1
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Schoufour TA, van der Plas - van Duijn A, Derksen I, Melgers M, van Veenendaal JM, Lensen C, Heemskerk MH, Neefjes J, Wijdeven RH, Scheeren FA. CRISPR-Cas9 screening reveals a distinct class of MHC-I binders with precise HLA-peptide recognition. iScience 2024; 27:110120. [PMID: 38939106 PMCID: PMC11209011 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110120] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class-I molecules present fragments of the cellular proteome to the T cell receptor (TCR) of cytotoxic T cells to control infectious diseases and cancer. The large number of combinations of HLA class-I allotypes and peptides allows for highly specific and dedicated low-affinity interactions to a diverse array of TCRs and natural killer (NK) cell receptors. Whether the divergent HLA class-I peptide complex is exclusive for interactions with these proteins is unknown. Using genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 activation and knockout screens, we identified peptide-specific HLA-C∗07 combinations that can interact with the surface molecules CD55 and heparan sulfate. These interactions closely resemble the HLA class-I interaction with the TCR regarding both the affinity range and the specificity of the peptide and HLA allele. These findings indicate that various proteins can specifically bind HLA class-I peptide complexes due to their polymorphic nature, which suggests there are more interactions like the ones we describe here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom A.W. Schoufour
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands
| | - Anneloes van der Plas - van Duijn
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands
| | - Ian Derksen
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands
| | - Marije Melgers
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands
| | | | - Claire Lensen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands
| | - Mirjam H.M. Heemskerk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands
| | - Jacques Neefjes
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands
| | - Ruud H.M. Wijdeven
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research (CNCR), Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, 1007 MB Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, the Netherlands
| | - Ferenc A. Scheeren
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, Zuid-Holland, the Netherlands
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2
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Korpela D, Jokinen E, Dumitrescu A, Huuhtanen J, Mustjoki S, Lähdesmäki H. EPIC-TRACE: predicting TCR binding to unseen epitopes using attention and contextualized embeddings. Bioinformatics 2023; 39:btad743. [PMID: 38070156 PMCID: PMC10963061 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btad743] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION T cells play an essential role in adaptive immune system to fight pathogens and cancer but may also give rise to autoimmune diseases. The recognition of a peptide-MHC (pMHC) complex by a T cell receptor (TCR) is required to elicit an immune response. Many machine learning models have been developed to predict the binding, but generalizing predictions to pMHCs outside the training data remains challenging. RESULTS We have developed a new machine learning model that utilizes information about the TCR from both α and β chains, epitope sequence, and MHC. Our method uses ProtBERT embeddings for the amino acid sequences of both chains and the epitope, as well as convolution and multi-head attention architectures. We show the importance of each input feature as well as the benefit of including epitopes with only a few TCRs to the training data. We evaluate our model on existing databases and show that it compares favorably against other state-of-the-art models. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION https://github.com/DaniTheOrange/EPIC-TRACE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dani Korpela
- Department of Computer Science, Aalto University, 02150 Espoo, Finland
| | - Emmi Jokinen
- Department of Computer Science, Aalto University, 02150 Espoo, Finland
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Jani Huuhtanen
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Satu Mustjoki
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- Hematology Research Unit Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- iCAN Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Flagship, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Harri Lähdesmäki
- Department of Computer Science, Aalto University, 02150 Espoo, Finland
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3
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Murray JS. Dichotomy in TCR V-domain dynamics binding the opposed inclined planes of pMHC-II and pMHC-I α-helices. Mol Immunol 2023; 162:111-124. [PMID: 37677988 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2023.07.006] [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: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Ligand recognition by the human α/β T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) heterodimer protein, unlike the surface immunoglobulin (sIg) B-cell receptor, is not governed by relative binding affinity. Its interaction with the peptide (p) plus major histocompatibility complex (MHC) protein (abbrev. pMHC) likely involves some different molecular mechanism linking pMHC binding to T-cell functions. Recent analytical geometry of TCR:pMHC-II solved crystallographic structures (n = 40) revealed that each variable (V)-domain is bound in similar, yet mathematically unique orientations to its target pMHC groove. The relative position of the central cysteine of each V-domain was examined by multivariable calculus in spherical coordinates, where a simple volume element (dV) was found to describe clonotypic geometry with pMHC-II. Here, the study was expanded to include TCR:pMHC-I structures, and to model a physical mechanism, specifically involving the two directionally opposed inclined planes (IP) manifest by the two major α-helices prominent in both MHC-I and MHC-II proteins. Calculations for rotational torque of each V-domain, together with acceleration up and down the slopes of both MHC α-helices were used to estimate the time a given V-domain spends sliding down its cognate MHC IP. This V-domain rotation/sliding mechanism appears to be quantitatively unique for each TCR:pMHC V-domain (n = 40). However, there is an apparent and common dichotomy between the mobility of each V-domain with respect to the two classes of MHC proteins. Evolutionary motifs in the MHC helices support that the V-domains negotiate the opposed inclined planes of pMHC ligands in clonotypic fashion. Thus, this model is useful in understanding how mechanical forces are linked to TCR function.
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4
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Moldovan L, Song CH, Chen YC, Wang HJ, Ju LA. Biomembrane force probe (BFP): Design, advancements, and recent applications to live-cell mechanobiology. EXPLORATION (BEIJING, CHINA) 2023; 3:20230004. [PMID: 37933233 PMCID: PMC10624387 DOI: 10.1002/exp.20230004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical forces play a vital role in biological processes at molecular and cellular levels, significantly impacting various diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and COVID-19. Recent advancements in dynamic force spectroscopy (DFS) techniques have enabled the application and measurement of forces and displacements with high resolutions, providing crucial insights into the mechanical pathways underlying these diseases. Among DFS techniques, the biomembrane force probe (BFP) stands out for its ability to measure bond kinetics and cellular mechanosensing with pico-newton and nano-meter resolutions. Here, a comprehensive overview of the classical BFP-DFS setup is presented and key advancements are emphasized, including the development of dual biomembrane force probe (dBFP) and fluorescence biomembrane force probe (fBFP). BFP-DFS allows us to investigate dynamic bond behaviors on living cells and significantly enhances the understanding of specific ligand-receptor axes mediated cell mechanosensing. The contributions of BFP-DFS to the fields of cancer biology, thrombosis, and inflammation are delved into, exploring its potential to elucidate novel therapeutic discoveries. Furthermore, future BFP upgrades aimed at improving output and feasibility are anticipated, emphasizing its growing importance in the field of cell mechanobiology. Although BFP-DFS remains a niche research modality, its impact on the expanding field of cell mechanobiology is immense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Moldovan
- School of Biomedical EngineeringThe University of SydneyDarlingtonNew South WalesAustralia
- Charles Perkins CentreThe University of SydneyCamperdownNew South WalesAustralia
- Heart Research InstituteNewtownNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Caroline Haoran Song
- School of Biomedical EngineeringThe University of SydneyDarlingtonNew South WalesAustralia
- Charles Perkins CentreThe University of SydneyCamperdownNew South WalesAustralia
- Heart Research InstituteNewtownNew South WalesAustralia
- Sydney Nano Institute (Sydney Nano)The University of SydneyCamperdownNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Yiyao Catherine Chen
- School of Biomedical EngineeringThe University of SydneyDarlingtonNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Haoqing Jerry Wang
- School of Biomedical EngineeringThe University of SydneyDarlingtonNew South WalesAustralia
- Heart Research InstituteNewtownNew South WalesAustralia
- Sydney Nano Institute (Sydney Nano)The University of SydneyCamperdownNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Lining Arnold Ju
- School of Biomedical EngineeringThe University of SydneyDarlingtonNew South WalesAustralia
- Charles Perkins CentreThe University of SydneyCamperdownNew South WalesAustralia
- Heart Research InstituteNewtownNew South WalesAustralia
- Sydney Nano Institute (Sydney Nano)The University of SydneyCamperdownNew South WalesAustralia
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5
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Carnel N, Lancia HH, Guinier C, Benichou G. Pathways of Antigen Recognition by T Cells in Allograft Rejection. Transplantation 2023; 107:827-837. [PMID: 36398330 PMCID: PMC10600686 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004420] [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] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The adaptive immune response leading to the rejection of allogeneic transplants is initiated and orchestrated by recipient T cells recognizing donor antigens. T-cell allorecognition is mediated via 3 distinct mechanisms: the direct pathway in which T cells recognize allogeneic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on donor cells, the indirect pathway through which T cells interact with donor peptides bound with self-MHC molecules on recipient antigen-presenting cells, and the recently described semidirect pathway whereby T cells recognize donor MHC proteins on recipient antigen-presenting cells. In this article, we present a description of each of these allorecognition pathways and discuss their role in acute and chronic rejection of allogeneic transplants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natacha Carnel
- Department of Surgery, Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Hyshem H. Lancia
- Department of Surgery, Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Claire Guinier
- Department of Surgery, Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Gilles Benichou
- Department of Surgery, Center for Transplantation Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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6
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Rollins ZA, Huang J, Tagkopoulos I, Faller R, George SC. A Computational Algorithm to Assess the Physiochemical Determinants of T Cell Receptor Dissociation Kinetics. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:3473-3481. [PMID: 35860406 PMCID: PMC9278023 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.06.048] [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: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The rational design of T Cell Receptors (TCRs) for immunotherapy has stagnated due to a limited understanding of the dynamic physiochemical features of the TCR that elicit an immunogenic response. The physiochemical features of the TCR-peptide major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) bond dictate bond lifetime which, in turn, correlates with immunogenicity. Here, we: i) characterize the force-dependent dissociation kinetics of the bond between a TCR and a set of pMHC ligands using Steered Molecular Dynamics (SMD); and ii) implement a machine learning algorithm to identify which physiochemical features of the TCR govern dissociation kinetics. Our results demonstrate that the total number of hydrogen bonds between the CDR2β-MHC⍺(β), CDR1α-Peptide, and CDR3β-Peptide are critical features that determine bond lifetime.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jun Huang
- University of California, Davis, Davis, California, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | | | | | - Steven C. George
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Corresponding author at: Department of Biomedical Engineering, 451 E. Health Sciences Drive, room 2315, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616.
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7
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Rollins ZA, Faller R, George SC. Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations to Interrogate T Cell Receptor Non-Equilibrium Kinetics. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:2124-2133. [PMID: 35832631 PMCID: PMC9092387 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Insights into the atomic-scale interaction of the T Cell Receptor with the peptide Major Histocompatibility Complex. Investigation of the physiochemical features that correspond with T Cell Receptor recognition during dynamic dissociation. Implications of force-dependent non-equilibrium kinetics on T Cell Receptor mechanosensing.
An atomic-scale mechanism of T Cell Receptor (TCR) mechanosensing of peptides in the binding groove of the peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) may inform the design of novel TCRs for immunotherapies. Using steered molecular dynamics simulations, our study demonstrates that mutations to peptides in the binding groove of the pMHC – which are known to discretely alter the T cell response to an antigen – alter the MHC conformation at equilibrium. This subsequently impacts the overall strength (duration and length) of the TCR-pMHC bond under constant load. Moreover, physiochemical features of the TCR-pMHC dynamic bond strength, such as hydrogen bonds and Lennard-Jones contacts, correlate with the immunogenic response elicited by the specific peptide in the MHC groove. Thus, formation of transient TCR-pMHC bonds is characteristic of immunogenic peptides, and steered molecular dynamics simulations can be used in the overall design strategy of TCRs for immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A. Rollins
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Ave, Bainer Hall, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Roland Faller
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Ave, Bainer Hall, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Steven C. George
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, 451 E. Health Sciences Dr., GBSF 2303, Davis, CA 95616, United States
- Corresponding author at: Department of Biomedical Engineering, 451 E. Health Sciences Drive, Room 2315, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
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8
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CDR3 binding chemistry controls TCR V-domain rotational probability and germline CDR2 scanning of polymorphic MHC. Mol Immunol 2022; 144:138-151. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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9
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Zhang A, Piechocka-Trocha A, Li X, Walker BD. A Leucine Zipper Dimerization Strategy to Generate Soluble T Cell Receptors Using the Escherichia coli Expression System. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030312. [PMID: 35159122 PMCID: PMC8834513 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell-mediated adaptive immunity plays a key role in immunological surveillance and host control of infectious diseases. A better understanding of T cell receptor (TCR) recognition of pathogen-derived epitopes or cancer-associated neoantigens is the basis for developing T cell-based vaccines and immunotherapies. Studies on the interaction between soluble TCR α:β heterodimers and peptide-bound major histocompatibility complexes (pMHCs) inform underlying mechanisms driving TCR recognition, but not every isolated TCR can be prepared in soluble form for structural and functional studies using conventional methods. Here, taking a challenging HIV-specific TCR as a model, we designed a general leucine zipper (LZ) dimerization strategy for soluble TCR preparation using the Escherichia coli expression system. We report details of TCR construction, inclusion body expression and purification, and protein refolding and purification. Measurements of binding affinity between the TCR and its specific pMHC using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) verify its activity. We conclude that this is a feasible approach to produce challenging TCRs in soluble form, needed for studies related to T cell recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Zhang
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (A.Z.); (A.P.-T.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alicja Piechocka-Trocha
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (A.Z.); (A.P.-T.)
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Xiaolong Li
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (A.Z.); (A.P.-T.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Correspondence: (X.L.); (B.D.W.)
| | - Bruce D. Walker
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; (A.Z.); (A.P.-T.)
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES) and Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Correspondence: (X.L.); (B.D.W.)
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10
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Mayer-Blackwell K, Fiore-Gartland A, Thomas PG. Flexible Distance-Based TCR Analysis in Python with tcrdist3. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2574:309-366. [PMID: 36087210 PMCID: PMC9719034 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2712-9_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Paired- and single-chain T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing are now commonly used techniques for interrogating adaptive immune responses. TCRs targeting the same epitope frequently share motifs consisting of critical contact residues. Here we illustrate the key features of tcrdist3, a new Python package for distance-based TCR analysis through a series of three interactive examples. In the first example, we illustrate how tcrdist3 can integrate sequence similarity networks, gene-usage plots, and background-adjusted CDR3 logos to identify TCR sequence features conferring antigen specificity among sets of peptide-MHC-multimer sorted receptors. In the second example, we show how the TCRjoin feature in tcrdist3 can be used to flexibly query receptor sequences of interest against bulk repertoires or libraries of previously annotated TCRs based on matching of similar sequences. In the third example, we show how the TCRdist metric can be leveraged to identify candidate polyclonal receptors under antigenic selection in bulk repertoires based on sequence neighbor enrichment testing, a statistical approach similar to TCRNET and ALICE algorithms, but with added flexibility in how the neighborhood can be defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koshlan Mayer-Blackwell
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA
| | - Andrew Fiore-Gartland
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA
| | - Paul G. Thomas
- Immunology Department, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, USA,Corresponding author: Paul G. Thomas,
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11
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Schaap-Johansen AL, Vujović M, Borch A, Hadrup SR, Marcatili P. T Cell Epitope Prediction and Its Application to Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:712488. [PMID: 34603286 PMCID: PMC8479193 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.712488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells play a crucial role in controlling and driving the immune response with their ability to discriminate peptides derived from healthy as well as pathogenic proteins. In this review, we focus on the currently available computational tools for epitope prediction, with a particular focus on tools aimed at identifying neoepitopes, i.e. cancer-specific peptides and their potential for use in immunotherapy for cancer treatment. This review will cover how these tools work, what kind of data they use, as well as pros and cons in their respective applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Milena Vujović
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Annie Borch
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Sine Reker Hadrup
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Paolo Marcatili
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
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12
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Zhovmer AS, Chandler M, Manning A, Afonin KA, Tabdanov ED. Programmable DNA-augmented hydrogels for controlled activation of human lymphocytes. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2021; 37:102442. [PMID: 34284132 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2021.102442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Contractile forces within the planar interface between T cell and antigen-presenting surface mechanically stimulate T cell receptors (TCR) in the mature immune synapses. However, the origin of mechanical stimulation during the initial, i.e., presynaptic, microvilli-based TCR activation in the course of immune surveillance remains unknown and new tools to help address this problem are needed. In this work, we develop nucleic acid nanoassembly (NAN)-based technology for functionalization of hydrogels using isothermal toehold-mediated reassociation of RNA/DNA heteroduplexes. Resulting platform allows for regulation with NAN linkers of 3D force momentum along the TCR mechanical axis, whereas hydrogels contribute to modulation of 2D shear modulus. By utilizing different lengths of NAN linkers conjugated to polyacrylamide gels of different shear moduli, we demonstrate an efficient capture of human T lymphocytes and tunable activation of TCR, as confirmed by T-cell spreading and pY foci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander S Zhovmer
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
| | - Morgan Chandler
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Alexis Manning
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Kirill A Afonin
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA.
| | - Erdem D Tabdanov
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.
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13
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Murray JS. TCR-pMHC: may the force be of you? Cell Mol Immunol 2021; 18:1622-1623. [PMID: 33479416 PMCID: PMC8245527 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00635-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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14
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Khatun A, Kasmani MY, Zander R, Schauder DM, Snook JP, Shen J, Wu X, Burns R, Chen YG, Lin CW, Williams MA, Cui W. Single-cell lineage mapping of a diverse virus-specific naive CD4 T cell repertoire. J Exp Med 2021; 218:e20200650. [PMID: 33201171 PMCID: PMC7676493 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20200650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tracking how individual naive T cells from a natural TCR repertoire clonally expand, differentiate, and make lineage choices in response to an infection has not previously been possible. Here, using single-cell sequencing technology to identify clones by their unique TCR sequences, we were able to trace the clonal expansion, differentiation trajectory, and lineage commitment of individual virus-specific CD4 T cells during an acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection. Notably, we found previously unappreciated clonal diversity and cellular heterogeneity among virus-specific helper T cells. Interestingly, although most naive CD4 T cells gave rise to multiple lineages at the clonal level, ∼28% of naive cells exhibited a preferred lineage choice toward either Th1 or TFH cells. Mechanistically, we found that TCR structure, in particular the CDR3 motif of the TCR α chain, skewed lineage decisions toward the TFH cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achia Khatun
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Moujtaba Y. Kasmani
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Ryan Zander
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - David M. Schauder
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Jeremy P. Snook
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Jian Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Xiaopeng Wu
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Robert Burns
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Yi-Guang Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Max McGee National Research Center for Juvenile Diabetes, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Chien-Wei Lin
- Institute for Health and Equity, Division of Biostatistics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Matthew A. Williams
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Weiguo Cui
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
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15
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Tansiri Y, Sritrakul T, Saparpakorn P, Boondamnern T, Chimprasit A, Sripattanakul S, Hannongbua S, Prapong S. New potent epitopes from Leptospira borgpetersenii for the stimulation of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses: Experimental and theoretical studies. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2021.100649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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16
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A Journey to the Conformational Analysis of T-Cell Epitope Peptides Involved in Multiple Sclerosis. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10060356. [PMID: 32521758 PMCID: PMC7349157 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10060356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a serious central nervous system (CNS) disease responsible for disability problems and deterioration of the quality of life. Several approaches have been applied to medications entering the market to treat this disease. However, no effective therapy currently exists, and the available drugs simply ameliorate the destructive disability effects of the disease. In this review article, we report on the efforts that have been conducted towards establishing the conformational properties of wild-type myelin basic protein (MBP), myelin proteolipid protein (PLP), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) epitopes or altered peptide ligands (ALPs). These efforts have led to the aim of discovering some non-peptide mimetics possessing considerable activity against the disease. These efforts have contributed also to unveiling the molecular basis of the molecular interactions implicated in the trimolecular complex, T-cell receptor (TCR)–peptide–major histocompatibility complex (MHC) or human leucocyte antigen (HLA).
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17
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Yuan Y, Brouchon J, Calvo-Calle JM, Xia J, Sun L, Zhang X, Clayton KL, Ye F, Weitz DA, Heyman JA. Droplet encapsulation improves accuracy of immune cell cytokine capture assays. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:1513-1520. [PMID: 32242586 PMCID: PMC7313394 DOI: 10.1039/c9lc01261c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Quantification of cell-secreted molecules, e.g., cytokines, is fundamental to the characterization of immune responses. Cytokine capture assays that use engineered antibodies to anchor the secreted molecules to the secreting cells are widely used to characterize immune responses because they allow both sensitive identification and recovery of viable responding cells. However, if the cytokines diffuse away from the secreting cells, non-secreting cells will also be identified as responding cells. Here we encapsulate immune cells in microfluidic droplets and perform in-droplet cytokine capture assays to limit the diffusion of the secreted cytokines. We use microfluidic devices to rapidly encapsulate single natural killer NK-92 MI cells and their target K562 cells into microfluidic droplets. We perform in-droplet IFN-γ capture assays and demonstrate that NK-92 MI cells recognize target cells within droplets and become activated to secrete IFN-γ. Droplet encapsulation prevents diffusion of secreted products to neighboring cells and dramatically reduces both false positives and false negatives, relative to assays performed without droplets. In a sample containing 1% true positives, encapsulation reduces, from 94% to 2%, the number of true-positive cells appearing as negatives; in a sample containing 50% true positives, the number of non-stimulated cells appearing as positives is reduced from 98% to 1%. After cells are released from the droplets, secreted cytokine remains captured onto secreting immune cells, enabling FACS-isolation of populations highly enriched for activated effector immune cells. Droplet encapsulation can be used to reduce background and improve detection of any single-cell secretion assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yuan
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and CAS Key Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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18
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Morath A, Schamel WW. αβ and γδ T cell receptors: Similar but different. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 107:1045-1055. [DOI: 10.1002/jlb.2mr1219-233r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Morath
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
- Institute of Biology III Faculty of Biology University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
- Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM) University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
| | - Wolfgang W. Schamel
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
- Institute of Biology III Faculty of Biology University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
- Center for Chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI) Medical Center Freiburg and Faculty of Medicine University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
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19
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Papúchová H, Meissner TB, Li Q, Strominger JL, Tilburgs T. The Dual Role of HLA-C in Tolerance and Immunity at the Maternal-Fetal Interface. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2730. [PMID: 31921098 PMCID: PMC6913657 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To establish a healthy pregnancy, maternal immune cells must tolerate fetal allo-antigens and remain competent to respond to infections both systemically and in placental tissues. Extravillous trophoblasts (EVT) are the most invasive cells of extra-embryonic origin to invade uterine tissues and express polymorphic Human Leucocyte Antigen-C (HLA-C) of both maternal and paternal origin. Thus, HLA-C is a key molecule that can elicit allogeneic immune responses by maternal T and NK cells and for which maternal-fetal immune tolerance needs to be established. HLA-C is also the only classical MHC molecule expressed by EVT that can present a wide variety of peptides to maternal memory T cells and establish protective immunity. The expression of paternal HLA-C by EVT provides a target for maternal NK and T cells, whereas HLA-C expression levels may influence how this response is shaped. This dual function of HLA-C requires tight transcriptional regulation of its expression to balance induction of tolerance and immunity. Here, we critically review new insights into: (i) the mechanisms controlling expression of HLA-C by EVT, (ii) the mechanisms by which decidual NK cells, effector T cells and regulatory T cells recognize HLA-C allo-antigens, and (iii) immune recognition of pathogen derived antigens in context of HLA-C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrieta Papúchová
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Torsten B Meissner
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States.,Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Qin Li
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Jack L Strominger
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Tamara Tilburgs
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States.,Division of Immunobiology, Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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20
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Ritmahan W, Kesmir C, Vroomans RMA. Revealing factors determining immunodominant responses against dominant epitopes. Immunogenetics 2019; 72:109-118. [PMID: 31811313 PMCID: PMC6971151 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-019-01134-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Upon recognition of peptide-MHC complexes by T cell receptors (TCR), the cognate T cells expand and differentiate into effector T cells to generate protective immunity. Despite the fact that any immune response generates a diverse set of TCR clones against a particular epitope, only a few clones are highly expanded in any immune response. Previous studies observed that the highest frequency clones usually control viral infections better than subdominant clones, but the reasons for this dominance among T cell clones are still unclear. Here, we used publicly available TCR amino acid sequences to study which factors determine whether a response becomes immunodominance (ID) per donor; we classified the largest T cell clone as the epitope-specific dominant clone and all the other clones as subdominant responses (SD). We observed a distinctively hydrophobic CDR3 in ID responses against a dominant epitope from influenza A virus, compared to the SD responses. The common V-J combinations were shared between ID and SD responses, suggesting that the biased V-J recombination events are restricted by epitope specificity; thus, the immunodominance is not directly determined by a bias combination of V and J genetic segments. Our findings reveal a close similarity of global sequence properties between dominant and subdominant clones of epitope-specific responses but detectable distinctive amino acid enrichments in ID. Taken together, we believe this first comparative study of immunodominant and subdominant TCR sequences can guide further studies to resolve factors determining the immunodominance of antiviral as well as tumor-specific T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wannisa Ritmahan
- The Centre for Integrative Bioinformatics VU, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Theoretical Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Can Kesmir
- Theoretical Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Renske M A Vroomans
- Theoretical Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Institute for Advanced Study, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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21
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Li D, Li X, Zhou WL, Huang Y, Liang X, Jiang L, Yang X, Sun J, Li Z, Han WD, Wang W. Genetically engineered T cells for cancer immunotherapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2019; 4:35. [PMID: 31637014 PMCID: PMC6799837 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-019-0070-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells in the immune system protect the human body from infection by pathogens and clear mutant cells through specific recognition by T cell receptors (TCRs). Cancer immunotherapy, by relying on this basic recognition method, boosts the antitumor efficacy of T cells by unleashing the inhibition of immune checkpoints and expands adaptive immunity by facilitating the adoptive transfer of genetically engineered T cells. T cells genetically equipped with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) or TCRs have shown remarkable effectiveness in treating some hematological malignancies, although the efficacy of engineered T cells in treating solid tumors is far from satisfactory. In this review, we summarize the development of genetically engineered T cells, outline the most recent studies investigating genetically engineered T cells for cancer immunotherapy, and discuss strategies for improving the performance of these T cells in fighting cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Xue Li
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Wei-Lin Zhou
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Yong Huang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao Liang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, 610041 Chengdu, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Lin Jiang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Sun
- Department of Cell Biology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 310058 Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University & Laboratory of Stem cell and Immunotherapy Engineering, 310058 Zhejing, China
| | - Zonghai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 200032 Shanghai, China
- CARsgen Therapeutics, 200032 Shanghai, China
| | - Wei-Dong Han
- Molecular & Immunological Department, Biotherapeutic Department, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, 100853 Beijing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, 610041 Chengdu, China
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22
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Karch R, Stocsits C, Ilieva N, Schreiner W. Intramolecular Domain Movements of Free and Bound pMHC and TCR Proteins: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study. Cells 2019; 8:cells8070720. [PMID: 31337065 PMCID: PMC6678086 DOI: 10.3390/cells8070720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of antigenic peptides (p) and major histocompatibility complexes (pMHC) with T-cell receptors (TCR) is one of the most important steps during the immune response. Here we present a molecular dynamics simulation study of bound and unbound TCR and pMHC proteins of the LC13-HLA-B*44:05-pEEYLQAFTY complex to monitor differences in relative orientations and movements of domains between bound and unbound states of TCR-pMHC. We generated local coordinate systems for MHC α1- and MHC α2-helices and the variable T-cell receptor regions TCR Vα and TCR Vβ and monitored changes in the distances and mutual orientations of these domains. In comparison to unbound states, we found decreased inter-domain movements in the simulations of bound states. Moreover, increased conformational flexibility was observed for the MHC α2-helix, the peptide, and for the complementary determining regions of the TCR in TCR-unbound states as compared to TCR-bound states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudolf Karch
- Section of Biosimulation and Bioinformatics, Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics and Intelligent Systems (CeMSIIS), Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Stocsits
- Section of Biosimulation and Bioinformatics, Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics and Intelligent Systems (CeMSIIS), Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nevena Ilieva
- Institute of Information and Communication Technologies (IICT), Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Block 25A, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
- CERN-TH, Esplanade des Particules 1, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Schreiner
- Section of Biosimulation and Bioinformatics, Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics and Intelligent Systems (CeMSIIS), Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
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23
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Novel TCR-based biologics: mobilising T cells to warm 'cold' tumours. Cancer Treat Rev 2019; 77:35-43. [PMID: 31207478 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapeutic strategies have revolutionised cancer therapy in recent years, bringing meaningful improvements in outcomes for patients with previously intractable conditions. These successes have, however, been largely limited to certain types of liquid tumours and a small subset of solid tumours that are known to be particularly immunogenic. Broadening these advances across the majority of tumour indications, which are characterised by an immune-excluded, immune-deserted or immune-suppressed ('cold') phenotype, will require alternative approaches that are able to specifically address this unique biological environment. Several newer therapeutic modalities, including adoptive cell therapy and T cell redirecting bispecific molecules, are considered to hold particular promise and are being investigated in early phase clinical trials across various solid tumour indications. ImmTAC molecules are a novel class of T cell redirecting bispecific biologics that exploit TCR-based targeting of tumour cells; providing potent and highly specific access to the vast landscape of intracellular targets. The first of these reagents to reach the clinic, tebentafusp (IMCgp100), has generated demonstrable clinical efficacy in an immunologically cold solid tumour with a high unmet need. Here, we highlight the key elements of the ImmTAC platform that make it ideally positioned to overcome the cold tumour microenvironment in an off-the-shelf format.
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24
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Cohn M, Anderson CC, Dembic Z. The case for allele-specific recognition by the TCR. Scand J Immunol 2019; 90:e12790. [PMID: 31127959 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
There is a sharp difference in how one views TCR structure-function-behaviour dependent on whether its recognition of major histocompatibility complex-encoded restriction elements (R) is germline selected or somatically generated. The generally accepted or Standard model is built on the assumption that recognition of R is by the V regions of the αβ TCR, which is not driven by allele specificity, whereas the competing model posits that recognition of R is allele-specific. The establishing of allele-specific recognition of R by the TCR would rule out the Standard model and clear the road to a consideration of a competing construct, the Tritope model. Here, the case for allele-specific recognition (germline selected) is detailed making it obvious that the Standard model is untenable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvin Cohn
- Conceptual Immunology Group, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California
| | - Colin C Anderson
- Department of Surgery, Alberta Diabetes & Transplant Institutes, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Zlatko Dembic
- Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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25
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Riley TP, Baker BM. The intersection of affinity and specificity in the development and optimization of T cell receptor based therapeutics. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 84:30-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 10/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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26
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Systematically benchmarking peptide-MHC binding predictors: From synthetic to naturally processed epitopes. PLoS Comput Biol 2018; 14:e1006457. [PMID: 30408041 PMCID: PMC6224037 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of machine learning-based predictors have been developed for identifying immunogenic T-cell epitopes based on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II binding affinities. Rationally selecting the most appropriate tool has been complicated by the evolving training data and machine learning methods. Despite the recent advances made in generating high-quality MHC-eluted, naturally processed ligandome, the reliability of new predictors on these epitopes has yet to be evaluated. This study reports the latest benchmarking on an extensive set of MHC-binding predictors by using newly available, untested data of both synthetic and naturally processed epitopes. 32 human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and 24 HLA class II alleles are included in the blind test set. Artificial neural network (ANN)-based approaches demonstrated better performance than regression-based machine learning and structural modeling. Among the 18 predictors benchmarked, ANN-based mhcflurry and nn_align perform the best for MHC class I 9-mer and class II 15-mer predictions, respectively, on binding/non-binding classification (Area Under Curves = 0.911). NetMHCpan4 also demonstrated comparable predictive power. Our customization of mhcflurry to a pan-HLA predictor has achieved similar accuracy to NetMHCpan. The overall accuracy of these methods are comparable between 9-mer and 10-mer testing data. However, the top methods deliver low correlations between the predicted versus the experimental affinities for strong MHC binders. When used on naturally processed MHC-ligands, tools that have been trained on elution data (NetMHCpan4 and MixMHCpred) shows better accuracy than pure binding affinity predictor. The variability of false prediction rate is considerable among HLA types and datasets. Finally, structure-based predictor of Rosetta FlexPepDock is less optimal compared to the machine learning approaches. With our benchmarking of MHC-binding and MHC-elution predictors using a comprehensive metrics, a unbiased view for establishing best practice of T-cell epitope predictions is presented, facilitating future development of methods in immunogenomics.
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27
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Kajikawa M, Ose T, Fukunaga Y, Okabe Y, Matsumoto N, Yonezawa K, Shimizu N, Kollnberger S, Kasahara M, Maenaka K. Structure of MHC class I-like MILL2 reveals heparan-sulfate binding and interdomain flexibility. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4330. [PMID: 30337538 PMCID: PMC6193965 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06797-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The MILL family, composed of MILL1 and MILL2, is a group of nonclassical MHC class I molecules that occur in some orders of mammals. It has been reported that mouse MILL2 is involved in wound healing; however, the molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we determine the crystal structure of MILL2 at 2.15 Å resolution, revealing an organization similar to classical MHC class I. However, the α1-α2 domains are not tightly fixed on the α3-β2m domains, indicating unusual interdomain flexibility. The groove between the two helices in the α1-α2 domains is too narrow to permit ligand binding. Notably, an unusual basic patch on the α3 domain is involved in the binding to heparan sulfate which is essential for MILL2 interactions with fibroblasts. These findings suggest that MILL2 has a unique structural architecture and physiological role, with binding to heparan sulfate proteoglycans on fibroblasts possibly regulating cellular recruitment in biological events. The MILL (MHC-I-like located near the leukocyte receptor complex) family is a group of related nonclassical MHC-I molecules. Here the authors present the crystal structure of MILL2, which reveals an unusual interdomain flexibility, and show that MILL2 binds heparan sulfate on the surface of fibroblasts through a basic patch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mizuho Kajikawa
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Showa Pharmaceutical University, Machida, Tokyo, 190-8543, Japan.,Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Toyoyuki Ose
- Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Yuko Fukunaga
- Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yuki Okabe
- Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.,Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan
| | - Naoki Matsumoto
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8562, Japan
| | - Kento Yonezawa
- Photon Factory, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0801, Japan
| | - Nobutaka Shimizu
- Photon Factory, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0801, Japan
| | - Simon Kollnberger
- Cardiff Institute of Infection & Immunity, University of Cardiff, Henry Wellcome Building, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
| | - Masanori Kasahara
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Katsumi Maenaka
- Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan. .,Laboratory of Biomolecular Science, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0812, Japan.
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28
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Brucella Peptide Cross-Reactive Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Presentation Activates SIINFEKL-Specific T Cell Receptor-Expressing T Cells. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00281-18. [PMID: 29735518 PMCID: PMC6013681 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00281-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucella spp. are intracellular pathogenic bacteria remarkable in their ability to escape immune surveillance and therefore inflict a state of chronic disease within the host. To enable further immune response studies, Brucella was engineered to express the well-characterized chicken ovalbumin (OVA). Surprisingly, we found that CD8 T cells bearing T cell receptors (TCR) nominally specific for the OVA peptide SIINFEKL (OT-1) reacted to parental Brucella-infected targets as well as OVA-expressing Brucella variants in cytotoxicity assays. Furthermore, splenocytes from Brucella-immunized mice produced gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and exhibited cytotoxicity in response to SIINFEKL-pulsed target cells.To determine if the SIINFEKL-reactive OT-1 TCR could be cross-reacting to Brucella peptides, we searched the Brucella proteome using an algorithm to generate a list of near-neighbor nonamer peptides that would bind to H2Kb. Selecting five Brucella peptide candidates, along with controls, we verified that several of these peptides mimicked SIINFEKL, resulting in T cell activation through the “SIINFEKL-specific” TCR. Activation was dependent on peptide concentration as well as sequence. Our results underscore the complexity and ubiquity of cross-reactivity in T cell recognition. This cross-reactivity may enable microbes such as Brucella to escape immune surveillance by presenting peptides similar to those of the host and may also lead to the activation of autoreactive T cells.
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29
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Callahan BM, Yavorski JM, Tu YN, Tong WL, Kinskey JC, Clark KR, Fawcett TJ, Blanck G. T-cell receptor-β V and J usage, in combination with particular HLA class I and class II alleles, correlates with cancer survival patterns. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2018; 67:885-892. [PMID: 29508024 PMCID: PMC11028132 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-018-2139-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Class I and class II HLA proteins, respectively, have been associated with subsets of V(D)J usage resulting from recombination of the T-cell receptor (TCR) genes. Additionally, particular HLA alleles, in combination with dominant TCR V(D)J recombinations, have been associated with several autoimmune diseases. The recovery of TCR recombination reads from tumor specimen exome files has allowed rapid and extensive assessments of V(D)J usage, likely for cancer resident T-cells, across relatively large cancer datasets. The results from this approach, in this report, have permitted an extensive alignment of TCR-β VDJ usage and HLA class I and II alleles. Results indicate the correlation of both better and worse cancer survival rates with particular TCR-β, V and J usage-HLA allele combinations, with differences in median survival times ranging from 7 to 130 months, depending on the cancer and the specific TCR-β V and J usage/HLA class allele combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake M Callahan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Bd. MDC7, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - John M Yavorski
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Bd. MDC7, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Yaping N Tu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Bd. MDC7, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Wei Lue Tong
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Bd. MDC7, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Jacob C Kinskey
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Bd. MDC7, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Kendall R Clark
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Bd. MDC7, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | | | - George Blanck
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Bd. MDC7, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
- Immunology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.
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30
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Tilburgs T, Meissner TB, Ferreira LMR, Mulder A, Musunuru K, Ye J, Strominger JL. NLRP2 is a suppressor of NF-ƙB signaling and HLA-C expression in human trophoblasts†,‡. Biol Reprod 2018; 96:831-842. [PMID: 28340094 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
During pregnancy, fetal extravillous trophoblasts (EVT) play a key role in the regulation of maternal T cell and NK cell responses. EVT display a unique combination of human leukocyte antigens (HLA); EVT do not express HLA-A and HLA-B, but do express HLA-C, HLA-E, and HLA-G. The mechanisms establishing this unique HLA expression pattern have not been fully elucidated. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II transcriptional activators NLRC5 and CIITA are expressed neither by EVT nor by the EVT model cell line JEG3, which has an MHC expression pattern identical to that of EVT. Therefore, other MHC regulators must be present to control HLA-C, HLA-E, and HLA-G expression in these cells. CIITA and NLRC5 are both members of the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat (NLR) family of proteins. Another member of this family, NLRP2, is highly expressed by EVT and JEG3, but not in maternal decidual stromal cells. In this study, transcription activator-like effector nuclease technology was used to delete NLRP2 in JEG3. Furthermore, lentiviral delivery of shRNA was used to knockdown NLRP2 in JEG3 and primary EVT. Upon NLRP2 deletion, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNFα)-induced phosphorylation of NF-KB p65 increased in JEG3 and EVT, and more surprisingly a significant increase in constitutive HLA-C expression was observed in JEG3. These data suggest a broader role for NLR family members in the regulation of MHC expression during inflammation, thus forming a bridge between innate and adaptive immune responses. As suppressor of proinflammatory responses, NLRP2 may contribute to preventing unwanted antifetal responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Tilburgs
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Torsten B Meissner
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Leonardo M R Ferreira
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Arend Mulder
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Kiran Musunuru
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Junqiang Ye
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jack L Strominger
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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31
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Abstract
Recent progress in both conceptual and technological approaches to human immunology have rejuvenated a field that has long been in the shadow of the inbred mouse model. This is a healthy development both for the clinical relevance of immunology and for the fact that it is a way to gain access to the wealth of phenomenology in the many human diseases that involve the immune system. This is where we are likely to discover new immunological mechanisms and principals, especially those involving genetic heterogeneity or environmental influences that are difficult to model effectively in inbred mice. We also suggest that there are likely to be novel immunological mechanisms in long-lived, less fecund mammals such as human beings since they must remain healthy far longer than short-lived rodents in order for the species to survive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark M Davis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the Institute for Immunity, Transplantation and Infection, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA;
| | - Petter Brodin
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17121 Solna, Sweden.,Department of Neonatology, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176 Solna, Sweden
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32
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Ahmed M, Lopez-Albaitero A, Pankov D, Santich BH, Liu H, Yan S, Xiang J, Wang P, Hasan AN, Selvakumar A, O'Reilly RJ, Liu C, Cheung NKV. TCR-mimic bispecific antibodies targeting LMP2A show potent activity against EBV malignancies. JCI Insight 2018; 3:97805. [PMID: 29467338 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.97805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
EBV infection is associated with a number of malignancies of clinical unmet need, including Hodgkin lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, gastric cancer, and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), all of which express the EBV protein latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A), an antigen that is difficult to target by conventional antibody approaches. To overcome this, we utilized phage display technology and a structure-guided selection strategy to generate human T cell receptor-like (TCR-like) monoclonal antibodies with exquisite specificity for the LMP2A-derived nonamer peptide, C426LGGLLTMV434 (CLG), as presented on HLA-A*02:01. Our lead construct, clone 38, closely mimics the native binding mode of a TCR, recognizing residues at position P3-P8 of the CLG peptide. To enhance antitumor potency, we constructed dimeric T cell engaging bispecific antibodies (DiBsAb) of clone 38 and an affinity-matured version clone 38-2. Both DiBsAb showed potent antitumor properties in vitro and in immunodeficient mice implanted with EBV transformed B lymphoblastoid cell lines and human T cell effectors. Clone 38 DiBsAb showed a stronger safety profile compared with its affinity-matured variant, with no activity against EBV- tumor cell lines and a panel of normal tissues, and was less cross-reactive against HLA-A*02:01 cells pulsed with a panel of CLG-like peptides predicted from a proteomic analysis. Clone 38 was also shown to recognize the CLG peptide on other HLA-A*02 suballeles, including HLA-A*02:02, HLA-A*02:04, and HLA-A*02:06, allowing for its potential use in additional populations. Clone 38 DiBsAb is a lead candidate to treat EBV malignancies with one of the strongest safety profiles documented for TCR-like mAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahiuddin Ahmed
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andres Lopez-Albaitero
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dmitry Pankov
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Brian H Santich
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hong Liu
- Eureka Therapeutics, Emeryville, California, USA
| | - Su Yan
- Eureka Therapeutics, Emeryville, California, USA
| | - Jingyi Xiang
- Eureka Therapeutics, Emeryville, California, USA
| | - Pei Wang
- Eureka Therapeutics, Emeryville, California, USA
| | - Aisha N Hasan
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Annamalai Selvakumar
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Richard J O'Reilly
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Cheng Liu
- Eureka Therapeutics, Emeryville, California, USA
| | - Nai-Kong V Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
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33
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Traver MK, Paul S, Schaefer BC. T Cell Receptor Activation of NF-κB in Effector T Cells: Visualizing Signaling Events Within and Beyond the Cytoplasmic Domain of the Immunological Synapse. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1584:101-127. [PMID: 28255699 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6881-7_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The T cell receptor (TCR) to NF-κB signaling pathway plays a critical role in regulation of proliferation and effector T cell differentiation and function. In naïve T cells, data suggest that most or all key cytoplasmic NF-κB signaling occurs in a TCR-proximal manner at the immunological synapse (IS). However, the subcellular organization of cytoplasmic NF-κB-activating complexes in effector T cells is more complex, involving signaling molecules and regulatory mechanisms beyond those operative in naïve cells. Additionally, in effector T cells, much signaling occurs at cytoplasmic locations distant from the IS. Visualization of these cytoplasmic signaling complexes has provided key insights into the complex and dynamic regulation of NF-κB signal transduction in effector T cells. In this chapter, we provide in-depth protocols for activating and preparing effector T cells for fluorescence imaging, as well as a discussion of the effective application of distinct imaging methodologies, including confocal and super-resolution microscopy and imaging flow cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria K Traver
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.,Henry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, 20817, USA
| | - Suman Paul
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA
| | - Brian C Schaefer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA. .,Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
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34
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Tu YN, Tong WL, Samy MD, Yavorski JM, Kim M, Blanck G. Assessing microenvironment immunogenicity using tumor specimen exomes: Co-detection of TcR-α/β V(D)J recombinations correlates with PD-1 expression. Int J Cancer 2017; 140:2568-2576. [DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yaping N. Tu
- Department of Molecular Medicine; Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida; Tampa FL
| | - Wei Lue Tong
- Department of Molecular Medicine; Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida; Tampa FL
| | - Mohammad D. Samy
- Department of Molecular Medicine; Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida; Tampa FL
| | - John M. Yavorski
- Department of Molecular Medicine; Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida; Tampa FL
| | - Minjung Kim
- Department of Molecular Oncology; H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute; Tampa FL
| | - George Blanck
- Department of Molecular Medicine; Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida; Tampa FL
- Immunology Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute; Tampa FL
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35
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Li J, Zhang Y, Song Y, Zhang H, Fan J, Li Q, Zhang D, Xue Y. Electrostatic potentials of the S-locus F-box proteins contribute to the pollen S specificity in self-incompatibility in Petunia hybrida. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 89:45-57. [PMID: 27569591 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.13318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Self-incompatibility (SI) is a self/non-self discrimination system found widely in angiosperms and, in many species, is controlled by a single polymorphic S-locus. In the Solanaceae, Rosaceae and Plantaginaceae, the S-locus encodes a single S-RNase and a cluster of S-locus F-box (SLF) proteins to control the pistil and pollen expression of SI, respectively. Previous studies have shown that their cytosolic interactions determine their recognition specificity, but the physical force between their interactions remains unclear. In this study, we show that the electrostatic potentials of SLF contribute to the pollen S specificity through a physical mechanism of 'like charges repel and unlike charges attract' between SLFs and S-RNases in Petunia hybrida. Strikingly, the alteration of a single C-terminal amino acid of SLF reversed its surface electrostatic potentials and subsequently the pollen S specificity. Collectively, our results reveal that the electrostatic potentials act as a major physical force between cytosolic SLFs and S-RNases, providing a mechanistic insight into the self/non-self discrimination between cytosolic proteins in angiosperms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Yanzhai Song
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Jiangbo Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Qun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Dongfen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yongbiao Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Beijing, 100101, China
- Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
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36
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Zhao J, Nussinov R, Ma B. Allosteric control of antibody-prion recognition through oxidation of a disulfide bond between the CH and CL chains. Protein Eng Des Sel 2017; 30:67-76. [PMID: 27899437 PMCID: PMC5157118 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzw065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Revised: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular details of the recognition of disordered antigens by their cognate antibodies have not been studied as extensively as folded protein antigens and much is still unknown. To follow the conformational changes in the antibody and cross-talk between its subunits and with antigens, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the complex of Fab and prion-associated peptide in the apo and bound forms. We observed that the inter-chain disulfide bond in constant domains restrains the conformational changes of Fab, especially the loops in the CH1 domain, resulting in inhibition of the cross-talk between Fab subdomains that thereby may prevent prion peptide binding. We further identified several negative and positive correlations of motions between the peptide and Fab constant domains, which suggested structural cross-talks between the constant domains and the antigen. The cross-talk was influenced by the inter-chain disulfide bond, which reduced the number of paths between them. Importantly, network analysis of the complex and its bound water molecules observed that those water molecules form an integral part of the Fab/peptide complex network and potential allosteric pathways. On-going work focuses on developing strategies aimed to incorporate these new network communications-including the associated water molecules-toward the grand challenge of antibody design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhao
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Ruth Nussinov
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Cancer and Inflammation Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Sackler Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Buyong Ma
- Basic Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Cancer and Inflammation Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
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37
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Ma Y, Cheng L, Yuan B, Zhang Y, Zhang C, Zhang Y, Tang K, Zhuang R, Chen L, Yang K, Zhang F, Jin B. Structure and Function of HLA-A*02-Restricted Hantaan Virus Cytotoxic T-Cell Epitope That Mediates Effective Protective Responses in HLA-A2.1/K(b) Transgenic Mice. Front Immunol 2016; 7:298. [PMID: 27551282 PMCID: PMC4976285 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hantavirus infections cause severe emerging diseases in humans and are associated with high mortality rates; therefore, they have become a global public health concern. Our previous study showed that the CD8(+) T-cell epitope aa129-aa137 (FVVPILLKA, FA9) of the Hantaan virus (HTNV) nucleoprotein (NP), restricted by human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*02, induced specific CD8(+) T-cell responses that controlled HTNV infection in humans. However, the in vivo immunogenicity of peptide FA9 and the effect of FA9-specific CD8(+) T-cell immunity remain unclear. Here, based on a detailed structural analysis of the peptide FA9/HLA-A*0201 complex and functional investigations using HLA-A2.1/K(b) transgenic (Tg) mice, we found that the overall structure of the peptide FA9/HLA-A*0201 complex displayed a typical MHC class I fold with Val2 and Ala9 as primary anchor residues and Val3 and Leu7 as secondary anchor residues that allow peptide FA9 to bind tightly with an HLA-A*0201 molecule. Residues in the middle portion of peptide FA9 extruding out of the binding groove may be the sites that allow for recognition by T-cell receptors. Immunization with peptide FA9 in HLA-A2.1/K(b) Tg mice induced FA9-specific cytotoxic T-cell responses characterized by the induction of high expression levels of interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, granzyme B, and CD107a. In an HTNV challenge trial, significant reductions in the levels of both the antigens and the HTNV RNA loads were observed in the liver, spleen, and kidneys of Tg mice pre-vaccinated with peptide FA9. Thus, our findings highlight the ability of HTNV epitope-specific CD8(+) T-cell immunity to control HTNV and support the possibility that the HTNV-NP FA9 peptide, naturally processed in vivo in an HLA-A*02-restriction manner, may be a good candidate for the development HTNV peptide vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Ma
- Department of Immunology, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China
| | - Linfeng Cheng
- Department of Microbiology, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China
| | - Bin Yuan
- Institute of Orthopaedics of Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China
| | - Yusi Zhang
- Department of Immunology, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China
| | - Chunmei Zhang
- Department of Immunology, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Department of Immunology, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China
| | - Kang Tang
- Department of Immunology, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China
| | - Ran Zhuang
- Department of Immunology, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China
| | - Lihua Chen
- Department of Immunology, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China
| | - Kun Yang
- Department of Immunology, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China
| | - Fanglin Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China
| | - Boquan Jin
- Department of Immunology, The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China
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38
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Molecular dynamics at the receptor level of immunodominant myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 epitope implicated in multiple sclerosis. J Mol Graph Model 2016; 68:78-86. [PMID: 27388119 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2016.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a common autoimmune disease whereby myelin is destroyed by the immune system. The disease is triggered by the stimulation of encephalitogenic T-cells via the formation of a trimolecular complex between the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA), an immunodominant epitope of myelin proteins and T-cell Receptor (TCR). Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG) is located on the external surface of myelin and has been implicated in MS induction. The immunodominant 35-55 epitope of MOG is widely used for in vivo biological evaluation and immunological studies that are related with chronic Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE, animal model of MS), inflammatory diseases and MS. In this report, Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations were used to explore the interactions of MOG35-55 at the receptor level. A detailed mapping of the developed interactions during the creation of the trimolecular complex is reported. This is the first attempt to gain an understanding of the molecular recognition of the MOG35-55 epitope by the HLA and TCR receptors. During the formation of the trimolecular complex, the residues Arg(41) and Arg(46) of MOG35-55 have been confirmed to serve as TCR anchors while Tyr(40) interacts with HLA. The present structural findings indicate that the Arg at positions 41 and 46 is a key residue for the stimulation of the encephalitogenic T-cells.
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39
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Malek Abrahimians E, Vander Elst L, Carlier VA, Saint-Remy JM. Thioreductase-Containing Epitopes Inhibit the Development of Type 1 Diabetes in the NOD Mouse Model. Front Immunol 2016; 7:67. [PMID: 26973647 PMCID: PMC4773585 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoreactive CD4+ T cells recognizing islet-derived antigens play a primary role in type 1 diabetes. Specific suppression of such cells therefore represents a strategic target for the cure of the disease. We have developed a methodology by which CD4+ T cells acquire apoptosis-inducing properties on antigen-presenting cells after cognate recognition of natural sequence epitopes. We describe here that inclusion of a thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase (thioreductase) motif within the flanking residues of a single MHC class II-restricted GAD65 epitope induces GAD65-specific cytolytic CD4+ T cells (cCD4+ T). The latter, obtained either in vitro or by active immunization, acquire an effector memory phenotype and lyse APCs by a Fas–FasL interaction. Furthermore, cCD4+ T cells eliminate by apoptosis activated bystander CD4+ T cells recognizing alternative epitopes processed by the same APC. Active immunization with a GAD65 class II-restricted thioreductase-containing T cell epitope protects mice from diabetes and abrogates insulitis. Passive transfer of in vitro-elicited cCD4+ T cells establishes that such cells are efficient in suppressing autoimmunity. These findings provide strong evidence for a new vaccination strategy to prevent type 1 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elin Malek Abrahimians
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; ImCyse SA, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Luc Vander Elst
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; ImCyse SA, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Vincent A Carlier
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; ImCyse SA, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-Marie Saint-Remy
- Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; ImCyse SA, Leuven, Belgium
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40
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Kajita MK, Yokota R, Aihara K, Kobayashi TJ. Experimental and theoretical bases for mechanisms of antigen discrimination by T cells. Biophysics (Nagoya-shi) 2015; 11:85-92. [PMID: 27493520 PMCID: PMC4736787 DOI: 10.2142/biophysics.11.85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Interaction only within specific molecules is a requisite for accurate operations of a biochemical reaction in a cell where bulk of background molecules exist. While structural specificity is a well-established mechanism for specific interaction, biophysical and biochemical experiments indicate that the mechanism is not sufficient for accounting for the antigen discrimination by T cells. In addition, the antigen discrimination by T cells also accompanies three intriguing properties other than the specificity: sensitivity, speed, and concentration compensation. In this work, we review experimental and theoretical works on the antigen discrimination by focusing on these four properties and show future directions towards understanding of the fundamental principle for molecular discrimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi K Kajita
- Department of Mathematical Informatics, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Ryo Yokota
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Aihara
- Department of Mathematical Informatics, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan; Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Tetsuya J Kobayashi
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
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41
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Madura F, Rizkallah PJ, Holland CJ, Fuller A, Bulek A, Godkin AJ, Schauenburg AJ, Cole DK, Sewell AK. Structural basis for ineffective T-cell responses to MHC anchor residue-improved "heteroclitic" peptides. Eur J Immunol 2015; 45:584-91. [PMID: 25471691 PMCID: PMC4357396 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201445114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2014] [Revised: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
MHC anchor residue-modified "heteroclitic" peptides have been used in many cancer vaccine trials and often induce greater immune responses than the wild-type peptide. The best-studied system to date is the decamer MART-1/Melan-A26-35 peptide, EAAGIGILTV, where the natural alanine at position 2 has been modified to leucine to improve human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*0201 anchoring. The resulting ELAGIGILTV peptide has been used in many studies. We recently showed that T cells primed with the ELAGIGILTV peptide can fail to recognize the natural tumor-expressed peptide efficiently, thereby providing a potential molecular reason for why clinical trials of this peptide have been unsuccessful. Here, we solved the structure of a TCR in complex with HLA-A*0201-EAAGIGILTV peptide and compared it with its heteroclitic counterpart , HLA-A*0201-ELAGIGILTV. The data demonstrate that a suboptimal anchor residue at position 2 enables the TCR to "pull" the peptide away from the MHC binding groove, facilitating extra contacts with both the peptide and MHC surface. These data explain how a TCR can distinguish between two epitopes that differ by only a single MHC anchor residue and demonstrate how weak MHC anchoring can enable an induced-fit interaction with the TCR. Our findings constitute a novel demonstration of the extreme sensitivity of the TCR to minor alterations in peptide conformation.
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MESH Headings
- Alanine/chemistry
- Alanine/genetics
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Amino Acid Substitution
- Crystallography, X-Ray
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/genetics
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/metabolism
- Escherichia coli/genetics
- Escherichia coli/metabolism
- Gene Expression
- HLA-A2 Antigen/chemistry
- HLA-A2 Antigen/genetics
- HLA-A2 Antigen/immunology
- Humans
- Leucine/chemistry
- Leucine/genetics
- MART-1 Antigen/chemistry
- MART-1 Antigen/genetics
- MART-1 Antigen/immunology
- Models, Molecular
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Peptides/chemistry
- Peptides/genetics
- Peptides/immunology
- Protein Binding
- Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/chemistry
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/immunology
- Recombinant Proteins/chemistry
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/cytology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Madura
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of MedicineHeath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Pierre J Rizkallah
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of MedicineHeath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Christopher J Holland
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of MedicineHeath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Anna Fuller
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of MedicineHeath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Anna Bulek
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of MedicineHeath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Andrew J Godkin
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of MedicineHeath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Andrea J Schauenburg
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of MedicineHeath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - David K Cole
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of MedicineHeath Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Andrew K Sewell
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of MedicineHeath Park, Cardiff, UK
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Estorninho M, Gibson VB, Kronenberg-Versteeg D, Liu YF, Ni C, Cerosaletti K, Peakman M. A Novel Approach to Tracking Antigen-Experienced CD4 T Cells into Functional Compartments via Tandem Deep and Shallow TCR Clonotyping. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 191:5430-40. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1300622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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43
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Liu B, Zhong S, Malecek K, Johnson LA, Rosenberg SA, Zhu C, Krogsgaard M. 2D TCR-pMHC-CD8 kinetics determines T-cell responses in a self-antigen-specific TCR system. Eur J Immunol 2013; 44:239-50. [PMID: 24114747 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201343774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2013] [Revised: 08/15/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2D) kinetic analysis directly measures molecular interactions at cell-cell junctions, thereby incorporating inherent cellular effects. By comparison, three-dimensional (3D) analysis probes the intrinsic physical chemistry of interacting molecules isolated from the cell. To understand how T-cell tumor reactivity relates to 2D and 3D binding parameters and to directly compare them, we performed kinetic analyses of a panel of human T-cell receptors (TCRs) interacting with a melanoma self-antigen peptide (gp100209 -217 ) bound to peptide-major histocompatibility complex in the absence and presence of co-receptor CD8. We found that while 3D parameters are inadequate to predict T-cell function, 2D parameters (that do not correlate with their 3D counterparts) show a far broader dynamic range and significantly improved correlation with T-cell function. Thus, our data support the general notion that 2D parameters of TCR-peptide-major histocompatibility complex-CD8 interactions determine T-cell responsiveness and suggest a potential 2D-based strategy to screen TCRs for tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyu Liu
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
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44
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Abstract
Background The adaptive immune response is antigen-specific and triggered by pathogen recognition through T cells. Although the interactions and mechanisms of TCR-peptide-MHC (TCR-pMHC) have been studied over three decades, the biological basis for these processes remains controversial. As an increasing number of high-throughput binding epitopes and available TCR-pMHC complex structures, a fast genome-wide structural modelling of TCR-pMHC interactions is an emergent task for understanding immune interactions and developing peptide vaccines. Results We first constructed the PPI matrices and iMatrix, using 621 non-redundant PPI interfaces and 398 non-redundant antigen-antibody interfaces, respectively, for modelling the MHC-peptide and TCR-peptide interfaces, respectively. The iMatrix consists of four knowledge-based scoring matrices to evaluate the hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces between sidechains or backbones, respectively. The predicted energies of iMatrix are high correlated (Pearson's correlation coefficient is 0.6) to 70 experimental free energies on antigen-antibody interfaces. To further investigate iMatrix and PPI matrices, we inferred the 701,897 potential peptide antigens with significant statistic from 389 pathogen genomes and modelled the TCR-pMHC interactions using available TCR-pMHC complex structures. These identified peptide antigens keep hydrogen-bond energies and consensus interactions and our TCR-pMHC models can provide detailed interacting models and crucial binding regions. Conclusions Experimental results demonstrate that our method can achieve high precision for predicting binding affinity and potential peptide antigens. We believe that iMatrix and our template-based method can be useful for the binding mechanisms of TCR-pMHC complexes and peptide vaccine designs.
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Boucherma R, Kridane-Miledi H, Bouziat R, Rasmussen M, Gatard T, Langa-Vives F, Lemercier B, Lim A, Bérard M, Benmohamed L, Buus S, Rooke R, Lemonnier FA. HLA-A*01:03, HLA-A*24:02, HLA-B*08:01, HLA-B*27:05, HLA-B*35:01, HLA-B*44:02, and HLA-C*07:01 monochain transgenic/H-2 class I null mice: novel versatile preclinical models of human T cell responses. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 191:583-93. [PMID: 23776170 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1300483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We have generated a panel of transgenic mice expressing HLA-A*01:03, -A*24:02, -B*08:01, -B*27:05, -B*35:01, -B*44:02, or -C*07:01 as chimeric monochain molecules (i.e., appropriate HLA α1α2 H chain domains fused with a mouse α3 domain and covalently linked to human β2-microglobulin). Whereas surface expression of several transgenes was markedly reduced in recipient mice that coexpressed endogenous H-2 class I molecules, substantial surface expression of all human transgenes was observed in mice lacking H-2 class I molecules. In these HLA monochain transgenic/H-2 class I null mice, we observed a quantitative and qualitative restoration of the peripheral CD8(+) T cell repertoire, which exhibited a TCR diversity comparable with C57BL/6 WT mice. Potent epitope-specific, HLA-restricted, IFN-γ-producing CD8(+) T cell responses were generated against known reference T cell epitopes after either peptide or DNA immunization. HLA-wise, these new transgenic strains encompass a large proportion of individuals from all major human races and ethnicities. In combination with the previously created HLA-A*02:01 and -B*07:02 transgenic mice, the novel HLA transgenic mice described in this report should be a versatile preclinical animal model that will speed up the identification and optimization of HLA-restricted CD8(+) T cell epitopes of potential interest in various autoimmune human diseases and in preclinical evaluation of T cell-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachid Boucherma
- INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, Equipe Immunologie du Diabète, Hôpital Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, 75674 Paris, Cedex 14, France
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46
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Hischenhuber B, Havlicek H, Todoric J, Höllrigl-Binder S, Schreiner W, Knapp B. Differential geometric analysis of alterations in MH α-helices. J Comput Chem 2013; 34:1862-79. [PMID: 23703160 PMCID: PMC3739936 DOI: 10.1002/jcc.23328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2013] [Revised: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 04/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Antigen presenting cells present processed peptides via their major histocompatibility (MH) complex to the T cell receptors (TRs) of T cells. If a peptide is immunogenic, a signaling cascade can be triggered within the T cell. However, the binding of different peptides and/or different TRs to MH is also known to influence the spatial arrangement of the MH α-helices which could itself be an additional level of T cell regulation. In this study, we introduce a new methodology based on differential geometric parameters to describe MH deformations in a detailed and comparable way. For this purpose, we represent MH α-helices by curves. On the basis of these curves, we calculate in a first step the curvature and torsion to describe each α-helix independently. In a second step, we calculate the distribution parameter and the conical curvature of the ruled surface to describe the relative orientation of the two α-helices. On the basis of four different test sets, we show how these differential geometric parameters can be used to describe changes in the spatial arrangement of the MH α-helices for different biological challenges. In the first test set, we illustrate on the basis of all available crystal structures for (TR)/pMH complexes how the binding of TRs influences the MH helices. In the second test set, we show a cross evaluation of different MH alleles with the same peptide and the same MH allele with different peptides. In the third test set, we present the spatial effects of different TRs on the same peptide/MH complex. In the fourth test set, we illustrate how a severe conformational change in an α-helix can be described quantitatively. Taken together, we provide a novel structural methodology to numerically describe subtle and severe alterations in MH α-helices for a broad range of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Hischenhuber
- Center for Medical Statistics, Informatics, and Intelligent Systems, Section for Biosimulation and Bioinformatics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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47
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Tilburgs T, Strominger JL. CD8+ effector T cells at the fetal-maternal interface, balancing fetal tolerance and antiviral immunity. Am J Reprod Immunol 2013; 69:395-407. [PMID: 23432707 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2012] [Accepted: 01/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
During pregnancy CD8+ effector T cells need optimal immune regulation to prevent a detrimental response to allogeneic fetal cells while providing immune protection to infections. A significant proportion of (prospective) mothers carry naïve or memory CD8+ T cells with a TCR that can directly bind to paternal MHC molecules. In addition, a high percentage of pregnant women develop specific T cell responses to fetal minor histocompatibility antigens (mHags). Under normal conditions, fetal-maternal MHC and mHag mismatches lead to elevated lymphocyte activation but do not induce pregnancy failure. Furthermore, viral infections alter the maternal CD8+ T cell response by changing the CD8+ T cell repertoire and increasing the influx of CD8+ T cells to decidual tissue. The normally high T cell activation threshold at the fetal-maternal interface may prevent efficient clearance of viral infections. Conversely, the increased inflammatory response due to viral infections may break fetal-maternal tolerance and lead to pregnancy complications. The aim of this review is to discuss the recent studies of CD8+ T cells in pregnancy, identify potential mechanisms for antigen-specific immune recognition of fetal extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells by CD8+ T cells, and discuss the impact of viral infections and virus-specific CD8+ T cells during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Tilburgs
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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48
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Bhanusali DG, Sachdev A, Rahmanian A, Gerlach JA, Tong JC, Seiffert-Sinha K, Sinha AA. HLA-E*0103X is associated with susceptibility to Pemphigus vulgaris. Exp Dermatol 2013; 22:108-12. [PMID: 23362868 DOI: 10.1111/exd.12077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Non-classical human leucocyte antigen-E (HLA-E) mediates natural killer and CD8+ T-cell activity, suggesting a role in the regulation of autoimmunity. HLA-E*0103X/*0103X has been associated with Behcet's disease and HLA-E *0101/*0103X with childhood onset diabetes. We investigated HLA-E allele status in 52 Caucasian and Ashkenazi Jewish Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) patients and 51 healthy controls by restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction and amplification refractory mutation system. Associations were determined via chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and logistical regression analysis. HLA-E outcomes included presumed homozygous *0101/*0101 or *0103X/*0103X genotype status or *0101/*0103X heterozygous status. PV did not significantly associate with either *0101/*0101 or *0101/*0103X genotypes. HLA-E*0103X/*0103X (presumed homozygote) is significantly increased in patients with PV versus controls (P = 0.0146, OR = 3.730, 95%CI = 1.241-11.213). Our data provide the first evidence that HLA-E*0103X is a marker for genetic risk in PV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhaval G Bhanusali
- Department of Dermatology, University at Buffalo and Roswell Park Cancer Institute, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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49
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A similarity in peptide cross-reactivity between alloantigen- and nominal antigen-induced CD8+ T cell responses in vitro. Immunogenetics 2012; 65:173-84. [PMID: 23233149 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-012-0668-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2012] [Accepted: 11/12/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Raising tumor-specific allorestricted T cells in vitro for adoptive transfusion is expected to circumvent host tumor tolerance. However, it has been assumed that alloreactive T cell clones activated in vitro ranges from peptide-specific with high avidity to peptide-degenerate with low avidity. In this study, we examined the peptide specificity and cross-reactivity of T cell responses in vitro to an allogeneic epitope and a nominal epitope with a modified co-culture of lymphocytes and autologous monocytes. After binding to the monocyte via the interaction of its Fc part and the cell surface IgG Fc receptor type I (FcγRI), a fusion protein consisting of the extracellular domains of HLA-A2 molecule and the Fc region of IgG1 (the dimer) introduced a single epitope into the co-culture. The dimer-coated monocytes stimulated the proliferation of autologous CD8(+) T cells after co-culturing. The CD8(+) T cell responses were self-HLA-restricted for HLA-A2-positive (HLA-A2+ve) samples and allo-HLA-restricted for HLA-A2-negative (HLA-A2-ve) samples, since the co-cultural bulks stained with HLA-A2 tetramers, human interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production in response to T cell receptor (TCR) ligands, and cytotoxicity against a panel of target cells exhibited peptide-specific properties. Two HLA-A2-restricted peptides with sequence homology were included, allowing the comparison of cross-reactivity between allo-antigen- and nominal antigen-induced CD8(+) T cell responses. Interestingly, the allo- and self-HLA-restricted CD8(+) T cell responses were similar in the peptide cross-reactivity, although the allorestricted T cell response seemed, overall, more intensive and had higher binding affinity to specific tetramer. Our findings indicated the alloreactive T cells raised by the co-culture in vitro were as peptide specific and cross-reactive as the self-HLA-restricted ones.
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50
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Phi (Φ) and psi (Ψ) angles involved in malarial peptide bonds determine sterile protective immunity. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2012; 429:75-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.10.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2012] [Accepted: 10/25/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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