TX 79601
| | - Ted H Hansen
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110
| | - William H Hildebrand
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104;
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14
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Purcell AW, Croft NP, Tscharke DC. Immunology by numbers: quantitation of antigen presentation completes the quantitative milieu of systems immunology! Curr Opin Immunol 2016; 40:88-95. [PMID: 27060633 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2016.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/20/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
We review approaches to quantitate antigen presentation using a variety of biological and biochemical readouts and highlight the emerging role of mass spectrometry (MS) in defining and quantifying MHC-bound peptides presented at the cell surface. The combination of high mass accuracy in the determination of the molecular weight of the intact peptide of interest and its signature pattern of fragmentation during tandem MS provide an unambiguous and definitive identification. This is in contrast to the potential receptor cross-reactivity towards closely related peptides and variable dose responsiveness seen in biological readouts. In addition, we gaze into the not too distant future where big data approaches in MS can be accommodated to quantify whole immunopeptidomes both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony W Purcell
- Infection and Immunity Program & Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
| | - Nathan P Croft
- Infection and Immunity Program & Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - David C Tscharke
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, ANU College of Medicine, Biology & Environment, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia.
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15
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Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the major cause of congenital neurological defects in the United States and also causes significant morbidity and mortality for hematopoietic and solid organ transplant patients. Primary infection in immunocompetent individuals rarely causes disease but resolves as a life-long latent infection, characterized by sustained antibody and cellular responses. Despite considerable efforts over the last 40 years to develop live attenuated and subunit vaccines, none is close to receiving regulatory approval. However, there is evidence that antibodies can prevent primary infection and cytotoxic T cells can suppress secondary infection. Prior maternal infection decreases the risk a fetus will contract CMV, while adoptive transfer of virus-specific CD8+ T cells is highly protective against CMV disease in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. As a result, three polyclonal immunoglobulin preparations are approved for clinical use and one monoclonal antibody has reached phase III trials. Enhanced understanding of the viral life cycle from a biochemical perspective has revealed additional targets for neutralizing antibodies in the gH/gL/UL128-131 pentamer. Until an effective vaccine is licensed, passive immunotherapeutics may present an alternative to maintain viral loads and prevent CMV disease in susceptible populations. This review summarizes the progress and potential of immunotherapeutics to treat CMV infection.
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16
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Kim S, Pinto AK, Myers NB, Hawkins O, Doll K, Kaabinejadian S, Netland J, Bevan MJ, Weidanz JA, Hildebrand WH, Diamond MS, Hansen TH. A novel T-cell receptor mimic defines dendritic cells that present an immunodominant West Nile virus epitope in mice. Eur J Immunol 2014; 44:1936-46. [PMID: 24723377 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201444450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2014] [Revised: 02/18/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
We used a newly generated T-cell receptor mimic monoclonal antibody (TCRm MAb) that recognizes a known nonself immunodominant peptide epitope from West Nile virus (WNV) NS4B protein to investigate epitope presentation after virus infection in C57BL/6 mice. Previous studies suggested that peptides of different length, either SSVWNATTAI (10-mer) or SSVWNATTA (9-mer) in complex with class I MHC antigen H-2D(b) , were immunodominant after WNV infection. Our data establish that both peptides are presented on the cell surface after WNV infection and that CD8(+) T cells can detect 10- and 9-mer length variants similarly. This result varies from the idea that a given T-cell receptor (TCR) prefers a single peptide length bound to its cognate class I MHC. In separate WNV infection studies with the TCRm MAb, we show that in vivo the 10-mer was presented on the surface of uninfected and infected CD8α(+) CD11c(+) dendritic cells, which suggests the use of direct and cross-presentation pathways. In contrast, CD11b(+) CD11c(-) cells bound the TCRm MAb only when they were infected. Our study demonstrates that TCR recognition of peptides is not limited to certain peptide lengths and that TCRm MAbs can be used to dissect the cell-type specific mechanisms of antigen presentation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sojung Kim
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
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17
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Sim ACN, Too CT, Oo MZ, Lai J, Eio MY, Song Z, Srinivasan N, Tan DAL, Pang SW, Gan SU, Lee KO, Loh TKS, Chen J, Chan SH, MacAry PA. Defining the expression hierarchy of latent T-cell epitopes in Epstein-Barr virus infection with TCR-like antibodies. Sci Rep 2013; 3:3232. [PMID: 24240815 PMCID: PMC3831236 DOI: 10.1038/srep03232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a gamma herpesvirus that causes a life-long latent infection in human hosts. The latent gene products LMP1, LMP2A and EBNA1 are expressed by EBV-associated tumors and peptide epitopes derived from these can be targeted by CD8 Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte (CTL) lines. Whilst CTL-based methodologies can be utilized to infer the presence of specific latent epitopes, they do not allow a direct visualization or quantitation of these epitopes. Here, we describe the characterization of three TCR-like monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the latent epitopes LMP1(125-133), LMP2A(426-434) or EBNA1(562-570) in association with HLA-A0201. These are employed to map the expression hierarchy of endogenously generated EBV epitopes. The dominance of EBNA1(562-570) in association with HLA-A0201 was consistently observed in cell lines and EBV-associated tumor biopsies. These data highlight the discordance between MHC-epitope density and frequencies of associated CTL with implications for cell-based immunotherapies and/or vaccines for EBV-associated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Chong Nyi Sim
- 1] Immunology Program, Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore [2] NUS Graduate School of Integrative Sciences and Engineering (NGS), National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore [3]
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18
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Dahan R, Gebe JA, Preisinger A, James EA, Tendler M, Nepom GT, Reiter Y. Antigen-specific immunomodulation for type 1 diabetes by novel recombinant antibodies directed against diabetes-associates auto-reactive T cell epitope. J Autoimmun 2013; 47:83-93. [PMID: 24090977 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2013.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2013] [Revised: 08/19/2013] [Accepted: 08/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The trimolecular complex composed of autoreactive T-cell receptor, MHC class II, and an autoantigenic peptide plays a central role in the activation of pathogenic Islet-specific CD4+ T cells in type 1 diabetes (T1D). We isolated and characterized novel antibodies against autoreactive T-cell epitopes associated with T1D. Our antibodies mimic the specificity of the T-cell receptor (TCR), while binding MHC class II/peptide complexes in an autoantigen peptide specific, MHC-restricted manner. The isolated TCR-like antibodies were directed against the minimal T-cell epitope GAD-555-567 in the context of the HLA-DR4-diabetic-associated molecule. A representative high-affinity TCR-like antibody clone (G3H8) enabled the detection of intra- and extra-cellular DR4/GAD-555-567 complexes in antigen presenting cells. I561M single mutation at the central position (P5) of the GAD-555-567 peptide abolished the binding of G3H8 to the DR4/GAD complex, demonstrating its high fine TCR-like specificity. The G3H8 TCR-like antibody significantly inhibited GAD-555-567 specific, DR4 restricted T-cell response in vitro and in vivo in HLA-DR4 transgenic mice. Our findings constitute a proof-of-concept for the utility of TCR-like antibodies as antigen-specific immunomodulation agents for regulating pathogenic T-cells and suggest that TCR-like antibodies targeting autoreactive MHC class II epitopes are valuable research tools that enable studies related to antigen presentation as well as novel therapeutic agents that may be used to modulate autoimmune disorders such as T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rony Dahan
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
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19
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T-Cell Receptor-Like Antibodies: Targeting the Intracellular Proteome Therapeutic Potential and Clinical Applications. Antibodies (Basel) 2013. [DOI: 10.3390/antib2030517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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20
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Croft NP, Smith SA, Wong YC, Tan CT, Dudek NL, Flesch IEA, Lin LCW, Tscharke DC, Purcell AW. Kinetics of antigen expression and epitope presentation during virus infection. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9:e1003129. [PMID: 23382674 PMCID: PMC3561264 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2012] [Accepted: 11/26/2012] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Current knowledge about the dynamics of antigen presentation to T cells during viral infection is very poor despite being of fundamental importance to our understanding of anti-viral immunity. Here we use an advanced mass spectrometry method to simultaneously quantify the presentation of eight vaccinia virus peptide-MHC complexes (epitopes) on infected cells and the amounts of their source antigens at multiple times after infection. The results show a startling 1000-fold range in abundance as well as strikingly different kinetics across the epitopes monitored. The tight correlation between onset of protein expression and epitope display for most antigens provides the strongest support to date that antigen presentation is largely linked to translation and not later degradation of antigens. Finally, we show a complete disconnect between the epitope abundance and immunodominance hierarchy of these eight epitopes. This study highlights the complexity of viral antigen presentation by the host and demonstrates the weakness of simple models that assume total protein levels are directly linked to epitope presentation and immunogenicity. A major mechanism for the detection of virus infection is the recognition by T cells of short peptide fragments (epitopes) derived from the degradation of intracellular proteins presented at the cell surface in a complex with class I MHC. Whilst the mechanics of antigen degradation and the loading of peptides onto MHC are now well understood, the kinetics of epitope presentation have only been studied for individual model antigens. We addressed this issue by studying vaccinia virus, best known as the smallpox vaccine, using advanced mass spectrometry. Precise and simultaneous quantification of multiple peptide-MHC complexes showed that the surface of infected cells provides a surprisingly dynamic landscape from the point of view of anti-viral T cells. Further, concurrent measurement of virus protein levels demonstrated that in most cases, peak presentation of epitopes occurs at the same time or precedes the time of maximum protein build up. Finally, we found a complete disconnect between the abundance of epitopes on infected cells and the size of the responding T cell populations. These data provide new insights into how virus infected cells are seen by T cells, which is crucial to our understanding of anti-viral immunity and development of vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan P. Croft
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stewart A. Smith
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Yik Chun Wong
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Chor Teck Tan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nadine L. Dudek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Inge E. A. Flesch
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Leon C. W. Lin
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - David C. Tscharke
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- * E-mail: (DCT); (AWP)
| | - Anthony W. Purcell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail: (DCT); (AWP)
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21
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Abstract
Accurately determining the number of peptide-MHC class I complexes on the cell surface is necessary when evaluating cellular processes or pharmaceuticals that alter the antigen presentation machinery. Here I describe a quantitative flow cytometry application for determining the number of peptide-MHC complexes on the surface of cells grown in tissue culture that express an endogenous protein from which the peptide is derived. The procedure requires a monoclonal antibody with the ability to distinguish MHC class I molecules presenting the peptide of interest from other peptide-MHC complexes. Fluorescence signal measured on antibody-labeled cells can be compared to fluorescent-calibrated beads to determine the relative number of antibodies bound to the cell surface and hence the number of specific peptide-MHC complexes expressed by the cell. As new monoclonal antibodies with TCR-like specificity for peptide-MHC complexes are created, this method will be helpful in quantifying the exact numbers of complexes generated by cell types and relating these numbers to physiological outcomes of T cell activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian P Dolan
- Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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22
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Frankenberg N, Lischka P, Pepperl-Klindworth S, Stamminger T, Plachter B. Nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and CRM1-dependent MHC class I peptide presentation of human cytomegalovirus pp65. Med Microbiol Immunol 2012; 201:567-79. [PMID: 22965172 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-012-0269-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2012] [Accepted: 08/25/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The phosphoprotein 65 (pp65) of human cytomegalovirus is a prominent target of the antiviral CD8 T lymphocyte response. This study focused on investigating the properties of pp65 that render it a privileged antigen. It was found that pp65 was metabolically stable. The tegument protein was introduced into MHC class I presentation following its delivery via non-replicating dense bodies. No ubiquitination was found on particle-associated pp65. Proof was obtained that pp65 was a nucleocytoplasmic shuttle protein, using heterokaryon analyses. Based on this finding, inhibition experiments showed that presentation of particle-derived pp65 by HLA-A2 was sensitive to the impairment of the CRM1-mediated nuclear export pathway. The data support the idea that particle-derived pp65 can serve as a nuclear reservoir for proteasomal processing and MHC class I presentation, following its CRM1-dependent nuclear export. The presentation of pp65-derived peptides was also impaired by CRM1-inhibition following de novo synthesis of the tegument protein. However, pp65 protein levels were also reduced when blocking CRM1-mediated export after transient expression. This indicated that pp65 expression rather than direct interference with its own nuclear export was responsible for its reduced presentation in this case. The functionality of CRM1-mediated nuclear export is thus important for the presentation of pp65-derived peptides in the context of MHC class I on organ cells, both after exogenous uptake and after de novo synthesis of the tegument protein, but different mechanisms may account for either case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Frankenberg
- Institute for Virology, University Medical Center Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Str. 67, 55101 Mainz, Germany
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23
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Endogenous viral antigen processing generates peptide-specific MHC class I cell-surface clusters. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:15407-12. [PMID: 22949678 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1208696109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensitivity is essential in CD8+ T-cell killing of virus-infected cells and tumor cells. Although the affinity of the T-cell receptor (TCR) for antigen is relatively low, the avidity of T cell-antigen-presenting cell interactions is greatly enhanced by increasing the valence of the interaction. It is known that TCRs cluster into protein islands after engaging their cognate antigen (peptides bound to MHC molecules). Here, we show that mouse K(b) class I molecules segregate into preformed, long-lasting (hours) clusters on the antigen-presenting cell surface based on their bound viral peptide. Peptide-specific K(b) clustering occurs when source antigens are expressed by vaccinia or vesicular stomatitis virus, either as proteasome-liberated precursors or free intracellular peptides. By contrast, K(b)-peptide complexes generated by incubating cells with synthetic peptides are extensively intermingled on the cell surface. Peptide-specific complex sorting is first detected in the Golgi complex, and compromised by removing the K(b) cytoplasmic tail. Peptide-specific clustering is associated with increased T-cell sensitivity: on a per-complex basis, endogenous SIINFEKL activates T cells more efficiently than synthetic SIINFEKL, and wild-type K(b) presents endogenous SIINFEKL more efficiently than tailless K(b). We propose that endogenous processing generates peptide-specific clusters of class I molecules to maximize the sensitivity and speed of T-cell immunosurveillance.
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24
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MHC class I antigen processing distinguishes endogenous antigens based on their translation from cellular vs. viral mRNA. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:7025-30. [PMID: 22509014 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1112387109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To better understand the generation of MHC class I-associated peptides, we used a model antigenic protein whose proteasome-mediated degradation is rapidly and reversibly controlled by Shield-1, a cell-permeant drug. When expressed from a stably transfected gene, the efficiency of antigen presentation is ~2%, that is, one cell-surface MHC class I-peptide complex is generated for every 50 folded source proteins degraded upon Shield-1 withdrawal. By contrast, when the same protein is expressed by vaccinia virus, its antigen presentation efficiency is reduced ~10-fold to values similar to those reported for other vaccinia virus-encoded model antigens. Virus infection per se does not modify the efficiency of antigen processing. Rather, the efficiency difference between cellular and virus-encoded antigens is based on whether the antigen is synthesized from transgene- vs. virus-encoded mRNA. Thus, class I antigen-processing machinery can distinguish folded proteins based on the precise details of their synthesis to modulate antigen presentation efficiency.
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25
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Weidanz JA, Hawkins O, Verma B, Hildebrand WH. TCR-like biomolecules target peptide/MHC Class I complexes on the surface of infected and cancerous cells. Int Rev Immunol 2012; 30:328-40. [PMID: 22053972 DOI: 10.3109/08830185.2011.604880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The human leukocyte antigen (HLA; also called major histocompatibility, or MHC) class I system presents peptides that distinguish healthy from diseased cells. Therefore, the discovery of peptide/MHC class I markers can provide highly specific targets for immunotherapy. Over the course of almost two decades, various strategies have been used, with mixed success, to produce antibodies that have recognition specificity for unique peptide/MHC class I complexes that mark infected and cancerous cells. Using these antibody reagents, novel peptide/MHC class I targets have been directly validated on diseased cells and new insight has been gained into the mechanisms of antigen presentation. More recently, these antibodies have shown promise for clinical applications such as therapeutic targeting of cancerous and infected cells and diagnosis and imaging of diseased cells. In this review, the authors comprehensively describe the methods used to identify disease-specific peptide/MHC class I epitopes and generate antibodies to these markers. Finally, they offer several examples that illustrate the promise of using these antibodies as anti-cancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon A Weidanz
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Center for Immunotherapeutic Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 1718 Pine, Abilene, TX 79601, USA.
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26
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Abstract
Tumour and virus-infected cells are recognised by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells that, in response, are activated to eliminate these cells. In order to be activated, the clonotypic T-cell receptor (TCR) needs to encounter a specific peptide antigen presented by the membrane surface major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule. Cells that have undergone malignant transformation or viral infection present peptides derived from tumour-associated antigens or viral proteins on their MHC class I molecules. Therefore, disease-specific MHC-peptide complexes are desirable targets for immunotherapeutic approaches. One such approach transforms the unique fine specificity but low intrinsic affinity of TCRs to MHC-peptide complexes into high-affinity soluble antibody molecules endowed with a TCR-like specificity towards tumour or viral epitopes. These antibodies, termed TCR-like antibodies, are being developed as a new class of immunotherapeutics that can target tumour and virus-infected cells and mediate their specific killing. In addition to their therapeutic capabilities, TCR-like antibodies are being developed as diagnostic reagents for cancer and infectious diseases, and serve as valuable research tools for studying MHC class I antigen presentation.
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27
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Yewdell JW. DRiPs solidify: progress in understanding endogenous MHC class I antigen processing. Trends Immunol 2011; 32:548-58. [PMID: 21962745 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2011.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2011] [Revised: 07/27/2011] [Accepted: 08/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Defective ribosomal products (DRiPs) are a subset of rapidly degraded polypeptides that provide peptide ligands for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. Here, recent progress in understanding DRiP biogenesis is reviewed. These findings place DRiPs at the center of the MHC class I antigen processing pathway, linking immunosurveillance of viruses and tumors to mechanisms of specialized translation and cellular compartmentalization. DRiPs enable the immune system to rapidly detect alterations in cellular gene expression with great sensitivity.
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