Heterogeneity of RMA-S cell line: derivatives of RMA-S cells lacking H2-Kb and H2-Db expression

The nonpolymorphic MHC Qa-1b mediates CD8+ T cell surveillance of antigen-processing defects

The nonclassical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Qa-1^b accommodates monomorphic leader peptides and functions as a ligand for germ line receptors CD94/NKG2, which are expressed by natural killer cells and CD8⁺ T cells. We here describe that the conserved peptides are replaced by a novel peptide repertoire of surprising diversity as a result of impairments in the antigen-processing pathway. This novel peptide repertoire represents immunogenic neoantigens for CD8⁺ T cells, as we found that these Qa-1^b–restricted T cells dominantly participated in the response to tumors with processing deficiencies. A surprisingly wide spectrum of target cells, irrespective of transformation status, MHC background, or type of processing deficiency, was recognized by this T cell subset, complying with the conserved nature of Qa-1^b. Target cell recognition depended on T cell receptor and Qa-1^b interaction, and immunization with identified peptide epitopes demonstrated in vivo priming of CD8⁺ T cells. Our data reveal that Qa-1^b, and most likely its human homologue human leukocyte antigen-E, is important for the defense against processing-deficient cells by displacing the monomorphic leader peptides, which relieves the inhibition through CD94/NKG2A on lymphocytes, and by presenting a novel repertoire of immunogenic peptides, which recruits a subset of cytotoxic CD8⁺ T cells.

Vaccination with beta(2)-microglobulin-deficient dendritic cells protects against growth of beta(2)-microglobulin-deficient tumours

Defects in cell surface expression of major histocompatibility complex class I antigen molecules are common in tumour cells. We have previously described the generation of adaptive immunity to tumour cells deficient in the transporter associated with antigen processing molecule. In this study, we demonstrate enhanced in vivo protection against growth of beta(2)-microglobulin-deficient tumour cells in syngeneic C57Bl/6 mice, following vaccination with beta(2)-microglobulin-deficient dendritic cells. In vitro analysis suggested that vaccinated mice produced CD3+ cells, which could induce apoptosis in syngeneic beta(2)-microglobulin-deficient tumour and non-malignant cells. Further investigation of target cell recognition suggested that also tumour cells lacking expression of classical major histocompatibility complex class I heavy chains and functional transporter associated with antigen processing molecules were recognized by CD3+ effector cells from vaccinated mice. Histopathological examination of organs from vaccinated mice showed no significant vaccination-induced pathology. The present findings point to a new possible strategy to counteract the growth of major histocompatibility complex class I-deficient tumour cells.

Selective cytotoxic T-lymphocyte targeting of tumor immune escape variants

Defects in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted antigen presentation are frequently observed in human cancers and result in escape of tumors from cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) immune surveillance in mice. Here, we show the existence of a unique category of CTLs that can prevent this escape. The CTLs target an alternative repertoire of peptide epitopes that emerge in MHC class I at the surface of cells with impaired function of transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP), tapasin or the proteasome. These peptides, although derived from self antigens such as the commonly expressed Lass5 protein (also known as Trh4), are not presented by normal cells. This explains why they act as immunogenic neoantigens. The newly discovered epitopes can be exploited for immune intervention against processing-deficient tumors through adoptive T-cell transfer or peptide vaccination.

Exogenous peptides enter the endoplasmic reticulum of TAP-deficient cells and induce the maturation of nascent MHC class I molecules

MHC class I molecules assemble within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in complexes that include beta2-microglobulin (beta(2)m), the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP)and several additional chaperones. Release of class I complexes from the ER is thought to require the binding of an appropriate endogenous peptide, predominantly delivered from the cytosol to the ER by TAP. It was recently demonstrated that exogenous synthetic peptide could 'directly' enter the ER of intact cells, independently of TAP function, and bind to the class I molecule H-2K(b).In TAP-deficient cells, we show that nascent K(b) or K(b)-L(d) chimeric molecules have a high trafficking background; 50-80% of these class I molecules are released from the ER independently of TAP function or the addition of exogenous peptide. The addition of exogenous K(b) cognate peptides enhanced the release of these class I molecules only slightly over the high background. The chimeric class I-b molecule, M3-L(d), differs from K(b)-L(d) only in its peptide binding domains, and M3-L(d) preferentially binds N-formylated peptides, which are rare in eukaryotic cells. Release of M3-L(d) from the ER in the absence of exogenous peptide was negligible. Addition of exogenous formylated peptides induced significant trafficking and surface expression of M3-L(d). These observations suggest that peptide binding is necessary for class I release from the ER even in TAP-deficient cells. These results demonstrate that exogenous peptide not only enters the ER of intact cells independently of TAP but also functionally induces class I antigen presentation.