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Weitzen M, Shahbazy M, Kapoor S, Caron E. Deciphering the HLA-E immunopeptidome with mass spectrometry: an opportunity for universal mRNA vaccines and T-cell-directed immunotherapies. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1442783. [PMID: 39301027 PMCID: PMC11410602 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1442783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Advances in immunotherapy rely on targeting novel cell surface antigens, including therapeutically relevant peptide fragments presented by HLA molecules, collectively known as the actionable immunopeptidome. Although the immunopeptidome of classical HLA molecules is extensively studied, exploration of the peptide repertoire presented by non-classical HLA-E remains limited. Growing evidence suggests that HLA-E molecules present pathogen-derived and tumor-associated peptides to CD8+ T cells, positioning them as promising targets for universal immunotherapies due to their minimal polymorphism. This mini-review highlights recent developments in mass spectrometry (MS) technologies for profiling the HLA-E immunopeptidome in various diseases. We discuss the unique features of HLA-E, its expression patterns, stability, and the potential for identifying new therapeutic targets. Understanding the broad repertoire of actionable peptides presented by HLA-E can lead to innovative treatments for viral and pathogen infections and cancer, leveraging its monomorphic nature for broad therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Weitzen
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Mohammad Shahbazy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Infection and Immunity Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Saketh Kapoor
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Etienne Caron
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Yale Center for Immuno-Oncology, Yale Center for Systems and Engineering Immunology, Yale Center for Infection and Immunity, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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2
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MacLachlan BJ, Sullivan LC, Brooks AG, Rossjohn J, Vivian JP. Structure of the murine CD94-NKG2A receptor in complex with Qa-1 b presenting an MHC-I leader peptide. FEBS J 2024; 291:1530-1544. [PMID: 38158698 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The heterodimeric natural killer cells antigen CD94 (CD94)-NKG2-A/NKG2-B type II integral membrane protein (NKG2A) receptor family expressed on human and mouse natural killer (NK) cells monitors global major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I cell surface expression levels through binding to MHC class Ia-derived leader sequence peptides presented by HLA class I histocompatibility antigen, alpha chain E (HLA-E; in humans) or H-2 class I histocompatibility antigen, D-37 (Qa-1b; in mice). Although the molecular basis underpinning human CD94-NKG2A recognition of HLA-E is known, the equivalent interaction in the murine setting is not. By determining the high-resolution crystal structure of murine CD94-NKG2A in complex with Qa-1b presenting the Qa-1 determinant modifier peptide (QDM), we resolved the mode of binding. Compared to the human homologue, the murine CD94-NKG2A-Qa-1b-QDM displayed alterations in the distribution of interactions across CD94 and NKG2A subunits that coincide with differences in electrostatic complementarity of the ternary complex and the lack of cross-species reactivity. Nevertheless, we show that Qa-1b could be modified through W65R + N73I mutations to mimic HLA-E, facilitating binding with both human and murine CD94-NKG2A. These data underscore human and murine CD94-NKG2A cross-species heterogeneity and provide a foundation for humanising Qa-1b in immune system models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce J MacLachlan
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Lucy C Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Andrew G Brooks
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Jamie Rossjohn
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Julian P Vivian
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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3
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Brackenridge S, John N, Früh K, Borrow P, McMichael AJ. The antibodies 3D12 and 4D12 recognise distinct epitopes and conformations of HLA-E. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1329032. [PMID: 38571959 PMCID: PMC10987726 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1329032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The commonly used antibodies 3D12 and 4D12 recognise the human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E) protein. These antibodies bind distinct epitopes on HLA-E and differ in their ability to bind alleles of the major histocompatibility complex E (MHC-E) proteins of rhesus and cynomolgus macaques. We confirmed that neither antibody cross-reacts with classical HLA alleles, and used hybrids of different MHC-E alleles to map the regions that are critical for their binding. 3D12 recognises a region on the alpha 3 domain, with its specificity for HLA-E resulting from the amino acids present at three key positions (219, 223 and 224) that are unique to HLA-E, while 4D12 binds to the start of the alpha 2 domain, adjacent to the C terminus of the presented peptide. 3D12 staining is increased by incubation of cells at 27°C, and by addition of the canonical signal sequence peptide presented by HLA-E peptide (VL9, VMAPRTLVL). This suggests that 3D12 may bind peptide-free forms of HLA-E, which would be expected to accumulate at the cell surface when cells are incubated at lower temperatures, as well as HLA-E with peptide. Therefore, additional studies are required to determine exactly what forms of HLA-E can be recognised by 3D12. In contrast, while staining with 4D12 was also increased when cells were incubated at 27°C, it was decreased when the VL9 peptide was added. We conclude that 4D12 preferentially binds to peptide-free HLA-E, and, although not suitable for measuring the total cell surface levels of MHC-E, may putatively identify peptide-receptive forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Brackenridge
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nessy John
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Klaus Früh
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Persephone Borrow
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J. McMichael
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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4
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Wallace Z, Heunis T, Paterson RL, Suckling RJ, Grant T, Dembek M, Donoso J, Brener J, Long J, Bunjobpol W, Gibbs-Howe D, Kay DP, Leneghan DB, Godinho LF, Walker A, Singh PK, Knox A, Leonard S, Dorrell L. Instability of the HLA-E peptidome of HIV presents a major barrier to therapeutic targeting. Mol Ther 2024; 32:678-688. [PMID: 38219014 PMCID: PMC10928138 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Naturally occurring T cells that recognize microbial peptides via HLA-E, a nonpolymorphic HLA class Ib molecule, could provide the foundation for new universal immunotherapeutics. However, confidence in the biological relevance of putative ligands is crucial, given that the mechanisms by which pathogen-derived peptides can access the HLA-E presentation pathway are poorly understood. We systematically interrogated the HIV proteome using immunopeptidomic and bioinformatic approaches, coupled with biochemical and cellular assays. No HIV HLA-E peptides were identified by tandem mass spectrometry analysis of HIV-infected cells. In addition, all bioinformatically predicted HIV peptide ligands (>80) were characterized by poor complex stability. Furthermore, infected cell elimination assays using an affinity-enhanced T cell receptor bispecific targeted to a previously reported HIV Gag HLA-E epitope demonstrated inconsistent presentation of the peptide, despite normal HLA-E expression on HIV-infected cells. This work highlights the instability of the HIV HLA-E peptidome as a major challenge for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoë Wallace
- Immunocore Ltd., Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RY, UK.
| | - Tiaan Heunis
- Immunocore Ltd., Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RY, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Jose Donoso
- Immunocore Ltd., Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RY, UK
| | | | - Joshua Long
- Immunocore Ltd., Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RY, UK
| | | | | | - Daniel P Kay
- Immunocore Ltd., Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RY, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrew Knox
- Immunocore Ltd., Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RY, UK
| | | | - Lucy Dorrell
- Immunocore Ltd., Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4RY, UK
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Martín Almazán N, Sala BM, Sandalova T, Sun Y, Resink T, Cichocki F, Söderberg-Nauclér C, Miller JS, Achour A, Sarhan D. Non-classical HLA-E restricted CMV 15-mer peptides are recognized by adaptive NK cells and induce memory responses. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1230718. [PMID: 37809084 PMCID: PMC10552778 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1230718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) reactivation causes complications in immunocompromised patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), significantly increasing morbidity and mortality. Adaptive Natural Killer (aNK) cells undergo a persistent reconfiguration in response to HCMV reactivation; however, the exact role of aNK cell memory in HCMV surveillance remains elusive. Methods We employed mass spectrometry and computational prediction approaches to identify HLA-E-restricted HCMV peptides that can elucidate aNK cell responses. We also used the K562 cell line transfected with HLA-E0*0103 for specific peptide binding and blocking assays. Subsequently, NK cells were cocultured with dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with each of the identified peptides to examine aNK and conventional (c)NK cell responses. Results Here, we discovered three unconventional HLA-E-restricted 15-mer peptides (SEVENVSVNVHNPTG, TSGSDSDEELVTTER, and DSDEELVTTERKTPR) derived from the HCMV pp65-protein that elicit aNK cell memory responses restricted to HCMV. aNK cells displayed memory responses towards HMCV-infected cells and HCMV-seropositive individuals when primed by DCs loaded with each of these peptides and predicted 9-mer versions. Blocking the interaction between HLA-E and the activation NKG2C receptor but not the inhibitory NKG2A receptor abolished these specific recall responses. Interestingly, compared to the HLA-E complex with the leader peptide VMAPRTLIL, HLA-E complexes formed with each of the three identified peptides significantly changed the surface electrostatic potential to highly negative. Furthermore, these peptides do not comprise the classical HLA-E-restriction motifs. Discussion These findings suggest a differential binding to NKG2C compared to HLA-E complexes with classical leader peptides that may result in the specific activation of aNK cells. We then designed six nonameric peptides based on the three discovered peptides that could elicit aNK cell memory responses to HCMV necessary for therapeutic inventions. The results provide novel insights into HLA-E-mediated signaling networks that mediate aNK cell recall responses and maximize their reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nerea Martín Almazán
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Benedetta Maria Sala
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tatyana Sandalova
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yizhe Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tom Resink
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Frank Cichocki
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Cecilia Söderberg-Nauclér
- Department of Medicine, Microbial Pathogenesis Unit, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute of Biomedicine, Unit for Infection and immunology, MediCity Research Laboratory, InFLAMES Flagship, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Jeffrey S Miller
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Adnane Achour
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dhifaf Sarhan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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6
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He W, Gea-Mallorquí E, Colin-York H, Fritzsche M, Gillespie GM, Brackenridge S, Borrow P, McMichael AJ. Intracellular trafficking of HLA-E and its regulation. J Exp Med 2023; 220:214089. [PMID: 37140910 PMCID: PMC10165540 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20221941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Interest in MHC-E-restricted CD8+ T cell responses has been aroused by the discovery of their efficacy in controlling simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in a vaccine model. The development of vaccines and immunotherapies utilizing human MHC-E (HLA-E)-restricted CD8+ T cell response requires an understanding of the pathway(s) of HLA-E transport and antigen presentation, which have not been clearly defined previously. We show here that, unlike classical HLA class I, which rapidly exits the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) after synthesis, HLA-E is largely retained because of a limited supply of high-affinity peptides, with further fine-tuning by its cytoplasmic tail. Once at the cell surface, HLA-E is unstable and is rapidly internalized. The cytoplasmic tail plays a crucial role in facilitating HLA-E internalization, which results in its enrichment in late and recycling endosomes. Our data reveal distinctive transport patterns and delicate regulatory mechanisms of HLA-E, which help to explain its unusual immunological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanlin He
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Center for Immuno-Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ester Gea-Mallorquí
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Center for Immuno-Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Huw Colin-York
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford , Oxford, UK
| | - Marco Fritzsche
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford , Oxford, UK
| | - Geraldine M Gillespie
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Center for Immuno-Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Simon Brackenridge
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Center for Immuno-Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Persephone Borrow
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Center for Immuno-Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrew J McMichael
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Center for Immuno-Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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7
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Lin Z, Bashirova AA, Viard M, Garner L, Quastel M, Beiersdorfer M, Kasprzak WK, Akdag M, Yuki Y, Ojeda P, Das S, Andresson T, Naranbhai V, Horowitz A, McMichael AJ, Hoelzemer A, Gillespie GM, Garcia-Beltran WF, Carrington M. HLA class I signal peptide polymorphism determines the level of CD94/NKG2-HLA-E-mediated regulation of effector cell responses. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:1087-1097. [PMID: 37264229 PMCID: PMC10690437 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01523-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E binds epitopes derived from HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C and HLA-G signal peptides (SPs) and serves as a ligand for CD94/NKG2A and CD94/NKG2C receptors expressed on natural killer and T cell subsets. We show that among 16 common classical HLA class I SP variants, only 6 can be efficiently processed to generate epitopes that enable CD94/NKG2 engagement, which we term 'functional SPs'. The single functional HLA-B SP, known as HLA-B/-21M, induced high HLA-E expression, but conferred the lowest receptor recognition. Consequently, HLA-B/-21M SP competes with other SPs for providing epitope to HLA-E and reduces overall recognition of target cells by CD94/NKG2A, calling for reassessment of previous disease models involving HLA-B/-21M. Genetic population data indicate a positive correlation between frequencies of functional SPs in humans and corresponding cytomegalovirus mimics, suggesting a means for viral escape from host responses. The systematic, quantitative approach described herein will facilitate development of prediction algorithms for accurately measuring the impact of CD94/NKG2-HLA-E interactions in disease resistance/susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhansong Lin
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Arman A Bashirova
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mathias Viard
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lee Garner
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Max Quastel
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Maya Beiersdorfer
- Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
- 1st Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Wojciech K Kasprzak
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Advanced Biomedical Computational Science, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Marjan Akdag
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yuko Yuki
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Pedro Ojeda
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sudipto Das
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Thorkell Andresson
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Vivek Naranbhai
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, Durban, South Africa
| | - Amir Horowitz
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Precision Immunology Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Angelique Hoelzemer
- Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
- 1st Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Mary Carrington
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA.
- Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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8
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Yang H, Sun H, Brackenridge S, Zhuang X, Wing PAC, Quastel M, Walters L, Garner L, Wang B, Yao X, Felce SL, Peng Y, Moore S, Peeters BWA, Rei M, Canto Gomes J, Tomas A, Davidson A, Semple MG, Turtle LCW, Openshaw PJM, Baillie JK, Mentzer AJ, Klenerman P, Borrow P, Dong T, McKeating JA, Gillespie GM, McMichael AJ. HLA-E-restricted SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells from convalescent COVID-19 patients suppress virus replication despite HLA class Ia down-regulation. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eabl8881. [PMID: 37390223 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abl8881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Pathogen-specific CD8+ T cell responses restricted by the nonpolymorphic nonclassical class Ib molecule human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E) are rarely reported in viral infections. The natural HLA-E ligand is a signal peptide derived from classical class Ia HLA molecules that interact with the NKG2/CD94 receptors to regulate natural killer cell functions, but pathogen-derived peptides can also be presented by HLA-E. Here, we describe five peptides from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that elicited HLA-E-restricted CD8+ T cell responses in convalescent patients with coronavirus disease 2019. These T cell responses were identified in the blood at frequencies similar to those reported for classical HLA-Ia-restricted anti-SARS-CoV-2 CD8+ T cells. HLA-E peptide-specific CD8+ T cell clones, which expressed diverse T cell receptors, suppressed SARS-CoV-2 replication in Calu-3 human lung epithelial cells. SARS-CoV-2 infection markedly down-regulated classical HLA class I expression in Calu-3 cells and primary reconstituted human airway epithelial cells, whereas HLA-E expression was not affected, enabling T cell recognition. Thus, HLA-E-restricted T cells could contribute to the control of SARS-CoV-2 infection alongside classical T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbing Yang
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Hong Sun
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Simon Brackenridge
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Xiaodong Zhuang
- Nuffield Depertment of Clinical Medicine, NDM Research Building, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Peter A C Wing
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Depertment of Clinical Medicine, NDM Research Building, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Max Quastel
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Lucy Walters
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Lee Garner
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Beibei Wang
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Xuan Yao
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Suet Ling Felce
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Yanchun Peng
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Shona Moore
- Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Bas W A Peeters
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Margarida Rei
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Joao Canto Gomes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Tomas
- Unidada de Investigacao em Patobiologia Molecular, Instituto Portugues de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, EPE Lisbon, Portugal
- Chronic Diseases Research Centre, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andrew Davidson
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Malcolm G Semple
- Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Respiratory Unit, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Eaton Road, Liverpool L12 2AP, UK
| | - Lance C W Turtle
- Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Tropical and Infectious Disease Unit, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (member of Liverpool Health Partners), Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | - Alexander J Mentzer
- Welcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul Klenerman
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research and Translational Gastroenterology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Persephone Borrow
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Tao Dong
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jane A McKeating
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Depertment of Clinical Medicine, NDM Research Building, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Geraldine M Gillespie
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrew J McMichael
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
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9
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Picker LJ, Lifson JD, Gale M, Hansen SG, Früh K. Programming cytomegalovirus as an HIV vaccine. Trends Immunol 2023; 44:287-304. [PMID: 36894436 PMCID: PMC10089689 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
The initial development of cytomegalovirus (CMV) as a vaccine vector for HIV/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) was predicated on its potential to pre-position high-frequency, effector-differentiated, CD8+ T cells in tissues for immediate immune interception of nascent primary infection. This goal was achieved and also led to the unexpected discoveries that non-human primate (NHP) CMVs can be programmed to differentially elicit CD8+ T cell responses that recognize viral peptides via classical MHC-Ia, and/or MHC-II, and/or MHC-E, and that MHC-E-restricted CD8+ T cell responses can uniquely mediate stringent arrest and subsequent clearance of highly pathogenic SIV, an unprecedented type of vaccine-mediated protection. These discoveries delineate CMV vector-elicited MHC-E-restricted CD8+ T cells as a functionally distinct T cell response with the potential for superior efficacy against HIV-1, and possibly other infectious agents or cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis J Picker
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA.
| | - Jeffrey D Lifson
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Michael Gale
- Center for Innate Immunity and Immune Disease, Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Scott G Hansen
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Klaus Früh
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
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