1
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Le HN, de Freitas MV, Antunes DA. Strengths and limitations of web servers for the modeling of TCRpMHC complexes. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:2938-2948. [PMID: 39104710 PMCID: PMC11298609 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunity relies on the ability of a T-cell receptor (TCR) to recognize a peptide (p) presented by a class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) receptor on the surface of a cell. The TCR-peptide-MHC (TCRpMHC) interaction is a crucial step in activating T-cells, and the structural characteristics of these molecules play a significant role in determining the specificity and affinity of this interaction. Hence, obtaining 3D structures of TCRpMHC complexes offers valuable insights into various aspects of cellular immunity and can facilitate the development of T-cell-based immunotherapies. Here, we aimed to compare three popular web servers for modeling the structures of TCRpMHC complexes, namely ImmuneScape (IS), TCRpMHCmodels, and TCRmodel2, to examine their strengths and limitations. Each method employs a different modeling strategy, including docking, homology modeling, and deep learning. The accuracy of each method was evaluated by reproducing the 3D structures of a dataset of 87 TCRpMHC complexes with experimentally determined crystal structures available on the Protein Data Bank (PDB). All selected structures were limited to human MHC alleles, presenting a diverse set of peptide ligands. A detailed analysis of produced models was conducted using multiple metrics, including Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD) and standardized assessments from CAPRI and DockQ. Special attention was given to the complementarity-determining region (CDR) loops of the TCRs and to the peptide ligands, which define most of the unique features and specificity of a given TCRpMHC interaction. Our study provides an optimistic view of the current state-of-the-art for TCRpMHC modeling but highlights some remaining challenges that must be addressed in order to support the future application of these tools for TCR engineering and computer-aided design of TCR-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoa Nhu Le
- University of Houston, Departments of Biology and Biochemistry, Houston, 77204, TX, USA
| | | | - Dinler Amaral Antunes
- University of Houston, Departments of Biology and Biochemistry, Houston, 77204, TX, USA
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2
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Raybould MIJ, Greenshields-Watson A, Agarwal P, Aguilar-Sanjuan B, Olsen TH, Turnbull OM, Quast NP, Deane CM. The Observed T Cell Receptor Space database enables paired-chain repertoire mining, coherence analysis, and language modeling. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114704. [PMID: 39216000 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114704] [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: 05/26/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
T cell activation is governed through T cell receptors (TCRs), heterodimers of two sequence-variable chains (often an α and β chain) that synergistically recognize antigen fragments presented on cell surfaces. Despite this, there only exist repositories dedicated to collecting single-chain, not paired-chain, TCR sequence data. We addressed this gap by creating the Observed TCR Space (OTS) database, a source of consistently processed and annotated, full-length, paired-chain TCR sequences. Currently, OTS contains 5.35 million redundant (1.63 million non-redundant), predominantly human sequences from across 50 studies and at least 75 individuals. Using OTS, we identify pairing biases, public TCRs, and distinct chain coherence patterns relative to antibodies. We also release a paired-chain TCR language model, providing paired embedding representations and a method for residue in-filling conditional on the partner chain. OTS will be updated as a central community resource and is freely downloadable and available as a web application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew I J Raybould
- Oxford Protein Informatics Group, Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, 24-29 St Giles', OX1 3LB Oxford, UK.
| | - Alexander Greenshields-Watson
- Oxford Protein Informatics Group, Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, 24-29 St Giles', OX1 3LB Oxford, UK
| | - Parth Agarwal
- Oxford Protein Informatics Group, Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, 24-29 St Giles', OX1 3LB Oxford, UK
| | - Broncio Aguilar-Sanjuan
- Oxford Protein Informatics Group, Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, 24-29 St Giles', OX1 3LB Oxford, UK
| | - Tobias H Olsen
- Oxford Protein Informatics Group, Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, 24-29 St Giles', OX1 3LB Oxford, UK
| | - Oliver M Turnbull
- Oxford Protein Informatics Group, Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, 24-29 St Giles', OX1 3LB Oxford, UK
| | - Nele P Quast
- Oxford Protein Informatics Group, Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, 24-29 St Giles', OX1 3LB Oxford, UK
| | - Charlotte M Deane
- Oxford Protein Informatics Group, Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, 24-29 St Giles', OX1 3LB Oxford, UK.
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3
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Mühlgrabner V, Peters T, Velasco Cárdenas RMH, Salzer B, Göhring J, Plach A, Höhrhan M, Perez ID, Goncalves VDR, Farfán JS, Lehner M, Stockinger H, Schamel WW, Schober K, Busch DH, Hudecek M, Dushek O, Minguet S, Platzer R, Huppa JB. TCR/CD3-based synthetic antigen receptors (TCC) convey superior antigen sensitivity combined with high fidelity of activation. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj4632. [PMID: 39231214 PMCID: PMC11373591 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj4632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Low antigen sensitivity and a gradual loss of effector functions limit the clinical applicability of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells and call for alternative antigen receptor designs for effective T cell-based cancer immunotherapy. Here, we applied advanced microscopy to demonstrate that TCR/CD3-based synthetic constructs (TCC) outperform second-generation CAR formats with regard to conveyed antigen sensitivities by up to a thousandfold. TCC-based antigen recognition occurred without adverse nonspecific signaling, which is typically observed in CAR-T cells, and did not depend-unlike sensitized peptide/MHC detection by conventional T cells-on CD4 or CD8 coreceptor engagement. TCC-endowed signaling properties may prove critical when targeting antigens in low abundance and aiming for a durable anticancer response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Mühlgrabner
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Timo Peters
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rubí M-H Velasco Cárdenas
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Biological Signaling Studies (BIOSS), University of Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Integrative Biological Signaling Studies (CIBSS), University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Salzer
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Janett Göhring
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Angelika Plach
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Höhrhan
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Iago Doel Perez
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Jesús Siller Farfán
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK
| | - Manfred Lehner
- St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Next Generation CAR T Cells, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hannes Stockinger
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang W Schamel
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Biological Signaling Studies (BIOSS), University of Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Integrative Biological Signaling Studies (CIBSS), University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kilian Schober
- Mikrobiologisches Institut-Klinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Hygiene, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dirk H Busch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Hudecek
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Omer Dushek
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK
| | - Susana Minguet
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Biological Signaling Studies (BIOSS), University of Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Integrative Biological Signaling Studies (CIBSS), University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - René Platzer
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes B Huppa
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Vienna, Austria
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4
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Schrangl L, Mühlgrabner V, Platzer R, Kellner F, Wieland J, Obst R, Toca-Herrera JL, Huppa JB, Schütz GJ, Göhring J. Advanced Quantification of Receptor-Ligand Interaction Lifetimes via Single-Molecule FRET Microscopy. Biomolecules 2024; 14:1001. [PMID: 39199389 PMCID: PMC11352576 DOI: 10.3390/biom14081001] [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: 06/28/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Receptor-ligand interactions at cell interfaces initiate signaling cascades essential for cellular communication and effector functions. Specifically, T cell receptor (TCR) interactions with pathogen-derived peptides presented by the major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) molecules on antigen-presenting cells are crucial for T cell activation. The binding duration, or dwell time, of TCR-pMHC interactions correlates with downstream signaling efficacy, with strong agonists exhibiting longer lifetimes compared to weak agonists. Traditional surface plasmon resonance (SPR) methods quantify 3D affinity but lack cellular context and fail to account for factors like membrane fluctuations. In the recent years, single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) has been applied to measure 2D binding kinetics of TCR-pMHC interactions in a cellular context. Here, we introduce a rigorous mathematical model based on survival analysis to determine exponentially distributed receptor-ligand interaction lifetimes, verified through simulated data. Additionally, we developed a comprehensive analysis pipeline to extract interaction lifetimes from raw microscopy images, demonstrating the model's accuracy and robustness across multiple TCR-pMHC pairs. Our new software suite automates data processing to enhance throughput and reduce bias. This methodology provides a refined tool for investigating T cell activation mechanisms, offering insights into immune response modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Schrangl
- Institute of Biophysics, Department of Bionanosciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria; (L.S.)
- Institute of Applied Physics, TU Wien, Wiedner Hauptstr. 8-10, 1040 Vienna, Austria
| | - Vanessa Mühlgrabner
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Lazarettgasse 19, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - René Platzer
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Lazarettgasse 19, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Kellner
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Lazarettgasse 19, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Josephine Wieland
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center, Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Reinhard Obst
- Institute for Immunology, Biomedical Center, Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - José L. Toca-Herrera
- Institute of Biophysics, Department of Bionanosciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria; (L.S.)
| | - Johannes B. Huppa
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Lazarettgasse 19, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerhard J. Schütz
- Institute of Applied Physics, TU Wien, Wiedner Hauptstr. 8-10, 1040 Vienna, Austria
| | - Janett Göhring
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Lazarettgasse 19, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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5
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Mog BJ, Marcou N, DiNapoli SR, Pearlman AH, Nichakawade TD, Hwang MS, Douglass J, Hsiue EHC, Glavaris S, Wright KM, Konig MF, Paul S, Wyhs N, Ge J, Miller MS, Azurmendi P, Watson E, Pardoll DM, Gabelli SB, Bettegowda C, Papadopoulos N, Kinzler KW, Vogelstein B, Zhou S. Preclinical studies show that Co-STARs combine the advantages of chimeric antigen and T cell receptors for the treatment of tumors with low antigen densities. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadg7123. [PMID: 38985855 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adg7123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Two types of engineered T cells have been successfully used to treat patients with cancer, one with an antigen recognition domain derived from antibodies [chimeric antigen receptors (CARs)] and the other derived from T cell receptors (TCRs). CARs use high-affinity antigen-binding domains and costimulatory domains to induce T cell activation but can only react against target cells with relatively high amounts of antigen. TCRs have a much lower affinity for their antigens but can react against target cells displaying only a few antigen molecules. Here, we describe a new type of receptor, called a Co-STAR (for costimulatory synthetic TCR and antigen receptor), that combines aspects of both CARs and TCRs. In Co-STARs, the antigen-recognizing components of TCRs are replaced by high-affinity antibody fragments, and costimulation is provided by two modules that drive NF-κB signaling (MyD88 and CD40). Using a TCR-mimic antibody fragment that targets a recurrent p53 neoantigen presented in a common human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele, we demonstrate that T cells equipped with Co-STARs can kill cancer cells bearing low densities of antigen better than T cells engineered with conventional CARs and patient-derived TCRs in vitro. In mouse models, we show that Co-STARs mediate more robust T cell expansion and more durable tumor regressions than TCRs similarly modified with MyD88 and CD40 costimulation. Our data suggest that Co-STARs may have utility for other peptide-HLA antigens in cancer and other targets where antigen density may limit the efficacy of engineered T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Mog
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Nikita Marcou
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Sarah R DiNapoli
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Alexander H Pearlman
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Tushar D Nichakawade
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Michael S Hwang
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jacqueline Douglass
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Emily Han-Chung Hsiue
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Stephanie Glavaris
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Katharine M Wright
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Maximilian F Konig
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Suman Paul
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Nicolas Wyhs
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jiaxin Ge
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Michelle S Miller
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - P Azurmendi
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Evangeline Watson
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Drew M Pardoll
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Sandra B Gabelli
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Chetan Bettegowda
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Nickolas Papadopoulos
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kenneth W Kinzler
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Bert Vogelstein
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Shibin Zhou
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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6
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Maso L, Rajak E, Bang I, Koide A, Hattori T, Neel BG, Koide S. Molecular basis for antibody recognition of multiple drug-peptide/MHC complexes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2319029121. [PMID: 38781214 PMCID: PMC11145297 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319029121] [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: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The HapImmuneTM platform exploits covalent inhibitors as haptens for creating major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-presented tumor-specific neoantigens by design, combining targeted therapies with immunotherapy for the treatment of drug-resistant cancers. A HapImmune antibody, R023, recognizes multiple sotorasib-conjugated KRAS(G12C) peptides presented by different human leukocyte antigens (HLAs). This high specificity to sotorasib, coupled with broad HLA-binding capability, enables such antibodies, when reformatted as T cell engagers, to potently and selectively kill sotorasib-resistant KRAS(G12C) cancer cells expressing different HLAs upon sotorasib treatment. The loosening of HLA restriction could increase the patient population that can benefit from this therapeutic approach. To understand the molecular basis for its unconventional binding capability, we used single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy to determine the structures of R023 bound to multiple sotorasib-peptide conjugates presented by different HLAs. R023 forms a pocket for sotorasib between the VH and VL domains, binds HLAs in an unconventional, angled way, with VL making most contacts with them, and makes few contacts with the peptide moieties. This binding mode enables the antibody to accommodate different hapten-peptide conjugates and to adjust its conformation to different HLAs presenting hapten-peptides. Deep mutational scanning validated the structures and revealed distinct levels of mutation tolerance by sotorasib- and HLA-binding residues. Together, our structural information and sequence landscape analysis reveal key features for achieving MHC-restricted recognition of multiple hapten-peptide antigens, which will inform the development of next-generation therapeutic antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Maso
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY10016
| | - Epsa Rajak
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY10016
| | - Injin Bang
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY10016
| | - Akiko Koide
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY10016
- Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY10016
| | - Takamitsu Hattori
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY10016
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY10016
| | - Benjamin G. Neel
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY10016
- Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY10016
| | - Shohei Koide
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY10016
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY10016
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7
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Kristensen NP, Dionisio E, Bentzen AK, Tamhane T, Kemming JS, Nos G, Voss LF, Hansen UK, Lauer GM, Hadrup SR. Simultaneous analysis of pMHC binding and reactivity unveils virus-specific CD8 T cell immunity to a concise epitope set. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadm8951. [PMID: 38608022 PMCID: PMC11014448 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm8951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
CD8 T cells provide immunity to virus infection through recognition of epitopes presented by peptide major histocompatibility complexes (pMHCs). To establish a concise panel of widely recognized T cell epitopes from common viruses, we combined analysis of TCR down-regulation upon stimulation with epitope-specific enumeration based on barcode-labeled pMHC multimers. We assess CD8 T cell binding and reactivity for 929 previously reported epitopes in the context of 1 of 25 HLA alleles representing 29 viruses. The prevalence and magnitude of CD8 T cell responses were evaluated in 48 donors and reported along with 137 frequently recognized virus epitopes, many of which were underrepresented in the public domain. Eighty-four percent of epitope-specific CD8 T cell populations demonstrated reactivity to peptide stimulation, which was associated with effector and long-term memory phenotypes. Conversely, nonreactive T cell populations were associated primarily with naive phenotypes. Our analysis provides a reference map of epitopes for characterizing CD8 T cell responses toward common human virus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaj Pagh Kristensen
- Section for Experimental and Translational Immunology, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Edoardo Dionisio
- Section for Experimental and Translational Immunology, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Amalie Kai Bentzen
- Section for Experimental and Translational Immunology, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Tripti Tamhane
- Section for Experimental and Translational Immunology, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Janine Sophie Kemming
- Section for Experimental and Translational Immunology, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Grigorii Nos
- Section for Experimental and Translational Immunology, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Lasse Frank Voss
- Section for Experimental and Translational Immunology, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ulla Kring Hansen
- Section for Experimental and Translational Immunology, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Georg Michael Lauer
- Liver Center and Gastrointestinal Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Sine Reker Hadrup
- Section for Experimental and Translational Immunology, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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8
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Mallis RJ, Lee JJ, den Berg AV, Brazin KN, Viennet T, Zmuda J, Cross M, Radeva D, Rodriguez‐Mias R, Villén J, Gelev V, Reinherz EL, Arthanari H. Efficient and economic protein labeling for NMR in mammalian expression systems: Application to a preT-cell and T-cell receptor protein. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4950. [PMID: 38511503 PMCID: PMC10955624 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4950] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Protein nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy relies on the ability to isotopically label polypeptides, which is achieved through heterologous expression in various host organisms. Most commonly, Escherichia coli is employed by leveraging isotopically substituted ammonium and glucose to uniformly label proteins with 15N and 13C, respectively. Moreover, E. coli can grow and express proteins in uniformly deuterium-substituted water (D2O), a strategy useful for experiments targeting high molecular weight proteins. Unfortunately, many proteins, particularly those requiring specific posttranslational modifications like disulfide bonding or glycosylation for proper folding and/or function, cannot be readily expressed in their functional forms using E. coli-based expression systems. One such class of proteins includes T-cell receptors and their related preT-cell receptors. In this study, we present an expression system for isotopic labeling of proteins using a nonadherent human embryonic kidney cell line, Expi293F, and a specially designed media. We demonstrate the application of this platform to the β subunit common to both receptors. In addition, we show that this expression system and media can be used to specifically label amino acids Phe, Ile, Val, and Leu in this system, utilizing an amino acid-specific labeling protocol that allows targeted incorporation at high efficiency without significant isotopic scrambling. We demonstrate that this system can also be used to express proteins with fluorinated amino acids. We were routinely able to obtain an NMR sample with a concentration of 200 μM from 30 mL of culture media, utilizing less than 20 mg of the labeled amino acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Mallis
- Laboratory of ImmunobiologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Medical OncologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of DermatologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jonathan J. Lee
- Laboratory of ImmunobiologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Medical OncologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | | | - Kristine N. Brazin
- Laboratory of ImmunobiologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Medical OncologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of MedicineHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Thibault Viennet
- Department of Cancer BiologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular PharmacologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | | | | | - Denitsa Radeva
- Faculty of Chemistry and PharmacySofia UniversitySofiaBulgaria
| | | | - Judit Villén
- Department of Genome SciencesUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Vladimir Gelev
- Faculty of Chemistry and PharmacySofia UniversitySofiaBulgaria
| | - Ellis L. Reinherz
- Laboratory of ImmunobiologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Medical OncologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of MedicineHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Haribabu Arthanari
- Department of Cancer BiologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular PharmacologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
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9
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Mariuzza RA, Wu D, Pierce BG. Structural basis for T cell recognition of cancer neoantigens and implications for predicting neoepitope immunogenicity. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1303304. [PMID: 38045695 PMCID: PMC10693334 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1303304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) with tumor-specific T cells has been shown to mediate durable cancer regression. Tumor-specific T cells are also the basis of other therapies, notably cancer vaccines. The main target of tumor-specific T cells are neoantigens resulting from mutations in self-antigens over the course of malignant transformation. The detection of neoantigens presents a major challenge to T cells because of their high structural similarity to self-antigens, and the need to avoid autoimmunity. How different a neoantigen must be from its wild-type parent for it to induce a T cell response is poorly understood. Here we review recent structural and biophysical studies of T cell receptor (TCR) recognition of shared cancer neoantigens derived from oncogenes, including p53R175H, KRASG12D, KRASG12V, HHATp8F, and PIK3CAH1047L. These studies have revealed that, in some cases, the oncogenic mutation improves antigen presentation by strengthening peptide-MHC binding. In other cases, the mutation is detected by direct interactions with TCR, or by energetically driven or other indirect strategies not requiring direct TCR contacts with the mutation. We also review antibodies designed to recognize peptide-MHC on cell surfaces (TCR-mimic antibodies) as an alternative to TCRs for targeting cancer neoantigens. Finally, we review recent computational advances in this area, including efforts to predict neoepitope immunogenicity and how these efforts may be advanced by structural information on peptide-MHC binding and peptide-MHC recognition by TCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy A. Mariuzza
- W.M. Keck Laboratory for Structural Biology, University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Daichao Wu
- Laboratory of Structural Immunology, Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Brian G. Pierce
- W.M. Keck Laboratory for Structural Biology, University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
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10
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Boughter CT, Meier-Schellersheim M. Conserved biophysical compatibility among the highly variable germline-encoded regions shapes TCR-MHC interactions. eLife 2023; 12:e90681. [PMID: 37861280 PMCID: PMC10631762 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90681] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells are critically important components of the adaptive immune system primarily responsible for identifying and responding to pathogenic challenges. This recognition of pathogens is driven by the interaction between membrane-bound T cell receptors (TCRs) and antigenic peptides presented on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. The formation of the TCR-peptide-MHC complex (TCR-pMHC) involves interactions among germline-encoded and hypervariable amino acids. Germline-encoded and hypervariable regions can form contacts critical for complex formation, but only interactions between germline-encoded contacts are likely to be shared across many of all the possible productive TCR-pMHC complexes. Despite this, experimental investigation of these interactions have focused on only a small fraction of the possible interaction space. To address this, we analyzed every possible germline-encoded TCR-MHC contact in humans, thereby generating the first comprehensive characterization of these largely antigen-independent interactions. Our computational analysis suggests that germline-encoded TCR-MHC interactions that are conserved at the sequence level are rare due to the high amino acid diversity of the TCR CDR1 and CDR2 loops, and that such conservation is unlikely to dominate the dynamic protein-protein binding interface. Instead, we propose that binding properties such as the docking orientation are defined by regions of biophysical compatibility between these loops and the MHC surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T Boughter
- Computational Biology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Martin Meier-Schellersheim
- Computational Biology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaUnited States
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11
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Kalinina AA, Khromykh LM, Kazansky DB. T Cell Receptor Chain Centricity: The Phenomenon and Potential Applications in Cancer Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15211. [PMID: 37894892 PMCID: PMC10607890 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015211] [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: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells are crucial players in adaptive anti-cancer immunity. The gene modification of T cells with tumor antigen-specific T cell receptors (TCRs) was a milestone in personalized cancer immunotherapy. TCR is a heterodimer (either α/β or γ/δ) able to recognize a peptide antigen in a complex with self-MHC molecules. Although traditional concepts assume that an α- and β-chain contribute equally to antigen recognition, mounting data reveal that certain receptors possess chain centricity, i.e., one hemi-chain TCR dominates antigen recognition and dictates its specificity. Chain-centric TCRs are currently poorly understood in terms of their origin and the functional T cell subsets that express them. In addition, the ratio of α- and β-chain-centric TCRs, as well as the exact proportion of chain-centric TCRs in the native repertoire, is generally still unknown today. In this review, we provide a retrospective analysis of studies that evidence chain-centric TCRs, propose patterns of their generation, and discuss the potential applications of such receptors in T cell gene modification for adoptive cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dmitry B. Kazansky
- N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 115478 Moscow, Russia
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12
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Boughter CT, Meier-Schellersheim M. An integrated approach to the characterization of immune repertoires using AIMS: An Automated Immune Molecule Separator. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1011577. [PMID: 37862356 PMCID: PMC10619816 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The adaptive immune system employs an array of receptors designed to respond with high specificity to pathogens or molecular aberrations faced by the host organism. Binding of these receptors to molecular fragments-collectively referred to as antigens-initiates immune responses. These antigenic targets are recognized in their native state on the surfaces of pathogens by antibodies, whereas T cell receptors (TCR) recognize processed antigens as short peptides, presented on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Recent research has led to a wealth of immune repertoire data that are key to interrogating the nature of these molecular interactions. However, existing tools for the analysis of these large datasets typically focus on molecular sets of a single type, forcing researchers to separately analyze strongly coupled sequences of interacting molecules. Here, we introduce a software package for the integrated analysis of immune repertoire data, capable of identifying distinct biophysical differences in isolated TCR, MHC, peptide, antibody, and antigen sequence data. This integrated analytical approach allows for direct comparisons across immune repertoire subsets and provides a starting point for the identification of key interaction hotspots in complementary receptor-antigen pairs. The software (AIMS-Automated Immune Molecule Separator) is freely available as an open access package in GUI or command-line form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T. Boughter
- Computational Biology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Martin Meier-Schellersheim
- Computational Biology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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13
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Faust MA, Rasé VJ, Lamb TJ, Evavold BD. What's the Catch? The Significance of Catch Bonds in T Cell Activation. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:333-342. [PMID: 37459191 PMCID: PMC10732538 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
One of the main goals in T cell biology has been to investigate how TCR recognition of peptide:MHC (pMHC) determines T cell phenotype and fate. Ag recognition is required to facilitate survival, expansion, and effector function of T cells. Historically, TCR affinity for pMHC has been used as a predictor for T cell fate and responsiveness, but there have now been several examples of nonfunctional high-affinity clones and low-affinity highly functional clones. Recently, more attention has been paid to the TCR being a mechanoreceptor where the key biophysical determinant is TCR bond lifetime under force. As outlined in this review, the fundamental parameters between the TCR and pMHC that control Ag recognition and T cell triggering are affinity, bond lifetime, and the amount of force at which the peak lifetime occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Faust
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Viva J Rasé
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Tracey J Lamb
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Brian D Evavold
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
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14
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Afroz S, Bartolo L, Su LF. Pre-existing T Cell Memory to Novel Pathogens. Immunohorizons 2023; 7:543-553. [PMID: 37436166 PMCID: PMC10587503 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2200003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunological experiences lead to the development of specific T and B cell memory, which readies the host for a later pathogen rechallenge. Currently, immunological memory is best understood as a linear process whereby memory responses are generated by and directed against the same pathogen. However, numerous studies have identified memory cells that target pathogens in unexposed individuals. How "pre-existing memory" forms and impacts the outcome of infection remains unclear. In this review, we discuss differences in the composition of baseline T cell repertoire in mice and humans, factors that influence pre-existing immune states, and recent literature on their functional significance. We summarize current knowledge on the roles of pre-existing T cells in homeostasis and perturbation and their impacts on health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumbul Afroz
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Laurent Bartolo
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Laura F. Su
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
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15
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Choi HK, Cong P, Ge C, Natarajan A, Liu B, Zhang Y, Li K, Rushdi MN, Chen W, Lou J, Krogsgaard M, Zhu C. Catch bond models may explain how force amplifies TCR signaling and antigen discrimination. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2616. [PMID: 37147290 PMCID: PMC10163261 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38267-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The TCR integrates forces in its triggering process upon interaction with pMHC. Force elicits TCR catch-slip bonds with strong pMHCs but slip-only bonds with weak pMHCs. We develop two models and apply them to analyze 55 datasets, demonstrating the models' ability to quantitatively integrate and classify a broad range of bond behaviors and biological activities. Comparing to a generic two-state model, our models can distinguish class I from class II MHCs and correlate their structural parameters with the TCR/pMHC's potency to trigger T cell activation. The models are tested by mutagenesis using an MHC and a TCR mutated to alter conformation changes. The extensive comparisons between theory and experiment provide model validation and testable hypothesis regarding specific conformational changes that control bond profiles, thereby suggesting structural mechanisms for the inner workings of the TCR mechanosensing machinery and plausible explanations of why and how force may amplify TCR signaling and antigen discrimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Kyu Choi
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Peiwen Cong
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Chenghao Ge
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Amgen Inc., One Amgen Center Dr., Thousand Oaks, CA, 91320, USA
| | - Aswin Natarajan
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Baoyu Liu
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Yong Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Kaitao Li
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Muaz Nik Rushdi
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Medtronic CO., Minneapolis, MN, 55432, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jizhong Lou
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Michelle Krogsgaard
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Cheng Zhu
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
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16
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Xu AM, Chour W, DeLucia DC, Su Y, Pavlovitch-Bedzyk AJ, Ng R, Rasheed Y, Davis MM, Lee JK, Heath JR. Entropic analysis of antigen-specific CDR3 domains identifies essential binding motifs shared by CDR3s with different antigen specificities. Cell Syst 2023; 14:273-284.e5. [PMID: 37001518 PMCID: PMC10355346 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Antigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR) sequences can have prognostic, predictive, and therapeutic value, but decoding the specificity of TCR recognition remains challenging. Unlike DNA strands that base pair, TCRs bind to their targets with different orientations and different lengths, which complicates comparisons. We present scanning parametrized by normalized TCR length (SPAN-TCR) to analyze antigen-specific TCR CDR3 sequences and identify patterns driving TCR-pMHC specificity. Using entropic analysis, SPAN-TCR identifies 2-mer motifs that decrease the diversity (entropy) of CDR3s. These motifs are the most common patterns that can predict CDR3 composition, and we identify "essential" motifs that decrease entropy in the same CDR3 α or β chain containing the 2-mer, and "super-essential" motifs that decrease entropy in both chains. Molecular dynamics analysis further suggests that these motifs may play important roles in binding. We then employ SPAN-TCR to resolve similarities in TCR repertoires against different antigens using public databases of TCR sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Xu
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
| | - William Chour
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 91125, USA
| | - Diana C DeLucia
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Yapeng Su
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | | | - Rachel Ng
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Yusuf Rasheed
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Mark M Davis
- Computational and Systems Immunology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - John K Lee
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - James R Heath
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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17
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Ishina IA, Zakharova MY, Kurbatskaia IN, Mamedov AE, Belogurov AA, Gabibov AG. MHC Class II Presentation in Autoimmunity. Cells 2023; 12:314. [PMID: 36672249 PMCID: PMC9856717 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Antigen presentation by major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) molecules is crucial for eliciting an efficient immune response by CD4+ T cells and maintaining self-antigen tolerance. Some MHC-II alleles are known to be positively or negatively associated with the risk of the development of different autoimmune diseases (ADs), including those characterized by the emergence of autoreactive T cells. Apparently, the MHC-II presentation of self-antigens contributes to the autoimmune T cell response, initiated through a breakdown of central tolerance to self-antigens in the thymus. The appearance of autoreactive T cell might be the result of (i) the unusual interaction between T cell receptors (TCRs) and self-antigens presented on MHC-II; (ii) the posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of self-antigens; (iii) direct loading of the self-antigen to classical MHC-II without additional nonclassical MHC assistance; (iv) the proinflammatory environment effect on MHC-II expression and antigen presentation; and (v) molecular mimicry between foreign and self-antigens. The peculiarities of the processes involved in the MHC-II-mediated presentation may have crucial importance in the elucidation of the mechanisms of triggering and developing ADs as well as for clarification on the protective effect of MHC-II alleles that are negatively associated with ADs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina A. Ishina
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria Y. Zakharova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Inna N. Kurbatskaia
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Azad E. Mamedov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey A. Belogurov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, 127473 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander G. Gabibov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Life Sciences, Higher School of Economics, 101000 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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18
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Raybould MIJ, Nissley DA, Kumar S, Deane CM. Computationally profiling peptide:MHC recognition by T-cell receptors and T-cell receptor-mimetic antibodies. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1080596. [PMID: 36700202 PMCID: PMC9868621 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1080596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell receptor-mimetic antibodies (TCRms) targeting disease-associated peptides presented by Major Histocompatibility Complexes (pMHCs) are set to become a major new drug modality. However, we lack a general understanding of how TCRms engage pMHC targets, which is crucial for predicting their specificity and safety. Several new structures of TCRm:pMHC complexes have become available in the past year, providing sufficient initial data for a holistic analysis of TCRms as a class of pMHC binding agents. Here, we profile the complete set of TCRm:pMHC complexes against representative TCR:pMHC complexes to quantify the TCR-likeness of their pMHC engagement. We find that intrinsic molecular differences between antibodies and TCRs lead to fundamentally different roles for their heavy/light chains and Complementarity-Determining Region loops during antigen recognition. The idiotypic properties of antibodies may increase the likelihood of TCRms engaging pMHCs with less peptide selectivity than TCRs. However, the pMHC recognition features of some TCRms, including the two TCRms currently in clinical trials, can be remarkably TCR-like. The insights gained from this study will aid in the rational design and optimisation of next-generation TCRms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew I. J. Raybould
- Oxford Protein Informatics Group, Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel A. Nissley
- Oxford Protein Informatics Group, Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sandeep Kumar
- Biotherapeutics Discovery, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ridgefield, CT, United States
| | - Charlotte M. Deane
- Oxford Protein Informatics Group, Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Charlotte M. Deane,
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Prinz JC. Immunogenic self-peptides - the great unknowns in autoimmunity: Identifying T-cell epitopes driving the autoimmune response in autoimmune diseases. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1097871. [PMID: 36700227 PMCID: PMC9868241 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1097871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
HLA-associated autoimmune diseases likely arise from T-cell-mediated autoimmune responses against certain self-peptides from the broad HLA-presented immunopeptidomes. The limited knowledge of the autoimmune target peptides has so far compromised the basic understanding of autoimmune pathogenesis. This is due to the complexity of antigen processing and presentation as well as the polyspecificity of T-cell receptors (TCRs), which pose high methodological challenges on the discovery of immunogenic self-peptides. HLA-class I molecules present peptides to CD8+ T cells primarily derived from cytoplasmic proteins. Therefore, HLA-class I-restricted autoimmune responses should be directed against target cells expressing the corresponding parental protein. In HLA-class II-associated diseases, the origin of immunogenic peptides is not pre-specified, because peptides presented by HLA-class II molecules to CD4+ T cells may originate from both extracellular and cellular self-proteins. The different origins of HLA-class I and class II presented peptides determine the respective strategy for the discovery of immunogenic self-peptides in approaches based on the TCRs isolated from clonally expanded pathogenic T cells. Both involve identifying the respective restricting HLA allele as well as determining the recognition motif of the TCR under investigation by peptide library screening, which is required to search for homologous immunogenic self-peptides. In HLA-class I-associated autoimmune diseases, identification of the target cells allows for defining the restricting HLA allotype from the 6 different HLA-class I alleles of the individual HLA haplotype. It furthermore limits the search for immunogenic self-peptides to the transcriptome or immunopeptidome of the target cells, although neoepitopes generated by peptide splicing or translational errors may complicate identification. In HLA class II-associated autoimmune diseases, the lack of a defined target cell and differential antigen processing in different antigen-presenting cells complicate identification of the HLA restriction of autoreactive TCRs from CD4+ T cells. To avoid that all corresponding HLA-class II allotypes have to be included in the peptide discovery, autoantigens defined by autoantibodies can guide the search for immunogenic self-peptides presented by the respective HLA-class II risk allele. The objective of this article is to highlight important aspects to be considered in the discovery of immunogenic self-peptides in autoimmune diseases.
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20
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Gerber HP, Presta LG. TCR mimic compounds for pHLA targeting with high potency modalities in oncology. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1027548. [PMID: 36338746 PMCID: PMC9635445 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1027548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
pHLA complexes represent the largest class of cell surface markers on cancer cells, making them attractive for targeted cancer therapies. Adoptive cell therapies expressing TCRs that recognize tumor specific pHLAs take advantage of the unique selectivity and avidity of TCR: pHLA interactions. More recently, additional protein binding domains binding to pHLAs, known as TCR mimics (TCRm), were developed for tumor targeting of high potency therapeutic modalities, including bispecifics, ADCs, CAR T and -NK cells. TCRm compounds take advantage of the exquisite tumor specificity of certain pHLA targets, including cell lineage commitment markers and cancer testis antigens (CTAs). To achieve meaningful anti-tumor responses, it is critical that TCRm compounds integrate both, high target binding affinities and a high degree of target specificity. In this review, we describe the most advanced approaches to achieve both criteria, including affinity- and specificity engineering of TCRs, antibodies and alternative protein scaffolds. We also discuss the status of current TCRm based therapeutics developed in the clinic, key challenges, and emerging trends to improve treatment options for cancer patients treated with TCRm based therapeutics in Oncology.
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21
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Patarroyo ME, Bermudez A, Alba MP, Patarroyo MA, Suarez C, Aza-Conde J, Moreno-Vranich A, Vanegas M. Stereo electronic principles for selecting fully-protective, chemically-synthesised malaria vaccines. Front Immunol 2022; 13:926680. [DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.926680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Major histocompatibility class II molecule-peptide-T-cell receptor (MHCII-p-TCR) complex-mediated antigen presentation for a minimal subunit-based, multi-epitope, multistage, chemically-synthesised antimalarial vaccine is essential for inducing an appropriate immune response. Deep understanding of this MHCII-p-TCR complex’s stereo-electronic characteristics is fundamental for vaccine development. This review encapsulates the main principles for achieving such epitopes’ perfect fit into MHC-II human (HLADRβ̞1*) or Aotus (Aona DR) molecules. The enormous relevance of several amino acids’ physico-chemical characteristics is analysed in-depth, as is data regarding a 26.5 ± 2.5Å distance between the farthest atoms fitting into HLA-DRβ1* structures’ Pockets 1 to 9, the role of polyproline II-like (PPIIL) structures having their O and N backbone atoms orientated for establishing H-bonds with specific HLA-DRβ1*-peptide binding region (PBR) residues. The importance of residues having specific charge and orientation towards the TCR for inducing appropriate immune activation, amino acids’ role and that of structures interfering with PPIIL formation and other principles are demonstrated which have to be taken into account when designing immune, protection-inducing peptide structures (IMPIPS) against diseases scourging humankind, malaria being one of them.
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22
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T. RR, Smith JC. Structural patterns in class 1 major histocompatibility complex‐restricted nonamer peptide binding to T‐cell receptors. Proteins 2022; 90:1645-1654. [DOI: 10.1002/prot.26343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rajitha Rajeshwar T.
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology University of Tennessee Knoxville Tennessee USA
- UT/ORNL Center for Molecular Biophysics Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge Tennessee USA
| | - Jeremy C. Smith
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology University of Tennessee Knoxville Tennessee USA
- UT/ORNL Center for Molecular Biophysics Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge Tennessee USA
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23
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Li W, Zhang Y, Li R, Wang Y, Chen L, Dai S. A Novel Tolerogenic Antibody Targeting Disulfide-Modified Autoantigen Effectively Prevents Type 1 Diabetes in NOD Mice. Front Immunol 2022; 13:877022. [PMID: 36032077 PMCID: PMC9406144 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.877022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggested that the islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is an essential autoantigen in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in humans and non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. A unique disulfide containing IAPP-derived peptide KS20 is one of the highly diabetogenic peptides in NOD mice. The KS20-reactive T cells, including prototypic pathogenic BDC5.2.9, accumulate in the pancreas of prediabetic and diabetic mice and contribute to disease development. We generated a monoclonal antibody (LD96.24) that interacts with IAg7-KS20 complexes with high affinity and specificity. LD96.24 recognized the IAg7-KS20 disulfide loop and blocked the interaction between IAg7-KS20 tetramers and cognate T cells but not other autoantigen-reactive T cells. The in vivo LD96.24 studies, at either early or late stages, drastically induced tolerance and delayed the onset of T1D disease in NOD mice by reducing the infiltration of not only IAPP-specific T cells but also chromogranin A and insulin-specific T cells in the pancreas, together with B cells and dendritic cells. LD96.24 can also significantly increase the ratio of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells with Interferon-gamma-secreting effector T cells. Our data suggested the important role of disulfide-modified peptides in the development of T1D. Targeting the complexes of Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)/disulfide modified antigens would influence the thiol redox balance and could be a novel immunotherapy for T1D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Immune-Related Diseases, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Ronghui Li
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Immune-Related Diseases, Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Lan Chen
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Shaodong Dai
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
- *Correspondence: Shaodong Dai,
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24
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Wang Y, Tsitsiklis A, Devoe S, Gao W, Chu HH, Zhang Y, Li W, Wong WK, Deane CM, Neau D, Slansky JE, Thomas PG, Robey EA, Dai S. Peptide Centric Vβ Specific Germline Contacts Shape a Specialist T Cell Response. Front Immunol 2022; 13:847092. [PMID: 35967379 PMCID: PMC9372435 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.847092] [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] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Certain CD8 T cell responses are particularly effective at controlling infection, as exemplified by elite control of HIV in individuals harboring HLA-B57. To understand the structural features that contribute to CD8 T cell elite control, we focused on a strongly protective CD8 T cell response directed against a parasite-derived peptide (HF10) presented by an atypical MHC-I molecule, H-2Ld. This response exhibits a focused TCR repertoire dominated by Vβ2, and a representative TCR (TG6) in complex with Ld-HF10 reveals an unusual structure in which both MHC and TCR contribute extensively to peptide specificity, along with a parallel footprint of TCR on its pMHC ligand. The parallel footprint is a common feature of Vβ2-containing TCRs and correlates with an unusual Vα-Vβ interface, CDR loop conformations, and Vβ2-specific germline contacts with peptides. Vβ2 and Ld may represent "specialist" components for antigen recognition that allows for particularly strong and focused T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado School of Pharmacy, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Alexandra Tsitsiklis
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Stephanie Devoe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado School of Pharmacy, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Wei Gao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado School of Pharmacy, Aurora, CO, United States
- Biological Physics Laboratory, College of Science, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - H. Hamlet Chu
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado School of Pharmacy, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado School of Pharmacy, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Wing Ki Wong
- Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - David Neau
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern Collaborative Access Team (NE-CAT), Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Cornell University, Argonne, IL, United States
| | - Jill E. Slansky
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Paul G. Thomas
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Ellen A. Robey
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Shaodong Dai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado School of Pharmacy, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States
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25
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Li Y, Jiang W, Mellins ED. TCR-like antibodies targeting autoantigen-mhc complexes: a mini-review. Front Immunol 2022; 13:968432. [PMID: 35967436 PMCID: PMC9363607 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.968432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell receptors (TCRs) recognize peptide antigens bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules (p/MHC) that are expressed on cell surfaces; while B cell-derived antibodies (Abs) recognize soluble or cell surface native antigens of various types (proteins, carbohydrates, etc.). Immune surveillance by T and B cells thus inspects almost all formats of antigens to mount adaptive immune responses against cancer cells, infectious organisms and other foreign insults, while maintaining tolerance to self-tissues. With contributions from environmental triggers, the development of autoimmune disease is thought to be due to the expression of MHC risk alleles by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) presenting self-antigen (autoantigen), breaking through self-tolerance and activating autoreactive T cells, which orchestrate downstream pathologic events. Investigating and treating autoimmune diseases have been challenging, both because of the intrinsic complexity of these diseases and the need for tools targeting T cell epitopes (autoantigen-MHC). Naturally occurring TCRs with relatively low (micromolar) affinities to p/MHC are suboptimal for autoantigen-MHC targeting, whereas the use of engineered TCRs and their derivatives (e.g., TCR multimers and TCR-engineered T cells) are limited by unpredictable cross-reactivity. As Abs generally have nanomolar affinity, recent advances in engineering TCR-like (TCRL) Abs promise advantages over their TCR counterparts for autoantigen-MHC targeting. Here, we compare the p/MHC binding by TCRs and TCRL Abs, review the strategies for generation of TCRL Abs, highlight their application for identification of autoantigen-presenting APCs, and discuss future directions and limitations of TCRL Abs as immunotherapy for autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Divisions of Human Gene Therapy and Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Program in Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, Divisions of Human Gene Therapy and Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Program in Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Wei Jiang, ; Elizabeth D. Mellins,
| | - Elizabeth D. Mellins
- Department of Pediatrics, Divisions of Human Gene Therapy and Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Stanford Program in Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Wei Jiang, ; Elizabeth D. Mellins,
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26
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Grace BE, Backlund CM, Morgan DM, Kang BH, Singh NK, Huisman BD, Rappazzo CG, Moynihan KD, Maiorino L, Dobson CS, Kyung T, Gordon KS, Holec PV, Mbah OCT, Garafola D, Wu S, Love JC, Wittrup KD, Irvine DJ, Birnbaum ME. Identification of Highly Cross-Reactive Mimotopes for a Public T Cell Response in Murine Melanoma. Front Immunol 2022; 13:886683. [PMID: 35812387 PMCID: PMC9260506 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.886683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
While immune checkpoint blockade results in durable responses for some patients, many others have not experienced such benefits. These treatments rely upon reinvigorating specific T cell-antigen interactions. However, it is often unknown what antigens are being recognized by T cells or how to potently induce antigen-specific responses in a broadly applicable manner. Here, we characterized the CD8+ T cell response to a murine model of melanoma following combination immunotherapy to determine the basis of tumor recognition. Sequencing of tumor-infiltrating T cells revealed a repertoire of highly homologous TCR sequences that were particularly expanded in treated mice and which recognized an antigen from an endogenous retrovirus. While vaccination against this peptide failed to raise a protective T cell response in vivo, engineered antigen mimotopes induced a significant expansion of CD8+ T cells cross-reactive to the original antigen. Vaccination with mimotopes resulted in killing of antigen-loaded cells in vivo yet showed modest survival benefit in a prophylactic vaccine paradigm. Together, this work demonstrates the identification of a dominant tumor-associated antigen and generation of mimotopes which can induce robust functional T cell responses that are cross-reactive to the endogenous antigen across multiple individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth E. Grace
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Coralie M. Backlund
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Duncan M. Morgan
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Byong H. Kang
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Nishant K. Singh
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Brooke D. Huisman
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - C. Garrett Rappazzo
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Kelly D. Moynihan
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Laura Maiorino
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Connor S. Dobson
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Taeyoon Kyung
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Khloe S. Gordon
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Patrick V. Holec
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | - Daniel Garafola
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Shengwei Wu
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - J. Christopher Love
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - K. Dane Wittrup
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Darrell J. Irvine
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Michael E. Birnbaum
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Michael E. Birnbaum,
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27
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Peptide vaccine-treated, long-term surviving cancer patients harbor self-renewing tumor-specific CD8 + T cells. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3123. [PMID: 35660746 PMCID: PMC9166698 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30861-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The behaviors and fates of immune cells in cancer patients, such as dysfunction and stem-like states leading to memory formation in T cells, are in intense focus of investigation. Here we show, by post hoc analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes of hepatocellular carcinoma patients previously undergoing vaccination with tumour-associated antigen-derived peptides in our clinical trials (registration numbers UMIN000003511, UMIN000004540, UMIN000005677, UMIN000003514 and UMIN000005678), that induced peptide-specific T cell responses may persist beyond 10 years following vaccination. Tracking TCR clonotypes at the single cell level reveals in two patients that peptide-specific long-lasting CD8+ T cells acquire an effector memory phenotype that associates with cell cycle-related genes (CCNA2 and CDK1), and are characterized by high expression of IL7R, SELL, and NOSIP along with a later stage promotion of the AP-1 transcription factor network (5 years or more past vaccination). We conclude that effective anti-tumor immunity is governed by potentially proliferative memory T cells, specific to cancer antigens.
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28
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Huseby ES, Teixeiro E. The perception and response of T cells to a changing environment are based on the law of initial value. Sci Signal 2022; 15:eabj9842. [PMID: 35639856 PMCID: PMC9290192 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abj9842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
αβ T cells are critical components of the adaptive immune system and are capable of inducing sterilizing immunity after pathogen infection and eliminating transformed tumor cells. The development and function of T cells are controlled through the T cell antigen receptor, which recognizes peptides displayed on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Here, we review how T cells generate the ability to recognize self-peptide-bound MHC molecules and use signals derived from these interactions to instruct cellular development, activation thresholds, and functional specialization in the steady state and during immune responses. We argue that the basic tenants of T cell development and function follow Weber-Fetcher's law of just noticeable differences and Wilder's law of initial value. Together, these laws argue that the ability of a system to respond and the quality of that response are scalable to the basal state of that system. Manifestation of these laws in T cells generates clone-specific activation thresholds that are based on perceivable differences between homeostasis and pathogen encounter (self versus nonself discrimination), as well as poised states for subsequent differentiation into specific effector cell lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric S. Huseby
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Emma Teixeiro
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
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29
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Zhao X, Kolawole EM, Chan W, Feng Y, Yang X, Gee MH, Jude KM, Sibener LV, Fordyce PM, Germain RN, Evavold BD, Garcia KC. Tuning T cell receptor sensitivity through catch bond engineering. Science 2022; 376:eabl5282. [PMID: 35389803 PMCID: PMC9513562 DOI: 10.1126/science.abl5282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy using engineered T cell receptors (TCRs) is a promising approach for targeting cancer antigens, but tumor-reactive TCRs are often weakly responsive to their target ligands, peptide-major histocompatibility complexes (pMHCs). Affinity-matured TCRs can enhance the efficacy of TCR-T cell therapy but can also cross-react with off-target antigens, resulting in organ immunopathology. We developed an alternative strategy to isolate TCR mutants that exhibited high activation signals coupled with low-affinity pMHC binding through the acquisition of catch bonds. Engineered analogs of a tumor antigen MAGE-A3-specific TCR maintained physiological affinities while exhibiting enhanced target killing potency and undetectable cross-reactivity, compared with a high-affinity clinically tested TCR that exhibited lethal cross-reactivity with a cardiac antigen. Catch bond engineering is a biophysically based strategy to tune high-sensitivity TCRs for T cell therapy with reduced potential for adverse cross-reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhao
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Kolawole
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Waipan Chan
- Lymphocyte Biology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yinnian Feng
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Xinbo Yang
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Marvin H Gee
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,Program in Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kevin M Jude
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Leah V Sibener
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,Program in Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Polly M Fordyce
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,ChEM-H Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,Chan Zuckerberg BioHub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Ronald N Germain
- Lymphocyte Biology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Brian D Evavold
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - K Christopher Garcia
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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30
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Wang L, Lan X. Rapid screening of TCR-pMHC interactions by the YAMTAD system. Cell Discov 2022; 8:30. [PMID: 35379810 PMCID: PMC8979966 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-022-00386-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Personalized immunotherapy, such as cancer vaccine and TCR-T methods, demands rapid screening of TCR-pMHC interactions. While several screening approaches have been developed, their throughput is limited. Here, the Yeast Agglutination Mediated TCR antigen Discovery system (YAMTAD) was designed and demonstrated to allow fast and unbiased library-on-library screening of TCR-pMHC interactions. Our proof-of-principle study achieved high sensitivity and specificity in identifying antigens for a given TCR and identifying TCRs recognizing a given pMHC for modest library sizes. Finally, the enrichment of high-affinity TCR-pMHC interactions by YAMTAD in library-on-library screening was demonstrated. Given the high throughput (106–108 × 106–108 in theory) and simplicity (identifying TCR-pMHC interactions without purification of TCR and pMHC) of YAMTAD, this study provides a rapid but effective platform for TCR-pMHC interaction screening, with valuable applications in future personalized immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihui Wang
- Department of Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.,MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xun Lan
- Department of Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. .,Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. .,MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
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31
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Dobson CS, Reich AN, Gaglione S, Smith BE, Kim EJ, Dong J, Ronsard L, Okonkwo V, Lingwood D, Dougan M, Dougan SK, Birnbaum ME. Antigen identification and high-throughput interaction mapping by reprogramming viral entry. Nat Methods 2022; 19:449-460. [PMID: 35396484 PMCID: PMC9012700 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-022-01436-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Deciphering immune recognition is critical for understanding a broad range of diseases and for the development of effective vaccines and immunotherapies. Efforts to do so are limited by a lack of technologies capable of simultaneously capturing the complexity of adaptive immunoreceptor repertoires and the landscape of potential antigens. To address this, we present receptor-antigen pairing by targeted retroviruses, which combines viral pseudotyping and molecular engineering approaches to enable one-pot library-on-library interaction screens by displaying antigens on the surface of lentiviruses and encoding their identity in the viral genome. Antigen-specific viral infection of cell lines expressing human T or B cell receptors allows readout of both antigen and receptor identities via single-cell sequencing. The resulting system is modular, scalable and compatible with any cell type. These techniques provide a suite of tools for targeted viral entry, molecular engineering and interaction screens with broad potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor S Dobson
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anna N Reich
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Stephanie Gaglione
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Blake E Smith
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Program in Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ellen J Kim
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jiayi Dong
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Vintus Okonkwo
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Michael Dougan
- Program in Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephanie K Dougan
- Program in Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael E Birnbaum
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Centre, Singapore, Singapore.
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32
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Gangopadhyay K, Roy S, Sen Gupta S, Chandradasan A, Chowdhury S, Das R. Regulating the discriminatory response to antigen by T-cell receptor. Biosci Rep 2022; 42:BSR20212012. [PMID: 35260878 PMCID: PMC8965820 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20212012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell-mediated immune response constitutes a robust host defense mechanism to eliminate pathogens and oncogenic cells. T cells play a central role in such a defense mechanism and creating memories to prevent any potential infection. T cell recognizes foreign antigen by its surface receptors when presented through antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and calibrates its cellular response by a network of intracellular signaling events. Activation of T-cell receptor (TCR) leads to changes in gene expression and metabolic networks regulating cell development, proliferation, and migration. TCR does not possess any catalytic activity, and the signaling initiates with the colocalization of several enzymes and scaffold proteins. Deregulation of T cell signaling is often linked to autoimmune disorders like severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. The TCR remarkably distinguishes the minor difference between self and non-self antigen through a kinetic proofreading mechanism. The output of TCR signaling is determined by the half-life of the receptor antigen complex and the time taken to recruit and activate the downstream enzymes. A longer half-life of a non-self antigen receptor complex could initiate downstream signaling by activating associated enzymes. Whereas, the short-lived, self-peptide receptor complex disassembles before the downstream enzymes are activated. Activation of TCR rewires the cellular metabolic response to aerobic glycolysis from oxidative phosphorylation. How does the early event in the TCR signaling cross-talk with the cellular metabolism is an open question. In this review, we have discussed the recent developments in understanding the regulation of TCR signaling, and then we reviewed the emerging role of metabolism in regulating T cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaustav Gangopadhyay
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Swarnendu Roy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Soumee Sen Gupta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Athira C. Chandradasan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Subhankar Chowdhury
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Rahul Das
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur 741246, India
- Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur 741246, India
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33
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Rong L, Lim RM, Yin X, Tan L, Yang JH, Xie J. Site-Specific Dinitrophenylation of Single-Chain Antibody Fragments for Redirecting a Universal CAR-T Cell against Cancer Antigens. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167513. [PMID: 35218770 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
We have previously developed a universal chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), which recognizes dinitrophenyl (DNP) and can redirect T and NK cells to target cancer and HIV antigens using DNP-conjugated antibodies as adaptor molecules. However, the DNP-antibody conjugates are generated by random modification, which may not be optimal for this modular system. Here, we report the development of enhanced adaptor molecules by site-specific DNP modification. We use the genetic code expansion technology to generate single-chain fragment variable (scFv) antibodies with site-specific DNP. We compare four anti-CD19 scFv mutants and find that the one with DNP at the flexible peptide linker between VH and VL is the most effective in redirecting anti-DNP CAR-T cells against CD19+ cells. The other three mutants are ineffective in doing so due to reduced DNP exposure or abrogated CD19 binding. We also use the anti-CD22 scFv as another model adaptor molecule and again find that the peptide linker is ideal for DNP derivatization. Our approach can potentially be used to design enhanced adaptor molecules to redirect the DNP-mediated universal CAR against other tumor antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Rong
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Rebecca M Lim
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Xiaosuo Yin
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Liyao Tan
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Jae H Yang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Jianming Xie
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA; Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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34
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Egan JR, Abu-Shah E, Dushek O, Elliott T, MacArthur BD. Fluctuations in T cell receptor and pMHC interactions regulate T cell activation. J R Soc Interface 2022; 19:20210589. [PMID: 35135295 PMCID: PMC8833104 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptive immune responses depend on interactions between T cell receptors (TCRs) and peptide major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) ligands located on the surface of T cells and antigen presenting cells (APCs), respectively. As TCRs and pMHCs are often only present at low copy numbers their interactions are inherently stochastic, yet the role of stochastic fluctuations on T cell function is unclear. Here, we introduce a minimal stochastic model of T cell activation that accounts for serial TCR-pMHC engagement, reversible TCR conformational change and TCR aggregation. Analysis of this model indicates that it is not the strength of binding between the T cell and the APC cell per se that elicits an immune response, but rather the information imparted to the T cell from the encounter, as assessed by the entropy rate of the TCR-pMHC binding dynamics. This view provides an information-theoretic interpretation of T cell activation that explains a range of experimental observations. Based on this analysis, we propose that effective T cell therapeutics may be enhanced by optimizing the inherent stochasticity of TCR-pMHC binding dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Egan
- Mathematical Sciences, Stem Cells and Regeneration, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.,Institute for Life Sciences, Stem Cells and Regeneration, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.,Centre for Cancer Immunology, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.,Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Enas Abu-Shah
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK.,Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FY, UK
| | - Omer Dushek
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Tim Elliott
- Institute for Life Sciences, Stem Cells and Regeneration, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.,Centre for Cancer Immunology, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Ben D MacArthur
- Mathematical Sciences, Stem Cells and Regeneration, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.,Institute for Life Sciences, Stem Cells and Regeneration, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.,Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.,Alan Turing Institute, London NW1 2DB, UK
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35
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Wu D, Kolesnikov A, Yin R, Guest JD, Gowthaman R, Shmelev A, Serdyuk Y, Dianov DV, Efimov GA, Pierce BG, Mariuzza RA. Structural assessment of HLA-A2-restricted SARS-CoV-2 spike epitopes recognized by public and private T-cell receptors. Nat Commun 2022; 13:19. [PMID: 35013235 PMCID: PMC8748687 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27669-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells play a vital role in combatting SARS-CoV-2 and forming long-term memory responses. Whereas extensive structural information is available on neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, such information on SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) bound to their peptide-MHC targets is lacking. Here we determine the structures of a public and a private TCR from COVID-19 convalescent patients in complex with HLA-A2 and two SARS-CoV-2 spike protein epitopes (YLQ and RLQ). The structures reveal the basis for selection of particular TRAV and TRBV germline genes by the public but not the private TCR, and for the ability of the TCRs to recognize natural variants of RLQ but not YLQ. Neither TCR recognizes homologous epitopes from human seasonal coronaviruses. By elucidating the mechanism for TCR recognition of an immunodominant yet variable epitope (YLQ) and a conserved but less commonly targeted epitope (RLQ), this study can inform prospective efforts to design vaccines to elicit pan-coronavirus immunity.
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MESH Headings
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/virology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/virology
- COVID-19/immunology
- COVID-19/virology
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/metabolism
- HLA-A2 Antigen/chemistry
- HLA-A2 Antigen/immunology
- HLA-A2 Antigen/metabolism
- Humans
- Immunodominant Epitopes/immunology
- Immunodominant Epitopes/metabolism
- Jurkat Cells
- K562 Cells
- Peptides/chemistry
- Peptides/immunology
- Peptides/metabolism
- Protein Binding
- Protein Conformation
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/chemistry
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- SARS-CoV-2/immunology
- SARS-CoV-2/metabolism
- SARS-CoV-2/physiology
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/metabolism
- Surface Plasmon Resonance/methods
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Affiliation(s)
- Daichao Wu
- W.M. Keck Laboratory for Structural Biology, University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Alexander Kolesnikov
- W.M. Keck Laboratory for Structural Biology, University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Rui Yin
- W.M. Keck Laboratory for Structural Biology, University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Johnathan D Guest
- W.M. Keck Laboratory for Structural Biology, University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Ragul Gowthaman
- W.M. Keck Laboratory for Structural Biology, University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Anton Shmelev
- National Research Center for Hematology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yana Serdyuk
- National Research Center for Hematology, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - Brian G Pierce
- W.M. Keck Laboratory for Structural Biology, University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
| | - Roy A Mariuzza
- W.M. Keck Laboratory for Structural Biology, University of Maryland Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
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36
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Pothast CR, Dijkland RC, Thaler M, Hagedoorn RS, Kester MGD, Wouters AK, Hiemstra PS, van Hemert MJ, Gras S, Falkenburg JHF, Heemskerk MHM. SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4 + and CD8 + T cell responses can originate from cross-reactive CMV-specific T cells. eLife 2022; 11:82050. [PMID: 36408799 PMCID: PMC9822249 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in SARS-CoV-2-unexposed donors has been explained by the presence of T cells primed by other coronaviruses. However, based on the relatively high frequency and prevalence of cross-reactive T cells, we hypothesized cytomegalovirus (CMV) may induce these cross-reactive T cells. Stimulation of pre-pandemic cryo-preserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with SARS-CoV-2 peptides revealed that frequencies of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells were higher in CMV-seropositive donors. Characterization of these T cells demonstrated that membrane-specific CD4+ and spike-specific CD8+ T cells originate from cross-reactive CMV-specific T cells. Spike-specific CD8+ T cells recognize SARS-CoV-2 spike peptide FVSNGTHWF (FVS) and dissimilar CMV pp65 peptide IPSINVHHY (IPS) presented by HLA-B*35:01. These dual IPS/FVS-reactive CD8+ T cells were found in multiple donors as well as severe COVID-19 patients and shared a common T cell receptor (TCR), illustrating that IPS/FVS-cross-reactivity is caused by a public TCR. In conclusion, CMV-specific T cells cross-react with SARS-CoV-2, despite low sequence homology between the two viruses, and may contribute to the pre-existing immunity against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cilia R Pothast
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeidenNetherlands
| | - Romy C Dijkland
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeidenNetherlands
| | - Melissa Thaler
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeidenNetherlands
| | - Renate S Hagedoorn
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeidenNetherlands
| | - Michel GD Kester
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeidenNetherlands
| | - Anne K Wouters
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeidenNetherlands
| | - Pieter S Hiemstra
- Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeidenNetherlands
| | - Martijn J van Hemert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical CenterLeidenNetherlands
| | - Stephanie Gras
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe UniversityVictoriaAustralia,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash UniversityClaytonAustralia
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37
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Huisman BD, Grace BE, Holec PV, Birnbaum ME. Yeast Display for the Identification of Peptide-MHC Ligands of Immune Receptors. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2491:263-291. [PMID: 35482196 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2285-8_15] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
T cells detect peptide antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins via their T cell receptor (TCR). The sequence diversity of possible antigens, with trillions of potential peptide-MHC targets, makes it challenging to study, characterize, and manipulate the peptide repertoire of a given TCR. Yeast display has been utilized to study the interactions between peptide-MHCs and T cell receptors to facilitate high-throughput screening of peptide-MHC libraries. Here we present insights on designing and validating a peptide-MHC yeast display construct, designing and constructing peptide libraries, conducting selections, and preparing, processing, and analyzing peptide library sequencing data. Applications for this approach are broad, including characterizing peptide-MHC recognition profiles for a TCR, screening for high-affinity mimotopes of known TCR-binding peptides, and identifying natural ligands of TCRs from expanded T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke D Huisman
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Beth E Grace
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Patrick V Holec
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Michael E Birnbaum
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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38
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Abstract
T cell activation is a critical event in the adaptive immune response, indispensable for cell-mediated and humoral immunity as well as for immune regulation. Recent years have witnessed an emerging trend emphasizing the essential role that physical force and mechanical properties play at the T cell interface. In this review, we integrate current knowledge of T cell antigen recognition and the different models of T cell activation from the perspective of mechanobiology, focusing on the interaction between the T cell receptor (TCR) and the peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) antigen. We address the shortcomings of TCR affinity alone in explaining T cell functional outcomes and the rising status of force-regulated TCR bond lifetimes, most notably the TCR catch bond. Ultimately, T cell activation and the ensuing physiological responses result from mechanical interaction between TCRs and the pMHC. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, Volume 37 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyu Liu
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA; , ,
| | - Elizabeth M Kolawole
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA; , ,
| | - Brian D Evavold
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA; , ,
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39
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Lanz AL, Masi G, Porciello N, Cohnen A, Cipria D, Prakaash D, Bálint Š, Raggiaschi R, Galgano D, Cole DK, Lepore M, Dushek O, Dustin ML, Sansom MSP, Kalli AC, Acuto O. Allosteric activation of T cell antigen receptor signaling by quaternary structure relaxation. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109375. [PMID: 34260912 PMCID: PMC8293630 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanism of T cell antigen receptor (TCR-CD3) signaling remains elusive. Here, we identify mutations in the transmembrane region of TCRβ or CD3ζ that augment peptide T cell antigen receptor (pMHC)-induced signaling not explicable by enhanced ligand binding, lateral diffusion, clustering, or co-receptor function. Using a biochemical assay and molecular dynamics simulation, we demonstrate that the gain-of-function mutations loosen the interaction between TCRαβ and CD3ζ. Similar to the activating mutations, pMHC binding reduces TCRαβ cohesion with CD3ζ. This event occurs prior to CD3ζ phosphorylation and at 0°C. Moreover, we demonstrate that soluble monovalent pMHC alone induces signaling and reduces TCRαβ cohesion with CD3ζ in membrane-bound or solubilised TCR-CD3. Our data provide compelling evidence that pMHC binding suffices to activate allosteric changes propagating from TCRαβ to the CD3 subunits, reconfiguring interchain transmembrane region interactions. These dynamic modifications could change the arrangement of TCR-CD3 boundary lipids to license CD3ζ phosphorylation and initiate signal propagation. Mutations in TCRβ and CD3ζ TMRs that reduce their interaction augment signaling pMHC and anti-CD3 binding to TCR-CD3 induce similar quaternary structure relaxation Soluble monovalent pMHC alone signals and reduces TCRαβ cohesion with CD3ζ Allosteric changes in TCR-CD3 dynamics instigate T cell activation
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Lisa Lanz
- T-cell signalling laboratory, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Giulia Masi
- T-cell signalling laboratory, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Nicla Porciello
- T-cell signalling laboratory, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - André Cohnen
- T-cell signalling laboratory, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Deborah Cipria
- T-cell signalling laboratory, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Dheeraj Prakaash
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Štefan Bálint
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FY, UK
| | - Roberto Raggiaschi
- T-cell signalling laboratory, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Donatella Galgano
- T-cell signalling laboratory, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - David K Cole
- Division Infection & Immunity, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK; Immunocore Ltd., Abingdon OX14 4RY, UK
| | | | - Omer Dushek
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Michael L Dustin
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FY, UK
| | - Mark S P Sansom
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK.
| | - Antreas C Kalli
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK.
| | - Oreste Acuto
- T-cell signalling laboratory, Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK.
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40
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Zareie P, Szeto C, Farenc C, Gunasinghe SD, Kolawole EM, Nguyen A, Blyth C, Sng XYX, Li J, Jones CM, Fulcher AJ, Jacobs JR, Wei Q, Wojciech L, Petersen J, Gascoigne NRJ, Evavold BD, Gaus K, Gras S, Rossjohn J, La Gruta NL. Canonical T cell receptor docking on peptide-MHC is essential for T cell signaling. Science 2021; 372:372/6546/eabe9124. [PMID: 34083463 DOI: 10.1126/science.abe9124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
T cell receptor (TCR) recognition of peptide-major histocompatibility complexes (pMHCs) is characterized by a highly conserved docking polarity. Whether this polarity is driven by recognition or signaling constraints remains unclear. Using "reversed-docking" TCRβ-variable (TRBV) 17+ TCRs from the naïve mouse CD8+ T cell repertoire that recognizes the H-2Db-NP366 epitope, we demonstrate that their inability to support T cell activation and in vivo recruitment is a direct consequence of reversed docking polarity and not TCR-pMHCI binding or clustering characteristics. Canonical TCR-pMHCI docking optimally localizes CD8/Lck to the CD3 complex, which is prevented by reversed TCR-pMHCI polarity. The requirement for canonical docking was circumvented by dissociating Lck from CD8. Thus, the consensus TCR-pMHC docking topology is mandated by T cell signaling constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pirooz Zareie
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher Szeto
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carine Farenc
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sachith D Gunasinghe
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Australia Node in Single Molecule Science and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elizabeth M Kolawole
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Angela Nguyen
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chantelle Blyth
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Xavier Y X Sng
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jasmine Li
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Claerwen M Jones
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alex J Fulcher
- Monash Micro Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jesica R Jacobs
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Qianru Wei
- Immunology Translational Research Programme and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545
| | - Lukasz Wojciech
- Immunology Translational Research Programme and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545
| | - Jan Petersen
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicholas R J Gascoigne
- Immunology Translational Research Programme and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545
| | - Brian D Evavold
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Katharina Gaus
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Australia Node in Single Molecule Science and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephanie Gras
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. .,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jamie Rossjohn
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. .,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Institute of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Nicole L La Gruta
- Infection and Immunity Program and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
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41
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Horkova V, Stepanek O. A LoCK at the T cell dock. Science 2021; 372:1038-1039. [PMID: 34083474 DOI: 10.1126/science.abj2937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Horkova
- Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Stepanek
- Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic.
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42
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Structures suggest an approach for converting weak self-peptide tumor antigens into superagonists for CD8 T cells in cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2100588118. [PMID: 34074778 PMCID: PMC8201969 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2100588118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor vaccines using modified self-antigens that structurally enhance T cell receptor–peptide–major histocompatibility complex interactions greatly improve a T cell protective response against the tumor’s unmodified self-antigen. X-ray crystal structures of these interactions explain how the native and modified peptides can interact with the same T cell receptor, but with different affinities and abilities to drive T cell proliferation and differentiation. Tumors frequently express unmutated self-tumor–associated antigens (self-TAAs). However, trial results using self-TAAs as vaccine targets against cancer are mixed, often attributed to deletion of T cells with high-affinity receptors (TCRs) for self-TAAs during T cell development. Mutating these weak self-TAAs to produce higher affinity, effective vaccines is challenging, since the mutations may not benefit all members of the broad self-TAA–specific T cell repertoire. We previously identified a common weak murine self-TAA that we converted to a highly effective antitumor vaccine by a single amino acid substitution. In this case the modified and natural self-TAAs still raised very similar sets of CD8 T cells. Our structural studies herein show that the modification of the self-TAA resulted in a subtle change in the major histocompatibility complex I–TAA structure. This amino acid substitution allowed a dramatic conformational change in the peptide during subsequent TCR engagement, creating a large increase in TCR affinity and accounting for the efficacy of the modified self-TAA as a vaccine. These results show that carefully selected, well-characterized modifications to a poorly immunogenic self-TAA can rescue the immune response of the large repertoire of weakly responding natural self-TAA–specific CD8 T cells, driving them to proliferate and differentiate into functional effectors. Subsequently, the unmodified self-TAA on the tumor cells, while unable to drive this response, is nevertheless a sufficient target for the CD8 cytotoxic effectors. Our results suggest a pathway for more efficiently identifying variants of common self-TAAs, which could be useful in vaccine development, complementing other current nonantigen-specific immunotherapies.
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43
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T Cell Receptor Genotype and Ubash3a Determine Susceptibility to Rat Autoimmune Diabetes. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12060852. [PMID: 34205929 PMCID: PMC8227067 DOI: 10.3390/genes12060852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic analyses of human type 1 diabetes (T1D) have yet to reveal a complete pathophysiologic mechanism. Inbred rats with a high-risk class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotype (RT1B/Du) can illuminate such mechanisms. Using T1D-susceptible LEW.1WR1 rats that express RT1B/Du and a susceptible allele of the Ubd promoter, we demonstrate that germline knockout of Tcrb-V13S1A1, which encodes the Vβ13a T cell receptor β chain, completely prevents diabetes. Using the RT1B/Du-identical LEW.1W rat, which does not develop T1D despite also having the same Tcrb-V13S1A1 β chain gene but a different allele at the Ubd locus, we show that knockout of the Ubash3a regulatory gene renders these resistant rats relatively susceptible to diabetes. In silico structural modeling of the susceptible allele of the Vβ13a TCR and its class II RT1u ligand suggests a mechanism by which a germline TCR β chain gene could promote susceptibility to T1D in the absence of downstream immunoregulation like that provided by UBASH3A. Together these data demonstrate the critical contribution of the Vβ13a TCR to the autoimmune synapse in T1D and the regulation of the response by UBASH3A. These experiments dissect the mechanisms by which MHC class II heterodimers, TCR and regulatory element interact to induce autoimmunity.
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44
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Cortés A, Coral J, McLachlan C, Corredor JAG, Benítez R. Molecular transduction in receptor-ligand systems by planar electromagnetic fields. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 82:e232525. [PMID: 34076160 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.232525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The coupling of a ligand with a molecular receptor induces a signal that travels through the receptor, reaching the internal domain and triggering a response cascade. In previous work on T-cell receptors and their coupling with foreign antigens, we observed the presence of planar molecular patterns able to generate electromagnetic fields within the proteins. These planes showed a coherent (synchronized) behavior, replicating immediately in the intracellular domain that which occurred in the extracellular domain as the ligand was coupled. In the present study, we examined this molecular transduction - the capacity of the coupling signal to penetrate deep inside the receptor molecule and induce a response. We verified the presence of synchronized behavior in diverse receptor-ligand systems. To appreciate this diversity, we present four biochemically different systems - TCR-peptide, calcium pump-ADP, haemoglobin-oxygen, and gp120-CD4 viral coupling. The confirmation of synchronized molecular transduction in each of these systems suggests that the proposed mechanism would occur in all biochemical receptor-ligand systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Cortés
- Department of Molecular Physics, Synthetic Vaccine and New Drug Research Institute - IVSI, Popayán, Colombia
| | - J Coral
- Department of Molecular Physics, Synthetic Vaccine and New Drug Research Institute - IVSI, Popayán, Colombia
| | - C McLachlan
- Department of Molecular Physics, Synthetic Vaccine and New Drug Research Institute - IVSI, Popayán, Colombia
| | - J A G Corredor
- Chemistry Department, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Colombia
| | - R Benítez
- Chemistry Department, Chemical of Natural Products group, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Colombia
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45
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Pettmann J, Huhn A, Abu Shah E, Kutuzov MA, Wilson DB, Dustin ML, Davis SJ, van der Merwe PA, Dushek O. The discriminatory power of the T cell receptor. eLife 2021; 10:e67092. [PMID: 34030769 PMCID: PMC8219380 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells use their T cell receptors (TCRs) to discriminate between lower-affinity self and higher-affinity non-self peptides presented on major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) antigens. Although the discriminatory power of the TCR is widely believed to be near-perfect, technical difficulties have hampered efforts to precisely quantify it. Here, we describe a method for measuring very low TCR/pMHC affinities and use it to measure the discriminatory power of the TCR and the factors affecting it. We find that TCR discrimination, although enhanced compared with conventional cell-surface receptors, is imperfect: primary human T cells can respond to pMHC with affinities as low as KD ∼ 1 mM. The kinetic proofreading mechanism fit our data, providing the first estimates of both the time delay (2.8 s) and number of biochemical steps (2.67) that are consistent with the extraordinary sensitivity of antigen recognition. Our findings explain why self pMHC frequently induce autoimmune diseases and anti-tumour responses, and suggest ways to modify TCR discrimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Pettmann
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Anna Huhn
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Enas Abu Shah
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Mikhail A Kutuzov
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Daniel B Wilson
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Boston University, Department of Mathematics and StatisticsBostonUnited States
| | - Michael L Dustin
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Simon J Davis
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Omer Dushek
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
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46
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Cross-TCR Antagonism Revealed by Optogenetically Tuning the Half-Life of the TCR Ligand Binding. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094920. [PMID: 34066527 PMCID: PMC8124730 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of T cells by agonistic peptide-MHC can be inhibited by antagonistic ones. However, the exact mechanism remains elusive. We used Jurkat cells expressing two different TCRs and tested whether stimulation of the endogenous TCR by agonistic anti-Vβ8 antibodies can be modulated by ligand-binding to the second, optogenetic TCR. The latter TCR uses phytochrome B tetramers (PhyBt) as ligand, the binding half-life of which can be altered by light. We show that this half-life determined whether the PhyBt acted as a second agonist (long half-life), an antagonist (short half-life) or did not have any influence (very short half-life) on calcium influx. A mathematical model of this cross-antagonism shows that a mechanism based on an inhibitory signal generated by early recruitment of a phosphatase and an activating signal by later recruitment of a kinase explains the data.
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47
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Springer I, Tickotsky N, Louzoun Y. Contribution of T Cell Receptor Alpha and Beta CDR3, MHC Typing, V and J Genes to Peptide Binding Prediction. Front Immunol 2021; 12:664514. [PMID: 33981311 PMCID: PMC8107833 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.664514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Predicting the binding specificity of T Cell Receptors (TCR) to MHC-peptide complexes (pMHCs) is essential for the development of repertoire-based biomarkers. This affinity may be affected by different components of the TCR, the peptide, and the MHC allele. Historically, the main element used in TCR-peptide binding prediction was the Complementarity Determining Region 3 (CDR3) of the beta chain. However, recently the contribution of other components, such as the alpha chain and the other V gene CDRs has been suggested. We use a highly accurate novel deep learning-based TCR-peptide binding predictor to assess the contribution of each component to the binding. Methods We have previously developed ERGO-I (pEptide tcR matchinG predictiOn), a sequence-based T-cell receptor (TCR)-peptide binding predictor that employs natural language processing (NLP) -based methods. We improved it to create ERGO-II by adding the CDR3 alpha segment, the MHC typing, V and J genes, and T cell type (CD4+ or CD8+) as to the predictor. We then estimate the contribution of each component to the prediction. Results and Discussion ERGO-II provides for the first time high accuracy prediction of TCR-peptide for previously unseen peptides. For most tested peptides and all measures of binding prediction accuracy, the main contribution was from the beta chain CDR3 sequence, followed by the beta chain V and J and the alpha chain, in that order. The MHC allele was the least contributing component. ERGO-II is accessible as a webserver at http://tcr2.cs.biu.ac.il/ and as a standalone code at https://github.com/IdoSpringer/ERGO-II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ido Springer
- Department of Mathematics, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Nili Tickotsky
- Faculty of Life Science, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Yoram Louzoun
- Department of Mathematics, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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48
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Iannuzzi R, Rossetti G, Spitaleri A, Bonnal RJP, Pagani M, Mollica L. A Simplified Amino Acidic Alphabet to Unveil the T-Cells Receptors Antigens: A Computational Perspective. Front Chem 2021; 9:598802. [PMID: 33718327 PMCID: PMC7947793 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.598802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The exposure to pathogens triggers the activation of adaptive immune responses through antigens bound to surface receptors of antigen presenting cells (APCs). T cell receptors (TCR) are responsible for initiating the immune response through their physical direct interaction with antigen-bound receptors on the APCs surface. The study of T cell interactions with antigens is considered of crucial importance for the comprehension of the role of immune responses in cancer growth and for the subsequent design of immunomodulating anticancer drugs. RNA sequencing experiments performed on T cells represented a major breakthrough for this branch of experimental molecular biology. Apart from the gene expression levels, the hypervariable CDR3α/β sequences of the TCR loops can now be easily determined and modelled in the three dimensions, being the portions of TCR mainly responsible for the interaction with APC receptors. The most direct experimental method for the investigation of antigens would be based on peptide libraries, but their huge combinatorial nature, size, cost, and the difficulty of experimental fine tuning makes this approach complicated time consuming, and costly. We have implemented in silico methodology with the aim of moving from CDR3α/β sequences to a library of potentially antigenic peptides that can be used in immunologically oriented experiments to study T cells’ reactivity. To reduce the size of the library, we have verified the reproducibility of experimental benchmarks using the permutation of only six residues that can be considered representative of all ensembles of 20 natural amino acids. Such a simplified alphabet is able to correctly find the poses and chemical nature of original antigens within a small subset of ligands of potential interest. The newly generated library would have the advantage of leading to potentially antigenic ligands that would contribute to a better understanding of the chemical nature of TCR-antigen interactions. This step is crucial in the design of immunomodulators targeted towards T-cells response as well as in understanding the first principles of an immune response in several diseases, from cancer to autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Iannuzzi
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare INGM 'Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi', Milan, Italy
| | - Grazisa Rossetti
- Molecular Oncology and Immunology, FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology (IFOM), Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Spitaleri
- Emerging Bacterial Pathogens Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Raoul J P Bonnal
- Molecular Oncology and Immunology, FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology (IFOM), Milan, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Pagani
- Molecular Oncology and Immunology, FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology (IFOM), Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Mollica
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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49
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Chen Z, Ruan P, Wang L, Nie X, Ma X, Tan Y. T and B cell Epitope analysis of SARS-CoV-2 S protein based on immunoinformatics and experimental research. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:1274-1289. [PMID: 33325143 PMCID: PMC7812294 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 is pandemic with a severe morbidity and mortality rate across the world. Despite the race for effective vaccine and drug against further expansion and fatality rate of this novel coronavirus, there is still lack of effective antiviral therapy. To this effect, we deemed it necessary to identify potential B and T cell epitopes from the envelope S protein. This can be used as potential targets to develop anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine preparations. In this study, we used immunoinformatics to identify conservative B and T cell epitopes for S proteins of SARS-CoV-2, which might play roles in the initiation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We identified the B cell and T cell peptide epitopes of S protein and their antigenicity, as well as the interaction between the peptide epitopes and human leucocyte antigen (HLA). Among the B cell epitopes, 'EILDITPCSFGGVS' has the highest score of antigenicity and great immunogenicity. In T cell epitopes, MHC-I peptide 'KIADYNYKL' and MHC-II peptide 'LEILDITPC' were identified as high antigens. Besides, docking analysis showed that the predicted peptide 'KIADYNYKL' was closely bound to the HLA-A*0201. The results of molecular dynamics simulation through GROMACS software showed that 'HLA-A*0201~peptide' complex was very stable. And the peptide we selected could induce the T cell response similar to that of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, the predicted peptides were highly conserved in different isolates from different countries. The antigenic epitopes presumed in this study were effective new vaccine targets to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Chen
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyXiangya School of MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryThird Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
- Department of NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral DiseasesNational Institute for Viral Disease Control and PreventionChinese Center for Disease Control and PreventionBeijingChina
| | - Pinglang Ruan
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyXiangya School of MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Lili Wang
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyXiangya School of MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Xinmin Nie
- Department of Clinical LaboratoryThird Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | - Xuejun Ma
- Department of NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral DiseasesNational Institute for Viral Disease Control and PreventionChinese Center for Disease Control and PreventionBeijingChina
| | - Yurong Tan
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyXiangya School of MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
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50
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TCR Recognition of Peptide-MHC-I: Rule Makers and Breakers. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010068. [PMID: 33374673 PMCID: PMC7793522 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells are a critical part of the adaptive immune system that are able to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy cells. Upon recognition of protein fragments (peptides), activated T cells will contribute to the immune response and help clear infection. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, or human leukocyte antigens (HLA) in humans, bind these peptides to present them to T cells that recognise them with their surface T cell receptors (TCR). This recognition event is the first step that leads to T cell activation, and in turn can dictate disease outcomes. The visualisation of TCR interaction with pMHC using structural biology has been crucial in understanding this key event, unravelling the parameters that drive this interaction and their impact on the immune response. The last five years has been the most productive within the field, wherein half of current unique TCR-pMHC-I structures to date were determined within this time. Here, we review the new insights learned from these recent TCR-pMHC-I structures and their impact on T cell activation.
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