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Riccardo F, Tarone L, Camerino M, Giacobino D, Iussich S, Barutello G, Arigoni M, Conti L, Bolli E, Quaglino E, Merighi IF, Morello E, Dentini A, Ferrone S, Buracco P, Cavallo F. Antigen mimicry as an effective strategy to induce CSPG4-targeted immunity in dogs with oral melanoma: a veterinary trial. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:e004007. [PMID: 35580930 PMCID: PMC9114861 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-004007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer in humans. Conventional therapies have limited efficacy, and overall response is still unsatisfactory considering that immune checkpoint inhibitors induce lasting clinical responses only in a low percentage of patients. This has prompted us to develop a vaccination strategy employing the tumor antigen chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG)4 as a target. METHODS To overcome the host's unresponsiveness to the self-antigen CSPG4, we have taken advantage of the conservation of CSPG4 sequence through phylogenetic evolution, so we have used a vaccine, based on a chimeric DNA molecule encompassing both human (Hu) and dog (Do) portions of CSPG4 (HuDo-CSPG4). We have tested its safety and immunogenicity (primary objectives), along with its therapeutic efficacy (secondary outcome), in a prospective, non-randomized, veterinary clinical trial enrolling 80 client-owned dogs with surgically resected, CSPG4-positive, stage II-IV oral melanoma. RESULTS Vaccinated dogs developed anti-Do-CSPG4 and Hu-CSPG4 immune response. Interestingly, the antibody titer in vaccinated dogs was significantly associated with the overall survival. Our data suggest that there may be a contribution of the HuDo-CSPG4 vaccination to the improvement of survival of vaccinated dogs as compared with controls treated with conventional therapies alone. CONCLUSIONS HuDo-CSPG4 adjuvant vaccination was safe and immunogenic in dogs with oral melanoma, with potential beneficial effects on the course of the disease. Thanks to the power of naturally occurring canine tumors as predictive models for cancer immunotherapy response, these data may represent a basis for the translation of this approach to the treatment of human patients with CSPG4-positive melanoma subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Riccardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Lidia Tarone
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Davide Giacobino
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Selina Iussich
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Barutello
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Maddalena Arigoni
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bolli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Elena Quaglino
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Irene Fiore Merighi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Emanuela Morello
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Paolo Buracco
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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2
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Wang JY, Zhang W, Roehrl VB, Roehrl MW, Roehrl MH. An Autoantigen Atlas From Human Lung HFL1 Cells Offers Clues to Neurological and Diverse Autoimmune Manifestations of COVID-19. Front Immunol 2022; 13:831849. [PMID: 35401574 PMCID: PMC8987778 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.831849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is accompanied by a myriad of both transient and long-lasting autoimmune responses. Dermatan sulfate (DS), a glycosaminoglycan crucial for wound healing, has unique affinity for autoantigens (autoAgs) from apoptotic cells. DS-autoAg complexes are capable of stimulating autoreactive B cells and autoantibody production. We used DS-affinity proteomics to define the autoantigen-ome of lung fibroblasts and bioinformatics analyses to study the relationship between autoantigenic proteins and COVID-induced alterations. Using DS-affinity, we identified an autoantigen-ome of 408 proteins from human HFL1 cells, at least 231 of which are known autoAgs. Comparing with available COVID data, 352 proteins of the autoantigen-ome have thus far been found to be altered at protein or RNA levels in SARS-CoV-2 infection, 210 of which are known autoAgs. The COVID-altered proteins are significantly associated with RNA metabolism, translation, vesicles and vesicle transport, cell death, supramolecular fibrils, cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix, and interleukin signaling. They offer clues to neurological problems, fibrosis, smooth muscle dysfunction, and thrombosis. In particular, 150 altered proteins are related to the nervous system, including axon, myelin sheath, neuron projection, neuronal cell body, and olfactory bulb. An association with the melanosome is also identified. The findings from our study illustrate a connection between COVID infection and autoimmunity. The vast number of COVID-altered proteins with high intrinsic propensity to become autoAgs offers an explanation for the diverse autoimmune complications in COVID patients. The variety of autoAgs related to mRNA metabolism, translation, and vesicles suggests a need for long-term monitoring of autoimmunity in COVID. The COVID autoantigen atlas we are establishing provides a detailed molecular map for further investigation of autoimmune sequelae of the pandemic, such as “long COVID” syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Y. Wang
- Curandis, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Julia Y. Wang, ; Michael H. Roehrl,
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | | | | | - Michael H. Roehrl
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Julia Y. Wang, ; Michael H. Roehrl,
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3
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Wang JY, Roehrl MW, Roehrl VB, Roehrl MH. A Master Autoantigen-ome Links Alternative Splicing, Female Predilection, and COVID-19 to Autoimmune Diseases. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021:2021.07.30.454526. [PMID: 34373855 PMCID: PMC8351778 DOI: 10.1101/2021.07.30.454526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chronic and debilitating autoimmune sequelae pose a grave concern for the post-COVID-19 pandemic era. Based on our discovery that the glycosaminoglycan dermatan sulfate (DS) displays peculiar affinity to apoptotic cells and autoantigens (autoAgs) and that DS-autoAg complexes cooperatively stimulate autoreactive B1 cell responses, we compiled a database of 751 candidate autoAgs from six human cell types. At least 657 of these have been found to be affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection based on currently available multi-omic COVID data, and at least 400 are confirmed targets of autoantibodies in a wide array of autoimmune diseases and cancer. The autoantigen-ome is significantly associated with various processes in viral infections, such as translation, protein processing, and vesicle transport. Interestingly, the coding genes of autoAgs predominantly contain multiple exons with many possible alternative splicing variants, short transcripts, and short UTR lengths. These observations and the finding that numerous autoAgs involved in RNA-splicing showed altered expression in viral infections suggest that viruses exploit alternative splicing to reprogram host cell machinery to ensure viral replication and survival. While each cell type gives rise to a unique pool of autoAgs, 39 common autoAgs associated with cell stress and apoptosis were identified from all six cell types, with several being known markers of systemic autoimmune diseases. In particular, the common autoAg UBA1 that catalyzes the first step in ubiquitination is encoded by an X-chromosome escape gene. Given its essential function in apoptotic cell clearance and that X-inactivation escape tends to increase with aging, UBA1 dysfunction can therefore predispose aging women to autoimmune disorders. In summary, we propose a model of how viral infections lead to extensive molecular alterations and host cell death, autoimmune responses facilitated by autoAg-DS complexes, and ultimately autoimmune diseases. Overall, this master autoantigen-ome provides a molecular guide for investigating the myriad of autoimmune sequalae to COVID-19 and clues to the rare but reported adverse effects of the currently available COVID vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Michael H. Roehrl
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
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4
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Wang JY, Zhang W, Roehrl MW, Roehrl VB, Roehrl MH. An Autoantigen Atlas from Human Lung HFL1 Cells Offers Clues to Neurological and Diverse Autoimmune Manifestations of COVID-19. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021:2021.01.24.427965. [PMID: 33501444 PMCID: PMC7836114 DOI: 10.1101/2021.01.24.427965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 is accompanied by a myriad of both transient and long-lasting autoimmune responses. Dermatan sulfate (DS), a glycosaminoglycan crucial for wound healing, has unique affinity for autoantigens (autoAgs) from apoptotic cells. DS-autoAg complexes are capable of stimulating autoreactive B cells and autoantibody production. Using DS affinity, we identified an autoantigenome of 408 proteins from human fetal lung fibroblast HFL11 cells, at least 231 of which are known autoAgs. Comparing with available COVID data, 352 proteins of the autoantigenome have thus far been found to be altered at protein or RNA levels in SARS-Cov-2 infection, 210 of which are known autoAgs. The COVID-altered proteins are significantly associated with RNA metabolism, translation, vesicles and vesicle transport, cell death, supramolecular fibrils, cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix, and interleukin signaling. They offer clues to neurological problems, fibrosis, smooth muscle dysfunction, and thrombosis. In particular, 150 altered proteins are related to the nervous system, including axon, myelin sheath, neuron projection, neuronal cell body, and olfactory bulb. An association with the melanosome is also identified. The findings from our study illustrate a strong connection between viral infection and autoimmunity. The vast number of COVID-altered proteins with propensity to become autoAgs offers an explanation for the diverse autoimmune complications in COVID patients. The variety of autoAgs related to mRNA metabolism, translation, and vesicles raises concerns about potential adverse effects of mRNA vaccines. The COVID autoantigen atlas we are establishing provides a detailed molecular map for further investigation of autoimmune sequelae of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, China
| | | | | | - Michael H. Roehrl
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
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5
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Kanduc D. Oligopeptides for Immunotherapy Approaches in Ovarian Cancer Treatment. Curr Drug Discov Technol 2020; 16:285-289. [PMID: 29793409 DOI: 10.2174/1570163815666180525071740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-ovarian cancer vaccines based on minimal immune determinants uniquely expressed in ovarian cancer biomarkers appear to promise a high level of sensitivity and specificity for ovarian cancer immunodiagnostics, immunoprevention, and immunotherapy. METHODS Using the Pir Peptide Match program, three ovarian cancer biomarkers - namely, sperm surface protein Sp17, WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 2, and müllerian-inhibiting substance - were searched for unique peptide segments not shared with other human proteins. Then, the unique peptide segments were assembled to define oligopeptides potentially usable as synthetic ovarian cancer antigens. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION This study describes a methodology for constructing ovarian cancer biomarkerderived oligopeptide constructs that might induce powerful, specific, and non-crossreactive immune responses against ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darja Kanduc
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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6
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Zhang W, Rho JH, Roehrl MW, Roehrl MH, Wang JY. A repertoire of 124 potential autoantigens for autoimmune kidney diseases identified by dermatan sulfate affinity enrichment of kidney tissue proteins. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219018. [PMID: 31237920 PMCID: PMC6592568 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoantigens are the molecular targets in autoimmune diseases. They are a cohort of seemingly unrelated self-molecules present in different parts of the body, yet they can trigger a similar chain of autoimmune responses such as autoantibody production. We previously reported that dermatan sulfate (DS) can bind self-molecules of dying cells to stimulate autoreactive CD5+ B cells to produce autoantibodies. The formation of autoantigen-DS complexes converts the normally non-antigenic self-molecules to none-self antigens, and thus DS-affinity represents a common underlying biochemical property for autoantigens. This study sought to apply this property to identify potential autoantigens in the kidney. Total proteins were extracted from mouse kidney tissues and loaded onto DS-Sepharose resins. Proteins without affinity were washed off the resins, whereas those with increasing DS-affinity were eluted with step gradients of increasing salt strength. Fractions with strong and moderate DS-affinity were sequenced by mass spectrometry and yielded 25 and 99 proteins, respectively. An extensive literature search was conducted to validate whether these had been previously reported as autoantigens. Of the 124 proteins, 79 were reported autoantigens, and 19 out of 25 of the strong-DS-binding ones were well-known autoantigens. Moreover, these proteins largely fell into the two most common autoantibody categories in autoimmune kidney diseases, including 40 ANA (anti-nuclear autoantibodies) and 25 GBM (glomerular basement membrane) autoantigens. In summary, this study compiles a large repertoire of potential autoantigens for autoimmune kidney diseases. This autoantigen-ome sheds light on the molecular etiology of autoimmunity and further supports our hypothesis DS-autoantigen complexes as a unifying principle of autoantigenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, China
| | | | | | - Michael H. Roehrl
- Department of Pathology and Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JYW); (MHR)
| | - Julia Y. Wang
- Curandis, Scarsdale, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (JYW); (MHR)
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7
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From influenza infection to anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies via cross-reactivity. INFECTION INTERNATIONAL 2018. [DOI: 10.2478/ii-2019-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Autoantibodies (AAbs) against von Willebrand factor (vWF)-cleaving protease ADAMTS13 causally relate to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). How anti-ADAMTS13 AAbs are generated is unknown. Starting from reports according to which influenza infection can trigger TTP by the production of ADAMTS13 AAbs, this study explores influenza viruses and ADAMTS13 protein for common peptide sequences that might underlie anti-influenza immune responses able to cross-react with ADAMTS13. Results document that numerous peptides are shared between influenza A and B viruses and ADAMTS13, thus supporting the hypothesis of cross-reactivity as a mechanism driving the generation of anti-ADAMTS13 AAbs.
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8
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Lucchese A, Guida A, Capone G, Donnarumma G, Laino L, Petruzzi M, Serpico R, Silvestre F, Gargari M. Proteomic peptide scan of porphyromonas gingivalis fima type ii for searching potential b-cell epitopes. ORAL & IMPLANTOLOGY 2017; 9:83-88. [PMID: 28042435 DOI: 10.11138/orl/2016.9.2.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify potential antigenic targets for Porphyromonas gingivalis vaccine development. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the present study, we analyzed the Porphyromonas gingivalis, fimA type II primary amino acid sequence and characterized the similarity to the human proteome at the pentapeptide level. RESULTS We found that exact peptide-peptide profiling of the fimbrial antigen versus the human proteome shows that only 19 out of 344 fimA type II pentapeptides are uniquely owned by the bacterial protein. CONCLUSIONS The concept that protein immunogenicity is allocated in rare peptide sequences and the search the Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA type II sequence for peptides unique to the bacterial protein and absent in the human host, might be used in new therapeutical approaches as a significant adjunct to current periodontal therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Lucchese
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Odontostomatological Specialties, Second University of Naples SUN, Naples, Italy
| | - A Guida
- Postgraduate School in Oral Surgery, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - G Capone
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - G Donnarumma
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - L Laino
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Odontostomatological Specialties, Second University of Naples SUN, Naples, Italy
| | - M Petruzzi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM) - Section of Dentistry, University "Aldo Moro" of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - R Serpico
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Odontostomatological Specialties, Second University of Naples SUN, Naples, Italy
| | - F Silvestre
- Departimento de Estomatologia, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - M Gargari
- Department of Clinical Sciences And Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy; Department of dentistry "Fra G.B. Orsenigo - Ospedale San Pietro F.B.F.", Rome, Italy
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9
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Wu CH, Liu IJ, Lu RM, Wu HC. Advancement and applications of peptide phage display technology in biomedical science. J Biomed Sci 2016; 23:8. [PMID: 26786672 PMCID: PMC4717660 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-016-0223-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 203] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Combinatorial phage library is a powerful research tool for high-throughput screening of protein interactions. Of all available molecular display techniques, phage display has proven to be the most popular approach. Screening phage-displayed random peptide libraries is an effective means of identifying peptides that can bind target molecules and regulate their function. Phage-displayed peptide libraries can be used for (i) B-cell and T-cell epitope mapping, (ii) selection of bioactive peptides bound to receptors or proteins, disease-specific antigen mimics, peptides bound to non-protein targets, cell-specific peptides, or organ-specific peptides, and (iii) development of peptide-mediated drug delivery systems and other applications. Targeting peptides identified using phage display technology may be useful for basic research and translational medicine. In this review article, we summarize the latest technological advancements in the application of phage-displayed peptide libraries to applied biomedical sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Hsun Wu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - I-Ju Liu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Ruei-Min Lu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Han-Chung Wu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, 128 Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
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Nicolosi PA, Dallatomasina A, Perris R. Theranostic impact of NG2/CSPG4 proteoglycan in cancer. Theranostics 2015; 5:530-44. [PMID: 25767619 PMCID: PMC4350014 DOI: 10.7150/thno.10824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
NG2/CSPG4 is an unusual cell-membrane integral proteoglycan widely recognized to be a prognostic factor, a valuable tool for ex vivo and non-invasive molecular diagnostics and, by virtue of its tight association with malignancy, a tantalizing therapeutic target in several tumour types. Although the biology behind its involvement in cancer progression needs to be better understood, implementation of NG2/CSPG4 in the routine clinical practice is attainable and has the potential to contribute to an improved individualized management of cancer patients. In this context, its polymorphic nature seems to be particularly valuable in the effort to standardize informative diagnostic procedures and consolidate forcible immunotherapeutic treatment strategies. We discuss here the underpinnings for this potential and highlight the benefits of taking advantage of the intra-tumour and inter-patient variability in the regulation of NG2/CSPG4 expression. We envision that NG2/CSPG4 may effectively be exploited in therapeutic interventions aimed at averting resistance to target therapy agents and at interfering with secondary lesion formation and/or tumour recurrence.
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11
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Kanduc D, Fasano C, Bavaro SL, Novello G, Lucchese G, Capone G. Peptide profiling of the route from Mahoney to Sabin, and return. J Basic Microbiol 2014; 54:369-77. [DOI: 10.1002/jobm.201200642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Accepted: 02/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Darja Kanduc
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Pharmacological Sciences; University of Bari; Bari Italy
| | - Candida Fasano
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Pharmacological Sciences; University of Bari; Bari Italy
| | - Simona Lucia Bavaro
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Pharmacological Sciences; University of Bari; Bari Italy
| | - Giuseppe Novello
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Pharmacological Sciences; University of Bari; Bari Italy
| | - Guglielmo Lucchese
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Pharmacological Sciences; University of Bari; Bari Italy
| | - Giovanni Capone
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Pharmacological Sciences; University of Bari; Bari Italy
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12
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Bodzek P, Partyka R, Damasiewicz-Bodzek A. Antibodies against Hsp60 and Hsp65 in the sera of women with ovarian cancer. J Ovarian Res 2014; 7:30. [PMID: 24618330 PMCID: PMC3984705 DOI: 10.1186/1757-2215-7-30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 02/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of IgG antibodies against Hsp60 and Hsp65 in sera of patients with ovarian cancer at various stages of clinical progress and for different histopathological types of disease. Methods Serum samples from 149 patients with ovarian carcinoma and 80 healthy women were investigated. The concentrations of anti-Hsp60 and anti-Hsp65 antibodies were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Results The mean concentrations of anti-Hsp60 and anti-Hsp65 antibodies in the patients with ovarian cancer did not differ significantly from the mean levels in healthy women. Analysis in relation to the clinical progression stage showed that the concentrations of these antibodies were higher when the neoplastic process was less advanced and at early stages significantly higher than in control group. Mean concentrations of both antibodies were not significantly different in relation to the histological type of the ovarian cancer. The use of chemotherapy as a primary anticancer treatment did not cause a significant change in the concentration of anti-Hsp60 antibodies, but the mean level of anti-Hsp65 after this treatment was significantly higher than in control group. Conclusions The immunological response to Hsp60/65 is increased in early clinical stages of ovarian cancer and the level of anti-hsp60/65 antibodies may be then a helpful diagnostic marker. Even antibodies against highly homologous Hsps may be cross-reactive only partially and differ by some functional properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Bodzek
- Department of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Oncological Gynaecology, Medical University of Silesia, Batorego 15, 41-902 Bytom, Poland.
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13
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Spinosa JP, Kanduc D. Ovarian cancer: designing effective vaccines and specific diagnostic tools. Immunotherapy 2014; 6:35-41. [DOI: 10.2217/imt.13.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Notwithstanding a renewed interest in the application of immunotherapy as an alternative to chemotherapy and radiotherapy for the treatment of ovarian cancer (OC), and in spite of the available knowledge about ovarian tumor-associated-antigens, the search for a vaccine against OC remains a scientific and clinical challenge. Likewise, immunodiagnostics can detect only a late stage of the disease. Thus, the development of new therapeutic and diagnostic options is highly desirable. Methods: Based on the low-similarity hypothesis, which supports the concept that immunogenicity is preferentially associated to sequences with no/low-similarity to the host proteome, and using Protein Information Resource peptide match program, we searched the ovarian tumor antigen CA125 for amino acid sequences unique to CA125 and absent in the remaining human proteins. Results & conclusion: We identified a set of 159 pentapeptides unique to CA125 that might be used to design specific and effective immunological tools for diagnosis and treatment of OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Pierre Spinosa
- Department Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
- Faculty of Biology & Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Darja Kanduc
- Department Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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14
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Minkiewicz P, Bucholska J, Darewicz M, Borawska J. Epitopic hexapeptide sequences from Baltic cod parvalbumin beta (allergen Gad c 1) are common in the universal proteome. Peptides 2012; 38:105-9. [PMID: 22940202 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2012.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2012] [Revised: 08/14/2012] [Accepted: 08/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze the distribution of hexapeptide fragments considered as epitopes of Baltic cod parvalbumin beta (allergen Gad c 1) in the universal proteome. Cod (Gadus morhua subsp. callarias) parvalbumin hexapeptides cataloged in the Immune Epitope Database were used as query sequences. The UniProt database was screened using the WU-BLAST 2 program. The distribution of hexapeptide fragments was investigated in various protein families, classified according to the presence of the appropriate domains, and in proteins of plant, animal and microbial species. Hexapeptides from cod parvalbumin were found in the proteins of plants and animals which are food sources, microorganisms with various applications in food technology and biotechnology, microorganisms which are human symbionts and commensals as well as human pathogens. In the last case possible coverage between epitopes from pathogens and allergens should be avoided during vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Minkiewicz
- University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Chair of Food Biochemistry, Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland.
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Shishido SN, Varahan S, Yuan K, Li X, Fleming SD. Humoral innate immune response and disease. Clin Immunol 2012; 144:142-58. [PMID: 22771788 PMCID: PMC3576926 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2012.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2012] [Revised: 06/05/2012] [Accepted: 06/09/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The humoral innate immune response consists of multiple components, including the naturally occurring antibodies (NAb), pentraxins and the complement and contact cascades. As soluble, plasma components, these innate proteins provide key elements in the prevention and control of disease. However, pathogens and cells with altered self proteins utilize multiple humoral components to evade destruction and promote pathogy. Many studies have examined the relationship between humoral immunity and autoimmune disorders. This review focuses on the interactions between the humoral components and their role in promoting the pathogenesis of bacterial and viral infections and chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancer. Understanding the beneficial and detrimental aspects of the individual components and the interactions between proteins which regulate the innate and adaptive response will provide therapeutic targets for subsequent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie N Shishido
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
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16
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Lucchese G, Pesce Delfino A. Developing an anti-Campylobacter jejunivaccine. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 2012; 34:385-90. [DOI: 10.3109/08923973.2011.608685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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17
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Proposing low-similarity peptide vaccines against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. J Biomed Biotechnol 2010; 2010:832341. [PMID: 20625421 PMCID: PMC2896900 DOI: 10.1155/2010/832341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2009] [Revised: 12/02/2009] [Accepted: 03/24/2010] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Using the currently available proteome databases and based on the concept that a rare sequence is a potential epitope, epitopic sequences derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis were examined for similarity score to the proteins of the host in which the epitopes were defined. We found that: (i) most of the bacterial linear determinants had peptide fragment(s) that were rarely found in the host proteins and (ii) the relationship between low similarity and epitope definition appears potentially applicable to T-cell determinants. The data confirmed the hypothesis that low-sequence similarity shapes or determines the epitope definition at the molecular level and provides a potential tool for designing new approaches to prevent, diagnose, and treat tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.
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18
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Kanduc D. Protein information content resides in rare peptide segments. Peptides 2010; 31:983-8. [PMID: 20153390 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2010] [Revised: 02/03/2010] [Accepted: 02/03/2010] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Discovering the informational rule(s) underlying structure-function relationships in the protein language is at the core of biology. Current theories have proven inadequate to explain the origins of biological information such as that found in nucleotide and amino acid sequences. Here, we demonstrate that the information content of an amino acid motif correlates with the motif rarity. A structured analysis of the scientific literature supports the theory that rare pentapeptide words have higher significance than more common pentapeptides in biological cell 'talk'. This study expands on our previous research showing that the immunological information contained in an amino acid sequence is inversely related to the sequence frequency in the host proteome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darja Kanduc
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bari, Italy.
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19
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Stufano A, Capone G, Pesetti B, Polimeno L, Kanduc D. Clustering of rare peptide segments in the HCV immunome. SELF/NONSELF 2010; 1:154-162. [PMID: 21487517 PMCID: PMC3065674 DOI: 10.4161/self.1.2.11391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2010] [Revised: 02/01/2010] [Accepted: 02/03/2010] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Our previous research and a comprehensive meta-analysis of data from the literature on epitope mapping has revealed that the B cell epitope repertoire is allocated to rare peptide motifs, i.e., antigenic peptide sequences endowed with a low level of similarity to the host proteome. From a clinical point of view, low-similarity peptides able to evoke an immune response appear to be of special interest for the rational design of vaccines for poorly treatable diseases such as hepatitis-C virus (HCV) infection. Indeed, low similarity peptides would guarantee the highest specificity and lowest cross-reactivity, i.e., effectiveness without adverse side-effects. In this study, aimed at gaining further information for the development of effective anti-HCV peptide-based vaccines, the HCV epitopes recognized by human antibodies and currently catalogued in the Immune Epitope Data Base (IEDB) were examined for pentamer sequence similarities to the human proteome. We report that the analyzed HCV determinants are characterized by the presence of fragment absent from (or scarcely represented in) human proteins. These data confirm the low-similarity hypothesis, according to which a low-similarity to the host proteome defines the nonself character of microbial antigens and modulates peptide immunogenicity. Moreover, this study indicates a concrete and safe immunotherapeutic approach which might be used in a universal anti-HCV vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Stufano
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; University of Bari; Bari, Italy
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20
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Kanduc D. The self/nonself issue: A confrontation between proteomes. SELF NONSELF 2010; 1:255-258. [PMID: 21487482 DOI: 10.4161/self.1.3.11897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2010] [Accepted: 01/29/2010] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Defining self and nonself is the most compelling challenge in science today, at the basis of the numerous questions that remain unanswered in the immunology-pathology-therapy debate. The generation of the antibody repertoire, the complicated scenario offered by tolerance and autoimmunity, natural auto-antibodies and their relationship to autoimmune diseases, and positive and negative selection are only a few examples of the unresolved immunological questions. In this context, we proposed that sequence similarity to the host proteome modulates antigen peptide recognition and immunogenicity. Using the available proteome assemblies of viruses, bacteria and higher vertebrates, and applying the low-similarity criterion, we are systematically defining the proteomic similarity of B-cell epitopes already validated experimentally. Here, we report further data documenting that a low similarity to the host proteome is the common property that defines the immunological "nonself" nature of antigenic sequences in cancer, autoimmunity, infectious diseases and allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darja Kanduc
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; University of Bari; Bari, Italy
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21
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Kusalik A, Trost B, Bickis M, Fasano C, Capone G, Kanduc D. Codon number shapes peptide redundancy in the universal proteome composition. Peptides 2009; 30:1940-4. [PMID: 19591891 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2009.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2009] [Revised: 06/29/2009] [Accepted: 06/30/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The proteomes catalogued in the UniRef100 database were collected into a single proteome set and examined for actual versus theoretical pentapeptide occurrences. We found a highly diversified degree of pentapeptide redundancy. Numerically, 953 pentamers are expressed only once in the protein world, whereas 103 pentamers occur more than 50,000 times. Moreover, it seems that 417 potentially possible pentapeptides are not present in the protein world. On the whole, tracing the redundancy profile of the protein world as a function of pentapeptide occurrences reveals a quasi-Gaussian curve, with tails representing scarcely and repeatedly occurring 5-mers. Analysis of physico-chemical-biological parameters shows that codon number is the main factor influencing and favoring specific pentapeptide frequencies in the universal proteome composition. That is, when compared to the set of never-expressed 5-mers, the pentapeptides frequently represented in the universal proteome are endowed with a higher number of multi-codonic amino acids. In contrast, the bulkiness degree and the hydrophobicity level play a smaller role. Unexpectedly, the heat of formation of pentapeptide appears to have the least influence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Kusalik
- Department of Computer Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
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22
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Taylor DD, Gercel-Taylor C, Parker LP. Patient-derived tumor-reactive antibodies as diagnostic markers for ovarian cancer. Gynecol Oncol 2009; 115:112-120. [PMID: 19647308 PMCID: PMC2760307 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2009.06.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2009] [Revised: 06/17/2009] [Accepted: 06/19/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Most ovarian cancers are diagnosed at advanced stage (67%) and prospects for significant improvement in survival reside in early diagnosis. Our objective was to validate our array assay for the identification of ovarian cancer based on quantitation of tumor-reactive IgG. METHODS The diagnostic array utilizes specific exosome-derived antigens to detect reactive IgG in patients' sera. Specific protein targets were isolated by immunoaffinity from exosomes derived from ovarian tumor cell lines. Sera were obtained from age-matched female volunteers, women with benign ovarian disease and with ovarian cancer. Immunoreactivity was also compared between exosomal proteins and their recombinant counterparts. RESULTS Sera from ovarian cancer patients exhibited significantly greater immunoreactivities than either normal controls or women with benign disease (both considered negative to all antigens tested). Reactivities with nucleophosmin, cathepsin D, p53, and SSX common antigen for patients with all stages of ovarian cancer were significantly higher than for controls and women with benign ovarian disease. Reactivity with placental type alkaline phosphatase, TAG 72, survivin, NY-ESO-1, GRP78, and Muc16 (CA125) allowed the differentiation between Stage III/IV and early stage ovarian cancer. CONCLUSIONS The quantitation of circulating tumor-reactive IgG can be used to identify the presence of ovarian cancer. The analyses of IgG recognition of specific exosomal antigens allows for the differentiation of women with benign ovarian masses from ovarian cancer, as well as distinguishing early and late stage ovarian cancers. Thus, the quantitative assessment of IgG reactive with specific tumor-derived exosomal proteins can be used as diagnostic markers for ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas D Taylor
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
| | - Cicek Gercel-Taylor
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Lynn P Parker
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
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23
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Stufano A, Kanduc D. Proteome-based epitopic peptide scanning along PSA. Exp Mol Pathol 2009; 86:36-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2008.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2008] [Accepted: 11/26/2008] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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24
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Immunogenicity in peptide-immunotherapy: from self/nonself to similar/dissimilar sequences. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2008; 640:198-207. [PMID: 19065793 DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-09789-3_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The nature of the relationship between an antigenic amino acid sequence and its capability to evoke an immune response is still an unsolved problem. Although experiments indicate that specific (dis)continuous amino acid sequences may determine specific immune responses, how immunogenic properties and recognition informations are mapped onto a non-linear sequence is not understood. Immunology has invoked the concept of self/nonself discrimination in order to explain the capability of the organism to selectively immunoreact. However, no clear, logical and rational pathway has emerged to relate a structure and its immuno-nonreactivity. It cannot yet be dismissed what Koshland wrote in 1990: "Of all the mysteries of modern science, the mechanism of self versus nonself recognition in the immune system ranks at or near the top". This chapter reviews the concept of self/nonself discrimination in the immune system starting from the historical perspective and the conceptual framework that underlie immune reaction pattern. It also introduces future research directions based on a proteomic dissection of the immune unit, qualitatively defined as a low-similarity sequence and quantitatively delimitated by the minimum amino acid requisite able to evoke an immune response, independently ofany, microbial or viral, "foreignness".
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25
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Correlating low-similarity peptide sequences and HIV B-cell epitopes. Autoimmun Rev 2008; 7:291-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2007.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2007] [Accepted: 11/06/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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26
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Kusalik A, Bickis M, Lewis C, Li Y, Lucchese G, Marincola FM, Kanduc D. Widespread and ample peptide overlapping between HCV and Homo sapiens proteomes. Peptides 2007; 28:1260-7. [PMID: 17485143 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2007.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2007] [Revised: 03/29/2007] [Accepted: 04/03/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Alignment of protein sequences is fundamental in analyzing homology, evolutionary events and functional relationships. Searching for the epitopic peptide platform underlying hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and autoimmune phenomena, we have used sequence-sequence peptide matching to compare the HCV polyprotein sequence to the human proteome. The following results were obtained: (1) pentamers from HCV polyprotein have a widespread and high level of similarity to a large number of human proteins (19,605 human proteins, that is 57.6% of the human proteome); (2) remarkable similarity between the two proteomes persists even using longer peptide motifs as probes for identity scanning; (3) only a limited number of HCV pentameric fragments have no similarity to the human host, so representing molecular sequence signatures of the virus. We conclude that the widespread sharing of numerous perfect exact matches between HCV and human proteomes might explain HCV persistence in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Kusalik
- Department of Computer Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
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27
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Abstract
Experimental analyses and literature survey reveal low-redundancy to the host proteins as a common denominator of immunogenic sequences mapped along tumor-, autoimmune-, and infectious disease-associated-proteins. The hypothesis that immunogenicity of peptide sequences is linked to proteomic redundancy is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darja Kanduc
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bari, Italy.
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28
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Lucchese G, Stufano A, Trost B, Kusalik A, Kanduc D. Peptidology: short amino acid modules in cell biology and immunology. Amino Acids 2006; 33:703-7. [PMID: 17077961 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-006-0458-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2006] [Accepted: 10/05/2006] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Short amino acid motifs, either linear sequences or discontinuous amino acid groupings, can interact with specific protein domains, so exerting a central role in cell adhesion, signal transduction, hormone activity, regulation of transcript expression, enzyme activity, and antigen-antibody interaction. Here, we analyze the literature for such critical short amino acid motifs to determine the minimal peptide length involved in biologically important interactions. We report the pentapeptide unit as a common minimal amino acid sequence critically involved in peptide-protein interaction and immune recognition. The present survey may have implications in defining the dimensional module for peptide-based therapeutical approaches such as the development of novel antibiotics, enzyme inhibitors/activators, mimetic agonists/antagonists of neuropeptides, thrombolitic agents, specific anti-viral agents, etc. In such a therapeutical context, it is of considerable interest that low molecular weight peptides can easily cross biological barriers, are less susceptible to protease attacks, and can be administered at high concentrations. In addition, small peptides are a rational target for strategies aimed at antigen-specific immunotherapeutical intervention. As an example, specific short peptide fragments might be used to elicit antibodies capable of reacting with the full-length proteins containing the peptide fragment's amino acid sequence, so abolishing the risk of cross-reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Lucchese
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology "Ernesto Quagliariello", University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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29
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Angelini G, Bonamonte D, Lucchese A, Favia G, Serpico R, Mittelman A, Simone S, Sinha AA, Kanduc D. Preliminary data on Pemphigus vulgaris treatment by a proteomics-defined peptide: a case report. J Transl Med 2006; 4:43. [PMID: 17062151 PMCID: PMC1630706 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-4-43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2006] [Accepted: 10/24/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although described by Hippocrates in 400 B.C., pemphigus disease still needs a safe therapeutical approach, given that the currently used therapies (i.e. corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs) often provoke collateral effects. Here we present preliminary data on the possible use of a proteomics derived desmoglein peptide which appears promising in halting disease progression without adverse effects. Methods The low-similarity Dsg349–60REWVKFAKPCRE peptide was topically applied for 1 wk onto a lesion in a patient with a late-stage Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) complicated by diabetes and cataract disease. The peptide was applied as an adjuvant in combination with the standard corticosteroid-based immunosuppressive treatment. Results After 1 wk, the treated PV eroded lesion appeared dimensionally reduced and with an increased rate of re-epithelization when compared to adjacent non-treated lesions. Short-term benefits were: decrease of anti-Dsg antibody titer and reduction of the corticosteroid dosage. Long-term benefits: after two years following the unique 1-wk topical treatment, the decrease of anti-Dsg antibody titer persists. The patient is still at the low cortisone dosage. Adverse effects: no adverse effect could be monitored. Conclusion With the limits inherent to any preliminary study, this case report indicates that topical treatment with Dsg349–60REWVKFAKPCRE peptide may represent a feasible first step in the search for a simple, effective and safe treatment of PV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Angelini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Dermatology Section, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Bonamonte
- Department of Internal Medicine, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Dermatology Section, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Alberta Lucchese
- Department of Odontostomatology and Surgery, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Favia
- Department of Odontostomatology and Surgery, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Rosario Serpico
- Institute of Clinical Odontostomatology, 2University of Naples, Italy
| | | | - Simone Simone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bari, Italy
| | - Animesh A Sinha
- Division of Dermatology and Cutaneous Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA
| | - Darja Kanduc
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bari, Italy
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30
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Soeria-Atmadja D, Lundell T, Gustafsson MG, Hammerling U. Computational detection of allergenic proteins attains a new level of accuracy with in silico variable-length peptide extraction and machine learning. Nucleic Acids Res 2006; 34:3779-93. [PMID: 16977698 PMCID: PMC1540723 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkl467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The placing of novel or new-in-the-context proteins on the market, appearing in genetically modified foods, certain bio-pharmaceuticals and some household products leads to human exposure to proteins that may elicit allergic responses. Accurate methods to detect allergens are therefore necessary to ensure consumer/patient safety. We demonstrate that it is possible to reach a new level of accuracy in computational detection of allergenic proteins by presenting a novel detector, Detection based on Filtered Length-adjusted Allergen Peptides (DFLAP). The DFLAP algorithm extracts variable length allergen sequence fragments and employs modern machine learning techniques in the form of a support vector machine. In particular, this new detector shows hitherto unmatched specificity when challenged to the Swiss-Prot repository without appreciable loss of sensitivity. DFLAP is also the first reported detector that successfully discriminates between allergens and non-allergens occurring in protein families known to hold both categories. Allergenicity assessment for specific protein sequences of interest using DFLAP is possible via ulfh@slv.se.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - M. G. Gustafsson
- Department of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala UniversityPO Box 534, SE-751 21 Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Rudbeck LaboratorySE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Correspondence may also be addressed to M. G. Gustafsson. Tel: +46 18 4713229; Fax: +46 18 555096; Present address: M. G. Gustafsson, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala University Hospital, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
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31
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Lucchese A, Mittelman A, Tessitore L, Serpico R, Sinha AA, Kanduc D. Proteomic definition of a desmoglein linear determinant common to Pemphigus vulgaris and Pemphigus foliaceous. J Transl Med 2006; 4:37. [PMID: 16925820 PMCID: PMC1590053 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-4-37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2006] [Accepted: 08/22/2006] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A number of autoimmune diseases have been clinically and pathologically characterized. In contrast, target antigens have been identified only in a few cases and, in these few cases, the knowledge of the exact epitopic antigenic sequence is still lacking. Thus the major objective of current work in the autoimmunity field is the identification of the epitopic sequences that are related to autoimmune reactions. Our labs propose that autoantigen peptide epitopes able to evoke humoral (auto)immune response are defined by the sequence similarity to the host proteome. The underlying scientific rationale is that antigen peptides acquire immunoreactivity in the context of their proteomic similarity level. Sequences uniquely owned by a protein will have high potential to evoke an immune reaction, whereas motifs with high proteomic redundancy should be immunogenically silenced by the tolerance phenomenon. The relationship between sequence redundancy and peptide immunoreactivity has been successfully validated in a number of experimental models. Here the hypothesis has been applied to pemphigus diseases and the corresponding desmoglein autoantigens. Methods Desmoglein 3 sequence similarity analysis to the human proteome followed by dot-blot/NMR immunoassays were carried out to identify and validate possible epitopic sequences. Results Computational analysis led to identifying a linear immunodominant desmoglein-3 epitope highly reactive with the sera from Pemphigus vulgaris as well as Pemphigus foliaceous. The epitopic peptide corresponded to the amino acid REWVKFAKPCRE sequence, was located in the extreme N-terminal region (residues 49 to 60), and had low redundancy to the human proteome. Sequence alignment showed that human desmoglein 1 and 3 share the REW-KFAK–RE sequence as a common motif with 75% residue identity. Conclusion This study 1) validates sequence redundancy to autoproteome as a main factor in shaping desmoglein peptide immunogenicity; 2) offers a molecular mechanicistic basis in analyzing the commonality of autoimmune responses exhibited by the two forms of pemphigus; 3) indicates possible peptide-immunotherapeutical approaches for pemphigus diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rosario Serpico
- Institute of Clinical Odontostomatology, 2University of Naples, Italy
| | - Animesh A Sinha
- Division of Dermatology and Cutaneous Sciences, Center for Investigative Dermatology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Darja Kanduc
- Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bari, Italy
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32
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Lucchese A, Willers J, Mittelman A, Kanduc D, Dummer R. Proteomic Scan for Tyrosinase Peptide Antigenic Pattern in Vitiligo and Melanoma: Role of Sequence Similarity and HLA-DR1 Affinity. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2005; 175:7009-20. [PMID: 16272362 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.175.10.7009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Immune responses contribute to the pathogenesis of vitiligo and target melanoma sometimes associated with vitiligo-like depigmentation in some melanoma patients. We analyzed the sera from patients with vitiligo and cutaneous melanoma for reactivity toward tyrosinase peptide sequences 1) endowed with low level of similarity to human proteome, and 2) potentially able to bind HLA-DR1 Ags. We report that the tyrosinase autoantigen was immunorecognized with the same molecular pattern by sera from vitiligo and melanoma patients. Five autoantigen peptides composed the immunodominant anti-tyrosinase response: aa95-104FMGFNCGNCK; aa175-182 LFVWMHYY; aa176-190FVWMHYYVSMDALLG; aa222-236IQKLTGDENFTIPYW, and aa233-247 IPYWDWRDAEKCDIC. All of the five antigenic peptides were characterized by being (or containing) a sequence with low similarity level to the self proteome. Sera from healthy subjects were responsive to aa95-104FMGFNCGNCK, aa222-236IQKLTGDENFTIPYW, and aa233-247 IPYWDWRDAEKCDIC, but did not react with the aa175-182LFVWMHYY and aa176-190FVWMHYYVSMDALLG peptide sequences containing the copper-binding His180 and the oculocutaneous albinism I-A variant position F176. Our results indicate a clear-cut link between peptide immunogenicity and low similarity level of the corresponding amino acid sequence, and are an example of a comparative analysis that might allow to comprehensively distinguish the epitopic peptide sequences within a disease from those associated to natural autoantibodies. In particular, these data, for the first time, delineate the linear B epitope pattern on tyrosinase autoantigen and provide definitive evidence of humoral immune responses against tyrosinase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberta Lucchese
- Department of Odontostomatology and Surgery, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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33
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Willers J, Lucchese A, Mittelman A, Dummer R, Kanduc D. Definition of anti-tyrosinase MAb T311 linear determinant by proteome-based similarity analysis. Exp Dermatol 2005; 14:543-50. [PMID: 15946243 DOI: 10.1111/j.0906-6705.2005.00327.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Using non-self discrimination as a driving force in generating peptide immunogenicity, we have developed a computer-assisted proteomic analysis in order to identify the protein antigenic regions that have evoked humoral response. The purpose of this study was to further validate the computational analysis for melanoma-associated antigens and, at the same time, to assess the efficacy of the methodology in defining antigenic regions of autoantigens associated to autoimmune diseases. To achieve this two-fold objective, we have examined the enzyme tyrosinase, a protein that represents an important autoantigen in patients with vitiligo or melanoma. Here, we report that the antigenic linear determinant of the monoclonal antibody (Mab) T311 raised against the melanoma/vitiligo tyrosinase autoantigen is located in the low similarity 15-mer amino acid sequence tyrosinase 233-247 IPYWDWRDAEKCDIC, within the fragment 237-247. These data confirm non-similarity to the host proteome as a factor that participates in shaping peptide immune reactivity and may be a first step towards designing tyrosinase antigenic peptides to be used for (i) direct neutralization of harmful melanocytes-attacking autoantibodies in vitiligo, or (ii) production of antibodies against tyrosinase-positive melanomas. Moreover tyrosinase peptide antigens might be used as key tools in studying the boundaries between self-tolerance and autoimmunity phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörg Willers
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Klyushnenkova EN, Link J, Oberle WT, Kodak J, Rich C, Vandenbark AA, Alexander RB. Identification of HLA-DRB1*1501–Restricted T-cell Epitopes from Prostate-Specific Antigen. Clin Cancer Res 2005; 11:2853-61. [PMID: 15837732 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-04-1927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The development of immunotherapy for prostate cancer based on the induction of autoimmunity to prostate tissue is very attractive because prostate is not a vital organ beyond the reproductive years. CD4 T cells play an important role in the development of antitumor immune responses, yet the identification of naturally processed MHC Class II-restricted epitopes derived from prostate differentiation antigens has not been described. To facilitate the search for prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-derived MHC class II-restricted peptides, we immunized mice transgenic for HLA-DRB1*1501 with human PSA and showed a robust dose-dependent immune response to the antigen. Screening a library of overlapping 20-mer peptides that span the entire PSA sequence identified two 20-mer peptides, PSA(171-190) and PSA(221-240), which were responsible for this reactivity. Immunization of DR2b transgenic mice with these peptides induced specific responses to the peptide and whole PSA. Identified peptides were used to stimulate CD4 T cells from HLA-DRB1*1501+ patients with a rare condition, granulomatous prostatitis, and who seem to have a preexisting immune response directed against the prostate gland. We previously showed a linkage of granulomatous prostatitis to HLA-DRB1*1501, suggesting that this disease may have an autoimmune etiology. Peptide-specific CD4 T-cell lines were generated from the peripheral blood of these patients as well as one patient with prostate cancer. These lines also recognized whole, processed PSA in the context of HLA-DRB1*1501. This study will be instrumental in understanding the interaction between circulating self-reactive T cells, organ-specific autoimmunity, and antitumor immune response. The use of these peptides for the immunotherapy of prostate cancer is under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena N Klyushnenkova
- Urology Section, VA Maryland Health Care System, and Division of Urology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, USA.
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Lucchese A, Mittelman A, Lin MS, Kanduc D, Sinha AA. Epitope definition by proteomic similarity analysis: identification of the linear determinant of the anti-Dsg3 MAb 5H10. J Transl Med 2004; 2:43. [PMID: 15588331 PMCID: PMC544587 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-2-43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2004] [Accepted: 12/11/2004] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Walking along disease-associated protein sequences in the search for specific segments able to induce cellular immune response may direct clinical research towards effective peptide-based vaccines. To this aim, we are studying the targets of the immune response in autoimmune diseases by applying the principle of non-self-discrimination as a driving concept in the identification of the autoimmunogenic peptide sequences. METHODS: Computer-assisted proteomic analysis of the autoantigen protein sequence and dot-blot/NMR immunoassays are applied to the prediction and subsequent validation of the epitopic sequences. RESULTS: Using the experimental model Pemphigus vulgaris/desmoglein 3, we have identified the antigenic linear determinant recognized by MAb 5H10, a monoclonal antibody raised against the extracellular domain of human desmoglein-3. The computer-assisted search for the Dsg3 epitope was conducted by analyzing the similarity level to the mouse proteome of the human desmoglein protein sequence. Dot-blot immunoassay analyses mapped the epitope within the sequence Dsg349-60 REWVKFAKPCRE, which shows low similarity to the mouse proteome. NMR spectroscopy analyses confirmed the specificity of MAb 5H10 for the predicted epitope. CONCLUSIONS: This report promotes the concept that low level of sequence similarity to the host's proteome may modulate peptide epitopicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberta Lucchese
- Department of Odontostomatology and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bari, P.za G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Abraham Mittelman
- Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Mong-Shang Lin
- Department of Dermatology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226, USA
| | - Darja Kanduc
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Animesh A Sinha
- Department of Dermatology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA
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Mittelman A, Tiwari R, Lucchese G, Willers J, Dummer R, Kanduc D. Identification of Monoclonal Anti-HMW-MAA Antibody Linear Peptide Epitope by Proteomic Database Mining. J Invest Dermatol 2004; 123:670-5. [PMID: 15373771 DOI: 10.1111/j.0022-202x.2004.23417.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
An efficient strategy is presented for the identification of antigenic sequences in the context of given MHC molecules of interest. The proteomic analysis of the antigenic peptide repertoire is described and demonstrated by using high-molecular weight melanoma-associated antigen. The identification of the epitopic sequence of a monoclonal antibody raised against the 250 kDa tumor associated antigen was reached by using only seven short synthetic peptide fragments, instead of the 155 non-overlapping 15-mer peptides theoretically necessary as minimum screening library. The present result has been obtained by applying as driving criteria the analysis of the peptide affinity to MHC class II molecules and the non-self discrimination concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Mittelman
- Departments of Medicine/Oncology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
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