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Peereboom ETM, de Marco R, Geneugelijk K, Jairam J, Verduyn Lunel FM, Blok AJ, Medina-Pestana J, Gerbase-DeLima M, van Zuilen AD, Spierings E. Peptide Sharing Between CMV and Mismatched HLA Class I Peptides Promotes Early T-Cell-Mediated Rejection After Kidney Transplantation. HLA 2024; 104:e15719. [PMID: 39435970 DOI: 10.1111/tan.15719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 09/27/2024] [Indexed: 10/23/2024]
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is related to acute rejection and graft loss after kidney transplantation, though the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Some CMV strains produce a peptide that is identical to a peptide sequence found in the leader peptide of specific HLA-A and -C alleles. In this retrospective study of 351 kidney transplantations, we explored whether CMV-seropositive recipients without the VMAPRTLIL, VMAPRTLLL or VMAPRTLVL HLA class I leader peptide receiving a transplant from a donor with this peptide, faced an increased risk of T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) in the first 90 days after transplantation. An independent case-control cohort was used for validation (n = 122). The combination of recipient CMV seropositivity with the VMAPRTLIL peptide mismatch was associated with TCMR with a hazard ratio (HR) of 3.06 (p = 0.001) in a multivariable analysis. Similarly, the VMAPRTLLL peptide mismatch was associated with TCMR revealing a HR of 2.61 (p = 0.008). Transplantations featuring either a VMAPRTLIL or a VMAPRTLLL peptide mismatch had a significantly higher cumulative TCMR incidence (p < 0.0001), with the primary impact observed in the first 2 weeks post-transplantation. The findings could be validated in an independent cohort. Together, our data strongly suggest that CMV-positive recipients without an HLA peptide identical to a CMV peptide yet transplanted with a donor who does possess this peptide, have a significantly increased risk of early TCMR. Considering the prevention of such an leader peptide mismatch in these patients or adjusting immunosuppression protocols accordingly may hold promise in reducing the incidence of early TCMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma T M Peereboom
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Renato de Marco
- Immunogenetics Institute - IGEN, Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa (AFIP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kirsten Geneugelijk
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jasvir Jairam
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frans M Verduyn Lunel
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Anna J Blok
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - José Medina-Pestana
- Nephrology Division, Hospital Do Rim, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Gerbase-DeLima
- Immunogenetics Institute - IGEN, Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa (AFIP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Arjan D van Zuilen
- Department of Nephrology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Spierings
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Central Diagnostics Laboratory, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Brackenridge S, John N, He W, Früh K, Borrow P, McMichael A. Regulation of the cell surface expression of classical and non-classical MHC proteins by the human cytomegalovirus UL40 and rhesus cytomegalovirus Rh67 proteins. J Virol 2024; 98:e0120624. [PMID: 39207137 PMCID: PMC11406984 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01206-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The signal sequences of the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) UL40 protein and its rhesus CMV (RhCMV) counterpart, Rh67, contain a peptide (VMAPRT[L/V][F/I/L/V]L, VL9) that is presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen E (MHC-E). The CMV VL9 peptides replace VL9 peptides derived from classical MHC (Ia) signal sequences, which are lost when CMV disrupts antigen processing and presentation and MHC Ia expression. This allows infected cells to maintain MHC-E surface expression and escape killing by Natural Killer cells. We demonstrate that processing of the Rh67 VL9 peptide mirrors that of UL40, despite the lack of sequence conservation between the two proteins. Processing of both VL9 peptides is dependent on cleavage of their signal sequences by the host protease signal peptide peptidase. As previously shown for UL40, up-regulation of MHC-E expression by Rh67 requires only its signal sequence, with sequences upstream of VL9 critical for conferring independence from TAP, the transporter associated with antigen processing. Our results also suggest that the mature UL40 and Rh67 proteins contribute to CMV immune evasion by decreasing surface expression of MHC Ia. Unexpectedly, while the Rh67 VL9 peptide is resistant to the effects of Rh67, UL40 can partially counteract the up-regulation of MHC-E expression mediated by its own VL9 peptide. This suggests differences in the mechanisms by which the two VL9 peptides up-regulate MHC-E, and further work will be required to determine if any such differences have implications for translating a RhCMV-vectored simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) vaccine to HIV-1 using human CMV as a vector. IMPORTANCE The protective immune response induced by a rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV)-vectored simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) vaccine in rhesus macaques depends on the presence of the viral Rh67 gene in the vaccine. The Rh67 protein contains a peptide that allows the RhCMV-infected cells to maintain expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen E at the cell surface. We show that production of this peptide, referred to as "VL9," mirrors that of the equivalent peptide present in the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) protein UL40, despite the little sequence similarity between the two CMV proteins. We also show that the mature UL40 and Rh67 proteins, which have no previously described function, also contribute to CMV immune evasion by reducing cell surface expression of MHC proteins important for the immune system to detect infected cells. Despite these similarities, our work also reveals possible differences between Rh67 and UL40, and these may have implications for the use of human CMV as the vector for a potential HIV-1 vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Brackenridge
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nessy John
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA
| | - Wanlin He
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Klaus Früh
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA
| | - Persephone Borrow
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew McMichael
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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3
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Alekseeva NA, Streltsova MA, Vavilova JD, Ustiuzhanina MO, Palamarchuk AI, Boyko AA, Timofeev ND, Popodko AI, Kovalenko EI. Obtaining Gene-Modified HLA-E-Expressing Feeder Cells for Stimulation of Natural Killer Cells. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:133. [PMID: 38276503 PMCID: PMC10818548 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-specific adaptive NK cells are capable of recognizing viral peptides presented by HLA-E on infected cells via the NKG2C receptor. Using retroviral transduction, we have generated a K562-cell-based line expressing HLA-E in the presence of the HLA-E-stabilizing peptide, which has previously shown the capacity to enhance adaptive NK cell response. The obtained K562-21E cell line was employed to investigate proliferative responses of the CD57- NK cell subset of HCMV-seropositive and seronegative donors. Stimulation of CD57- NK cells with K562-21E/peptide resulted in an increased cell expansion during the 12-day culturing period, regardless of the serological HCMV status of the donor. The enhanced proliferation in response to the peptide was associated with a greater proportion of CD56brightHLA-DR+ NK cells. In later stages of cultivation, the greatest proliferative response to K562-21E/peptide was shown for a highly HCMV-seropositive donor. These expanded NK cells were characterized by the accumulation of CD57-KIR2DL2/3+NKG2C+NKG2A- cells, which are hypothesized to represent adaptive NK cell progenitors. The K562-21E feeder cells can be applied both for the accumulation of NK cells as therapeutic effectors, and for the study of NK cell maturation into the adaptive state after the HLA-E peptide presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadezhda A. Alekseeva
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya, 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (N.A.A.); (M.A.S.); (J.D.V.); (M.O.U.); (A.I.P.); (A.A.B.); (N.D.T.)
| | - Maria A. Streltsova
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya, 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (N.A.A.); (M.A.S.); (J.D.V.); (M.O.U.); (A.I.P.); (A.A.B.); (N.D.T.)
| | - Julia D. Vavilova
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya, 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (N.A.A.); (M.A.S.); (J.D.V.); (M.O.U.); (A.I.P.); (A.A.B.); (N.D.T.)
| | - Maria O. Ustiuzhanina
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya, 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (N.A.A.); (M.A.S.); (J.D.V.); (M.O.U.); (A.I.P.); (A.A.B.); (N.D.T.)
| | - Anastasia I. Palamarchuk
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya, 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (N.A.A.); (M.A.S.); (J.D.V.); (M.O.U.); (A.I.P.); (A.A.B.); (N.D.T.)
| | - Anna A. Boyko
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya, 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (N.A.A.); (M.A.S.); (J.D.V.); (M.O.U.); (A.I.P.); (A.A.B.); (N.D.T.)
| | - Nikita D. Timofeev
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya, 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (N.A.A.); (M.A.S.); (J.D.V.); (M.O.U.); (A.I.P.); (A.A.B.); (N.D.T.)
| | - Alexey I. Popodko
- Department of Radiation Oncology, European Medical Center, Schepkina 35, 129110 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Elena I. Kovalenko
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya, 16/10, 117997 Moscow, Russia; (N.A.A.); (M.A.S.); (J.D.V.); (M.O.U.); (A.I.P.); (A.A.B.); (N.D.T.)
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4
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Middelburg J, Ghaffari S, Schoufour TAW, Sluijter M, Schaap G, Göynük B, Sala BM, Al-Tamimi L, Scheeren F, Franken KLMC, Akkermans JJLL, Cabukusta B, Joosten SA, Derksen I, Neefjes J, van der Burg SH, Achour A, Wijdeven RHM, Weidanz J, van Hall T. The MHC-E peptide ligands for checkpoint CD94/NKG2A are governed by inflammatory signals, whereas LILRB1/2 receptors are peptide indifferent. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113516. [PMID: 38048225 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113516] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune checkpoint NKG2A/CD94 is a promising target for cancer immunotherapy, and its ligand major histocompatibility complex E (MHC-E) is frequently upregulated in cancer. NKG2A/CD94-mediated inhibition of lymphocytes depends on the presence of specific leader peptides in MHC-E, but when and where they are presented in situ is unknown. We apply a nanobody specific for the Qdm/Qa-1b complex, the NKG2A/CD94 ligand in mouse, and find that presentation of Qdm peptide depends on every member of the endoplasmic reticulum-resident peptide loading complex. With a turnover rate of 30 min, the Qdm peptide reflects antigen processing capacity in real time. Remarkably, Qdm/Qa-1b complexes require inflammatory signals for surface expression in situ, despite the broad presence of Qa-1b molecules in homeostasis. Furthermore, we identify LILRB1 as a functional inhibition receptor for MHC-E in steady state. These data provide a molecular understanding of NKG2A blockade in immunotherapy and assign MHC-E as a convergent ligand for multiple immune checkpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jim Middelburg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Soroush Ghaffari
- Department of Biology, College of Science, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Tom A W Schoufour
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Sluijter
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gaby Schaap
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Büsra Göynük
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Benedetta M Sala
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute & Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Lejla Al-Tamimi
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute & Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Ferenc Scheeren
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Kees L M C Franken
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jimmy J L L Akkermans
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Birol Cabukusta
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Simone A Joosten
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ian Derksen
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jacques Neefjes
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Adnane Achour
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute & Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 65 Solna, Sweden
| | - Ruud H M Wijdeven
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jon Weidanz
- Abexxa Biologics, Inc., Arlington, TX, USA; College of Nursing and Health Innovation, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Thorbald van Hall
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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5
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Huot N, Planchais C, Rosenbaum P, Contreras V, Jacquelin B, Petitdemange C, Lazzerini M, Beaumont E, Orta-Resendiz A, Rey FA, Reeves RK, Le Grand R, Mouquet H, Müller-Trutwin M. SARS-CoV-2 viral persistence in lung alveolar macrophages is controlled by IFN-γ and NK cells. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:2068-2079. [PMID: 37919524 PMCID: PMC10681903 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01661-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA generally becomes undetectable in upper airways after a few days or weeks postinfection. Here we used a model of viral infection in macaques to address whether SARS-CoV-2 persists in the body and which mechanisms regulate its persistence. Replication-competent virus was detected in bronchioalveolar lavage (BAL) macrophages beyond 6 months postinfection. Viral propagation in BAL macrophages occurred from cell to cell and was inhibited by interferon-γ (IFN-γ). IFN-γ production was strongest in BAL NKG2r+CD8+ T cells and NKG2Alo natural killer (NK) cells and was further increased in NKG2Alo NK cells after spike protein stimulation. However, IFN-γ production was impaired in NK cells from macaques with persisting virus. Moreover, IFN-γ also enhanced the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-E on BAL macrophages, possibly inhibiting NK cell-mediated killing. Macaques with less persisting virus mounted adaptive NK cells that escaped the MHC-E-dependent inhibition. Our findings reveal an interplay between NK cells and macrophages that regulated SARS-CoV-2 persistence in macrophages and was mediated by IFN-γ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Huot
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France.
| | - Cyril Planchais
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1222, Humoral Immunology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Rosenbaum
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1222, Humoral Immunology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Vanessa Contreras
- Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM, CEA, Immunologie des Maladies Virales, Auto-Immunes, Hématologiques et Bactériennes (IMVA-HB/IDMIT/UMR1184), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Beatrice Jacquelin
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France
| | - Caroline Petitdemange
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France
| | - Marie Lazzerini
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France
| | - Emma Beaumont
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France
| | - Aurelio Orta-Resendiz
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France
| | - Félix A Rey
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, Structural Virology Unit, CNRS UMR3569, Paris, France
| | - R Keith Reeves
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Innate and Comparative Immunology, Center for Human Systems Immunology, Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Duke Research and Discovery at RTP, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Roger Le Grand
- Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM, CEA, Immunologie des Maladies Virales, Auto-Immunes, Hématologiques et Bactériennes (IMVA-HB/IDMIT/UMR1184), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Hugo Mouquet
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, INSERM U1222, Humoral Immunology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Michaela Müller-Trutwin
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Cité, HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit, Paris, France
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Lin Z, Bashirova AA, Viard M, Garner L, Quastel M, Beiersdorfer M, Kasprzak WK, Akdag M, Yuki Y, Ojeda P, Das S, Andresson T, Naranbhai V, Horowitz A, McMichael AJ, Hoelzemer A, Gillespie GM, Garcia-Beltran WF, Carrington M. HLA class I signal peptide polymorphism determines the level of CD94/NKG2-HLA-E-mediated regulation of effector cell responses. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:1087-1097. [PMID: 37264229 PMCID: PMC10690437 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01523-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E binds epitopes derived from HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C and HLA-G signal peptides (SPs) and serves as a ligand for CD94/NKG2A and CD94/NKG2C receptors expressed on natural killer and T cell subsets. We show that among 16 common classical HLA class I SP variants, only 6 can be efficiently processed to generate epitopes that enable CD94/NKG2 engagement, which we term 'functional SPs'. The single functional HLA-B SP, known as HLA-B/-21M, induced high HLA-E expression, but conferred the lowest receptor recognition. Consequently, HLA-B/-21M SP competes with other SPs for providing epitope to HLA-E and reduces overall recognition of target cells by CD94/NKG2A, calling for reassessment of previous disease models involving HLA-B/-21M. Genetic population data indicate a positive correlation between frequencies of functional SPs in humans and corresponding cytomegalovirus mimics, suggesting a means for viral escape from host responses. The systematic, quantitative approach described herein will facilitate development of prediction algorithms for accurately measuring the impact of CD94/NKG2-HLA-E interactions in disease resistance/susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhansong Lin
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Arman A Bashirova
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mathias Viard
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lee Garner
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Max Quastel
- Centre for Immuno-Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Maya Beiersdorfer
- Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
- 1st Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Wojciech K Kasprzak
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Advanced Biomedical Computational Science, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Marjan Akdag
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yuko Yuki
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Pedro Ojeda
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sudipto Das
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Thorkell Andresson
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Vivek Naranbhai
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, Durban, South Africa
| | - Amir Horowitz
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Precision Immunology Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Angelique Hoelzemer
- Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany
- 1st Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Mary Carrington
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA.
- Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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7
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Voogd L, Ruibal P, Ottenhoff TH, Joosten SA. Antigen presentation by MHC-E: a putative target for vaccination? Trends Immunol 2022; 43:355-365. [PMID: 35370095 PMCID: PMC9058203 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The essentially monomorphic human antigen presentation molecule HLA-E is an interesting candidate target to enable vaccination irrespective of genetic diversity. Predictive HLA-E peptide-binding motifs have been refined to facilitate HLA-E peptide discovery. HLA-E can accommodate structurally divergent peptides of both self and microbial origin. Intracellular processing and presentation pathways for peptides by HLA-E for T cell receptor (TCR) recognition remain to be elucidated. Recent studies show that, unlike canonical peptides, inhibition of the transporter associated with antigen presentation (TAP) is essential to allow HLA-E antigen presentation in cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and possibly also of other non-canonical peptides. We propose three alternative and TAP-independent MHC-E antigen-presentation pathways, including for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections. These insights may help in designing potential HLA-E targeting vaccines against tumors and pathogens.
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8
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Signal Peptide Peptidase-Type Proteases: Versatile Regulators with Functions Ranging from Limited Proteolysis to Protein Degradation. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:5063-5078. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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9
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Kanevskiy L, Erokhina S, Kobyzeva P, Streltsova M, Sapozhnikov A, Kovalenko E. Dimorphism of HLA-E and its Disease Association. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20215496. [PMID: 31690066 PMCID: PMC6862560 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
HLA-E is a nonclassical member of the major histocompatibility complex class I gene locus. HLA-E protein shares a high level of homology with MHC Ia classical proteins: it has similar tertiary structure, associates with β2-microglobulin, and is able to present peptides to cytotoxic lymphocytes. The main function of HLA-E under normal conditions is to present peptides derived from the leader sequences of classical HLA class I proteins, thus serving for monitoring of expression of these molecules performed by cytotoxic lymphocytes. However, opposite to multiallelic classical MHC I genes, HLA-E in fact has only two alleles—HLA-E*01:01 and HLA-E*01:03—which differ by one nonsynonymous amino acid substitution at position 107, resulting in an arginine in HLA-E*01:01 (HLA-ER) and glycine in HLA-E*01:03 (HLA-EG). In contrast to HLA-ER,HLA-EG has higher affinity to peptide, higher surface expression, and higher thermal stability of the corresponding protein, and it is more ancient than HLA-ER, though both alleles are presented in human populations in nearly equal frequencies. In the current review, we aimed to uncover the reason of the expansion of the younger allele, HLA-ER, by analysis of associations of both HLA-E alleles with a number of diseases, including viral and bacterial infections, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonid Kanevskiy
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
| | - Sofya Erokhina
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
| | - Polina Kobyzeva
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
| | - Maria Streltsova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
| | - Alexander Sapozhnikov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
| | - Elena Kovalenko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 16/10, Miklukho-Maklaya St., Moscow 117997, Russia.
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10
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Abstract
Most studies of T lymphocytes focus on recognition of classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I or II molecules presenting oligopeptides, yet there are numerous variations and exceptions of biological significance based on recognition of a wide variety of nonclassical MHC molecules. These include αβ and γδ T cells that recognize different class Ib molecules (CD1, MR-1, HLA-E, G, F, et al.) that are nearly monomorphic within a given species. Collectively, these T cells can be considered “unconventional,” in part because they recognize lipids, metabolites, and modified peptides. Unlike classical MHC-specific cells, unconventional T cells generally exhibit limited T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) repertoires and often produce innate immune cell-like rapid effector responses. Exploiting this system in new generation vaccines for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis (TB), other infectious agents, and cancer was the focus of a recent workshop, “Immune Surveillance by Non-classical MHC Molecules: Improving Diversity for Antigens,” sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Here, we summarize salient points presented regarding the basic immunobiology of unconventional T cells, recent advances in methodologies to measure unconventional T-cell activity in diseases, and approaches to harness their considerable clinical potential.
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11
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Preproinsulin Designer Antigens Excluded from Endoplasmic Reticulum Suppressed Diabetes Development in NOD Mice by DNA Vaccination. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2018; 12:123-133. [PMID: 30623001 PMCID: PMC6319196 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
DNA vaccines against autoimmune type 1 diabetes (T1D) contain a nonpredictable risk to induce autoreactive T cell responses rather than a protective immunity. Little is known if (and how) antigen expression and processing requirements favor the induction of autoreactive or protective immune responses by DNA immunization. Here, we analyzed whether structural properties of preproinsulin (ppins) variants and/or subcellular targeting of ppins designer antigens influence the priming of effector CD8+ T cell responses by DNA immunization. Primarily, we used H-2b RIP-B7.1 tg mice, expressing the co-stimulator molecule B7.1 in beta cells, to identify antigens that induce or fail to induce autoreactive ppins-specific (Kb/A12-21 and/or Kb/B22-29) CD8+ T cell responses. Female NOD mice, expressing the diabetes-susceptible H-2g7 haplotype, were used to test ppins variants for their potential to suppress spontaneous diabetes development. We showed that ppins antigens excluded from expression in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) did not induce CD8+ T cells or autoimmune diabetes in RIP-B7.1 tg mice, but efficiently suppressed spontaneous diabetes development in NOD mice as well as ppins-induced CD8+ T cell-mediated autoimmune diabetes in PD-L1−/− mice. The induction of a ppins-specific therapeutic immunity in mice has practical implications for the design of immune therapies against T1D in individuals expressing different major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I and II molecules.
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12
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Durgeau A, Virk Y, Gros G, Voilin E, Corgnac S, Djenidi F, Salmon J, Adam J, de Montpréville V, Validire P, Ferrone S, Chouaib S, Eggermont A, Soria JC, Lemonnier F, Tartour E, Chaput N, Besse B, Mami-Chouaib F. Human preprocalcitonin self-antigen generates TAP-dependent and -independent epitopes triggering optimised T-cell responses toward immune-escaped tumours. Nat Commun 2018; 9:5097. [PMID: 30504837 PMCID: PMC6269466 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07603-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumours often evade CD8 T-cell immunity by downregulating TAP. T-cell epitopes associated with impaired peptide processing are immunogenic non-mutated neoantigens that emerge during tumour immune evasion. The preprocalcitonin (ppCT)16-25 neoepitope belongs to this category of antigens. Here we show that most human lung tumours display altered expression of TAP and frequently express ppCT self-antigen. We also show that ppCT includes HLA-A2-restricted epitopes that are processed by TAP-independent and -dependent pathways. Processing occurs in either the endoplasmic reticulum, by signal peptidase and signal peptide peptidase, or in the cytosol after release of a signal peptide precursor or retrotranslocation of a procalcitonin substrate by endoplasmic-reticulum-associated degradation. Remarkably, ppCT peptide-based immunotherapy induces efficient T-cell responses toward antigen processing and presenting machinery-impaired tumours transplanted into HLA-A*0201-transgenic mice and in NOD-scid-Il2rγnull mice adoptively transferred with human PBMC. Thus, ppCT-specific T lymphocytes are promising effectors for treatment of tumours that have escaped immune recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Durgeau
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumour Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, EPHE, PSL, Fac. de Médecine, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 94805, Villejuif, France.,ElyssaMed, Paris Biotech Santé, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Yasemin Virk
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumour Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, EPHE, PSL, Fac. de Médecine, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 94805, Villejuif, France
| | - Gwendoline Gros
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumour Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, EPHE, PSL, Fac. de Médecine, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 94805, Villejuif, France
| | - Elodie Voilin
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumour Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, EPHE, PSL, Fac. de Médecine, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 94805, Villejuif, France
| | - Stéphanie Corgnac
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumour Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, EPHE, PSL, Fac. de Médecine, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 94805, Villejuif, France
| | - Fayçal Djenidi
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumour Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, EPHE, PSL, Fac. de Médecine, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 94805, Villejuif, France
| | - Jérôme Salmon
- CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) UMR 8122, Gustave Roussy, Faculté de Médecine, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 94805, Villejuif, France
| | - Julien Adam
- INSERM U 981, Gustave Roussy, Faculté de Médecine, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 94805, Villejuif, France
| | - Vincent de Montpréville
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumour Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, EPHE, PSL, Fac. de Médecine, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 94805, Villejuif, France.,Service d'Anatomie Pathologique, Centre Chirurgical Marie-Lannelongue, 92350, Le-Plessis-Robinson, France
| | - Pierre Validire
- Service d'Anatomie Pathologique, Institut Mutualiste Montsouris, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Soldano Ferrone
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Salem Chouaib
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumour Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, EPHE, PSL, Fac. de Médecine, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 94805, Villejuif, France.,Thumbay Institute for Precision Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, 4184, UAE
| | - Alexander Eggermont
- Cancer Institute, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Grand Paris, 94805, Villejuif, France
| | - Jean-Charles Soria
- Department of Drug Development (DITEP), Gustave Roussy, 94805, Villejuif, France
| | - François Lemonnier
- Département Endocrinologie, Métabolisme et Diabète, Equipe Immunologie des Diabètes, INSERM U1016, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Eric Tartour
- INSERM U970, Paris Cardiovascular Research Centre, Université Paris-Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Service d'Immunologie Biologique, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Chaput
- Laboratory of Immunomonitoring in Oncology, and CNRS-UMS 3655 and INSERM-US23, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus, Villejuif, France.,Faculté de Pharmacie, University Paris-Sud, F-92296, Chatenay-Malabry, France
| | - Benjamin Besse
- Département de Médecine, Gustave Roussy, 94805, Villejuif, France
| | - Fathia Mami-Chouaib
- INSERM UMR 1186, Integrative Tumour Immunology and Genetic Oncology, Gustave Roussy, EPHE, PSL, Fac. de Médecine, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, 94805, Villejuif, France.
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13
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Carlsten M, Namazi A, Reger R, Levy E, Berg M, St Hilaire C, Childs RW. Bortezomib sensitizes multiple myeloma to NK cells via ER-stress-induced suppression of HLA-E and upregulation of DR5. Oncoimmunology 2018; 8:e1534664. [PMID: 30713790 PMCID: PMC6343814 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1534664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 09/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib has significantly improved the survival of patients with multiple myeloma (MM), the disease remains fatal as most patients eventually develop progressive disease. Recent data indicate that MM cells can evade bortezomib-induced cell death by undergoing autophagy as a consequence of endoplasmatic reticulum (ER)-stress induced by proteasome inhibition. Here we show that bortezomib sensitizes MM cells to NK cell killing via two distinct mechanisms: a) upregulation of the TRAIL death receptor DR5 on the surface of MM cells and b) ER-stress induced reduction of cell surface HLA-E. The latter mechanism is completely novel and was found to be exclusively controlled by the inhibitory receptor NKG2A, with NKG2A single-positive (NKG2ASP) NK cells developing a selective augmentation in tumor killing as a consequence of bortezomib-induced loss of HLA-E on the non-apoptotic MM cells. In contrast, the expression of classical HLA class I molecules remained unchanged following bortezomib exposure, diminishing the augmentation of MM killing by NK cells expressing KIR. Further, we found that feeder cell-based ex vivo expansion of NK cells increased both NK cell TRAIL surface expression and the percentage of NKG2ASP NK cells compared to unexpanded controls, substantially augmenting their capacity to kill bortezomib-treated MM cells. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that infusion of ex vivo expanded NK cells following treatment with bortezomib could eradicate MM cells that would normally evade killing through proteasome inhibition alone, potentially improving long-term survival among MM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattias Carlsten
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Hematology Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Ali Namazi
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Hematology Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Robert Reger
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Hematology Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Emily Levy
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Hematology Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Maria Berg
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Hematology Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Cynthia St Hilaire
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Richard W Childs
- Laboratory of Transplantation Immunotherapy, Hematology Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
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14
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Rölle A, Jäger D, Momburg F. HLA-E Peptide Repertoire and Dimorphism-Centerpieces in the Adaptive NK Cell Puzzle? Front Immunol 2018; 9:2410. [PMID: 30386347 PMCID: PMC6199380 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptive Natural Killer (NK) cells, a heterogenous subpopulation of human NK cells with a unique phenotypic and functional signature, became arguably one of the central areas of interest in the field. While their existence seems closely associated with prior exposure to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), many questions regarding their origin and regulation remain unanswered. However, a common denominator for the majority of adaptive NK cells is the expression of the activating heterodimeric receptor CD94/NKG2C that binds to HLA-E, a non-classical HLA molecule, that displays a comparably restricted expression pattern, very limited polymorphism and presents a distinct set of peptides. Recent studies suggest that-in analogy to T cell responses-peptides presented on HLA-E could play an unexpectedly decisive role for the biology of adaptive NK cells. Here, we discuss how this perspective on the CD94/NKG2C-HLA-E axis aligns with the existing literature and speculate about possible translational implication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Rölle
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseasesm, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity (D120), German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Jäger
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseasesm, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Applied Tumor Immunity (D120), German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frank Momburg
- Antigen Presentation and T/NK Cell Activation Group (D121), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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15
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Kronenberg-Versteeg D, Eichmann M, Russell MA, de Ru A, Hehn B, Yusuf N, van Veelen PA, Richardson SJ, Morgan NG, Lemberg MK, Peakman M. Molecular Pathways for Immune Recognition of Preproinsulin Signal Peptide in Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes 2018; 67:687-696. [PMID: 29343547 DOI: 10.2337/db17-0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The signal peptide region of preproinsulin (PPI) contains epitopes targeted by HLA-A-restricted (HLA-A0201, A2402) cytotoxic T cells as part of the pathogenesis of β-cell destruction in type 1 diabetes. We extended the discovery of the PPI epitope to disease-associated HLA-B*1801 and HLA-B*3906 (risk) and HLA-A*1101 and HLA-B*3801 (protective) alleles, revealing that four of six alleles present epitopes derived from the signal peptide region. During cotranslational translocation of PPI, its signal peptide is cleaved and retained within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, implying it is processed for immune recognition outside of the canonical proteasome-directed pathway. Using in vitro translocation assays with specific inhibitors and gene knockout in PPI-expressing target cells, we show that PPI signal peptide antigen processing requires signal peptide peptidase (SPP). The intramembrane protease SPP generates cytoplasm-proximal epitopes, which are transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP), ER-luminal epitopes, which are TAP independent, each presented by different HLA class I molecules and N-terminal trimmed by ER aminopeptidase 1 for optimal presentation. In vivo, TAP expression is significantly upregulated and correlated with HLA class I hyperexpression in insulin-containing islets of patients with type 1 diabetes. Thus, PPI signal peptide epitopes are processed by SPP and loaded for HLA-guided immune recognition via pathways that are enhanced during disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Kronenberg-Versteeg
- Department of Immunobiology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, U.K.
- National Institute for Health Research, Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, U.K
| | - Martin Eichmann
- Department of Immunobiology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, U.K
| | - Mark A Russell
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, U.K
| | - Arnoud de Ru
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Beate Hehn
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Norkhairin Yusuf
- Department of Immunobiology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, U.K
| | - Peter A van Veelen
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sarah J Richardson
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, U.K
| | - Noel G Morgan
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, U.K
| | - Marius K Lemberg
- Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH), DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mark Peakman
- Department of Immunobiology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, U.K
- National Institute for Health Research, Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital Foundation Trust and King's College London, London, U.K
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16
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Bianchi F, Textor J, van den Bogaart G. Transmembrane Helices Are an Overlooked Source of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Epitopes. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1118. [PMID: 28959259 PMCID: PMC5604083 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
About a fourth of the human proteome is anchored by transmembrane helices (TMHs) to lipid membranes. TMHs require multiple hydrophobic residues for spanning membranes, and this shows a striking resemblance with the requirements for peptide binding to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that bioinformatics analysis predicts an over-representation of TMHs among strong MHC class I (MHC-I) binders. Published peptide elution studies confirm that TMHs are indeed presented by MHC-I. This raises the question how membrane proteins are processed for MHC-I (cross-)presentation, with current research focusing on soluble antigens. The presentation of membrane-buried peptides is likely important in health and disease, as TMHs are considerably conserved and their presentation might prevent escape mutations by pathogens. Therefore, it could contribute to the disease correlations described for many human leukocyte antigen haplotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frans Bianchi
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Johannes Textor
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Geert van den Bogaart
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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17
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Construction of a versatile expression library for all human single-pass transmembrane proteins for receptor pairings by high throughput screening. J Biotechnol 2017; 260:18-30. [PMID: 28867483 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2017.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Interactions between protein ligands and receptors play crucial roles in cell-cell signalling. Most of the human cell surface receptors have been identified in the post-Human Genome Project era but many of their corresponding ligands remain unknown. To facilitate the pairing of orphan receptors, 2762 sequences encoding all human single-pass transmembrane proteins were selected for inclusion into a mammalian-cell expression library. This expression library, consisting of all the individual extracellular domains (ECDs), was constructed as a Fab fusion for each protein. In this format, individual ECD can be produced as a soluble protein or displayed on cell surface, depending on the applied heavy-chain Fab configuration. The unique design of the Fab fusion concept used in the library led to not only superior success rate of protein production, but also versatile applications in various high-throughput screening paradigms including protein-protein binding assays as well as cell binding assays, which were not possible for any other existing expression libraries. The protein library was screened against human coagulation factor VIIa (FVIIa), an approved therapeutic for the treatment of hemophilia, for binding partners by AlphaScreen and ForteBio assays. Two previously known physiological ligands of FVIIa, tissue factor (TF) and endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) were identified by both assays. The cell surface displayed library was screened against V-domain Ig suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA), an important immune-checkpoint regulator. Immunoglobulin superfamily member 11 (IgSF11), a potential target for cancer immunotherapy, was identified as a new and previously undescribed binding partner for VISTA. The specificity of the binding was confirmed and validated by both fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assays in different experimental setups.
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18
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McMichael AJ, Picker LJ. Unusual antigen presentation offers new insight into HIV vaccine design. Curr Opin Immunol 2017; 46:75-81. [PMID: 28505602 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2017.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Recent findings with a rhesus monkey cytomegalovirus based simian immunodeficiency virus vaccine have identified strong CD8+ T cell responses that are restricted by MHC-E. Also mycobacteria specific CD8+ T cells, that are MHC-E restricted, have been identified. MHC-E therefore can present a wide range of epitope peptides to CD8+ T cells, alongside its well defined role in presenting a conserved MHC-class I signal peptide to the NKG2A/C-CD94 receptor on natural killer cells. Here we explore the antigen processing pathways involved in these atypical T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J McMichael
- Nuffield Deparment of Medicine, Oxford University, Old Road Campus, Oxford OX37FZ, UK.
| | - Louis J Picker
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006-3448, United States
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19
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Guberina H, Rebmann V, Wagner B, da Silva Nardi F, Dziallas P, Dolff S, Bienholz A, Wohlschlaeger J, Bankfalvi A, Heinemann FM, Witzke O, Zoet YM, Claas FHJ, Horn PA, Kribben A, Doxiadis IIN. Association of high HLA-E expression during acute cellular rejection and numbers of HLA class I leader peptide mismatches with reduced renal allograft survival. Immunobiology 2017; 222:536-543. [PMID: 27871782 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2016.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Non-classical Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-E preferentially presents leader peptides derived from classical HLA-class I molecules. HLA-E can trigger opposed immune responses by interacting with inhibitory NKG2A or by activating NKG2C receptors on NK and T-cells. We studied the impact of HLA-E on renal allograft survival during acute cellular rejection. HLA-E expression was up-regulated in acute cellular rejection (ACR) biopsies (n=12) compared to biopsies from 13 renal allografts with no rejection-signs. HLA-E up-regulation was correlated with numbers of HLA-class I leader peptide mismatches (p=0.04). CD8+ and CD56+ infiltrating cells correlated with HLA-E expression (p<0.0001 and p=0.0009, respectively). Activating NKG2C receptor dominated on effector cells in biopsies and peripheral blood during ACR potentially allowing HLA-E-mediated immune activation. Moreover, HLA-E expression correlated with deterioration in renal allograft function (p<0.008) and reduced allograft survival (p=0.002). Our findings provide evidence that during renal allograft rejection HLA-E along with high numbers of mismatched HLA-class I leader peptides might represent additional targets for immune-activating responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Guberina
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Vera Rebmann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Bettina Wagner
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Fabiola da Silva Nardi
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília, DF 70.040-020, Brazil
| | - Phillip Dziallas
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Dolff
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Anja Bienholz
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jeremias Wohlschlaeger
- Institute for Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Agnes Bankfalvi
- Institute for Pathology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Falko M Heinemann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Oliver Witzke
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Yvonne M Zoet
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands, Netherlands
| | - Frans H J Claas
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands, Netherlands
| | - Peter A Horn
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andreas Kribben
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ilias I N Doxiadis
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands, Netherlands
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20
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Kordelas L, Steckel NK, Horn PA, Beelen DW, Rebmann V. The Activating NKG2C Receptor Is Significantly Reduced in NK Cells after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Severe Graft-versus-Host Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:E1797. [PMID: 27801784 PMCID: PMC5133798 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17111797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2016] [Revised: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells play a central role in the innate immune system. In allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT), alloreactive NK cells derived by the graft are discussed to mediate the elimination of leukemic cells and dendritic cells in the patient and thereby to reduce the risk for leukemic relapses and graft-versus-host reactions. The alloreactivity of NK cells is determined by various receptors including the activating CD94/NKG2C and the inhibitory CD94/NKG2A receptors, which both recognize the non-classical human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E). Here we analyze the contribution of these receptors to NK cell alloreactivity in 26 patients over the course of the first year after alloSCT due to acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and T cell Non-Hodgkin-Lymphoma. Our results show that NK cells expressing the activating CD94/NKG2C receptor are significantly reduced in patients after alloSCT with severe acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Moreover, the ratio of CD94/NKG2C to CD94/NKG2A was reduced in patients with severe acute and chronic GvHD after receiving an HLA-mismatched graft. Collectively, these results provide evidence for the first time that CD94/NKG2C is involved in GvHD prevention.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Female
- Graft vs Host Disease/immunology
- Graft vs Host Disease/pathology
- Graft vs Host Disease/prevention & control
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/immunology
- Humans
- Immunity, Innate/genetics
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/immunology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy
- Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/immunology
- Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/pathology
- Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/therapy
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes/immunology
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes/pathology
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes/therapy
- NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily C/biosynthesis
- NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily C/immunology
- NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily D/biosynthesis
- NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily D/immunology
- Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects
- Transplantation, Homologous/adverse effects
- HLA-E Antigens
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Affiliation(s)
- Lambros Kordelas
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, Essen 45147, Germany.
| | - Nina-Kristin Steckel
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, Essen 45147, Germany.
| | - Peter A Horn
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen 45147, Germany.
| | - Dietrich W Beelen
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, Essen 45147, Germany.
| | - Vera Rebmann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen 45147, Germany.
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21
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Proteolytic enzymes involved in MHC class I antigen processing: A guerrilla army that partners with the proteasome. Mol Immunol 2015; 68:72-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2015.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Revised: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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22
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Oliveira CC, van Hall T. Alternative Antigen Processing for MHC Class I: Multiple Roads Lead to Rome. Front Immunol 2015; 6:298. [PMID: 26097483 PMCID: PMC4457021 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The well described conventional antigen-processing pathway is accountable for most peptides that end up in MHC class I molecules at the cell surface. These peptides experienced liberation by the proteasome and transport by the peptide transporter TAP. However, there are multiple roads that lead to Rome, illustrated by the increasing number of alternative processing pathways that have been reported during last years. Interestingly, TAP-deficient individuals do not succumb to viral infections, suggesting that CD8 T cell immunity is sufficiently supported by alternative TAP-independent processing pathways. To date, a diversity of viral and endogenous TAP-independent peptides have been identified in the grooves of different MHC class I alleles. Some of these peptides are not displayed by normal TAP-positive cells and we therefore called them TEIPP, for “T-cell epitopes associated with impaired peptide processing.” TEIPPs are hidden self-antigens, are derived from normal housekeeping proteins, and are processed via unconventional processing pathways. Per definition, TEIPPs are presented via TAP-independent pathways, but recent data suggest that part of this repertoire still depend on proteasome and metalloprotease activity. An exception is the C-terminal peptide of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-membrane-spanning ceramide synthase Trh4 that is surprisingly liberated by the signal peptide peptidase (SPP), the proteolytic enzyme involved in cleaving leader sequences. The intramembrane cleaving SPP is thereby an important contributor of TAP-independent peptides. Its family members, like the Alzheimer’s related presenilins, might contribute as well, according to our preliminary data. Finally, alternative peptide routing is an emerging field and includes processes like the unfolded protein response, the ER-associated degradation, and autophagy-associated vesicular pathways. These data convince us that there is a world to be discovered in the field of unconventional antigen processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia C Oliveira
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - Thorbald van Hall
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center , Leiden , Netherlands
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23
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Hosseini E, Schwarer AP, Ghasemzadeh M. Do human leukocyte antigen E polymorphisms influence graft-versus-leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation? Exp Hematol 2015; 43:149-57. [PMID: 25434712 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2014.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2014] [Revised: 11/16/2014] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Hematopoietic-stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) is complicated by histocompatibility-dependent immune responses such as graft-versus-host disease, relapse, and graft rejection. The severity of these common adverse effects is directly related to the degree of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) incompatibility. In addition to the key role of classic HLA matching in influencing HSCT outcome, several lines of evidence suggest an important role for nonclassic major histocompatibility complex class I molecule, HLA-E. The interaction of HLA-E with NKG2A, its main receptor on natural killer cells, modulates cell-mediated cytotoxicity and cytokine production, an important role in innate immune responses. In addition, the HLA-E molecule can present peptides to different subtypes of T cells that may either support graft-versus-leukemia effects or be involved in bridging innate and acquired immunity. To date, the role of HLA-E and its polymorphisms in HSCT outcomes such as graft-versus-host disease, transplant-related mortality, and improved survival has been published by a number of groups. In addition, these data suggest an association between HLA-E polymorphisms and relapse. Whether the engagement of the HLA-E molecule in the modulation of donor T cells is involved in the graft-versus-leukemia effect, or whether a different mechanism of HLA-E dependent reduction of relapse is involved, requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehteramolsadat Hosseini
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran; Department of Immunology, Alfred Medical Research and Education Precinct, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anthony P Schwarer
- Department of Immunology, Alfred Medical Research and Education Precinct, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mehran Ghasemzadeh
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran.
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24
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Patel F, Marusina AI, Duong C, Adamopoulos IE, Maverakis E. NKG2C, HLA-E and their association with psoriasis. Exp Dermatol 2014; 22:797-9. [PMID: 24279916 DOI: 10.1111/exd.12280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell activation is regulated by the integration of signals from inhibitory and activating cell surface receptors. Both NKG2A and NKG2C pair with CD94 to form inhibitory and activating receptors specific for the HLA-E-canonical peptide complex. HLA-E is a non-classical MHC class Ib molecule with limited polymorphism. It preferentially binds to and presents leader sequence peptides derived from classical MHC class I molecules. Wilson et al. have identified an association between NKG2C deficiency and psoriasis. They have also discovered an HLA-C-dependent association between HLA-E and psoriasis. Their research highlights the importance of NK cells in the pathophysiology of psoriasis. Herein, we propose two different models to explain the association between NKG2C, HLA-E and psoriasis. In the first model, we hypothesize that NKG2C deficiency and/or HLA-E O1:01 can inhibit the ability of NK cells to regulate autoreactive T cells, predisposing to psoriasis. The second model proposes that HLA-E 01:03 can disrupt the presentation of the psoriasis-inducing self-determinant by HLA-C, thereby protecting against psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Forum Patel
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA
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25
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Voss M, Schröder B, Fluhrer R. Mechanism, specificity, and physiology of signal peptide peptidase (SPP) and SPP-like proteases. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2013; 1828:2828-39. [PMID: 24099004 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2013.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2012] [Revised: 03/25/2013] [Accepted: 03/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Signal peptide peptidase (SPP) and the homologous SPP-like (SPPL) proteases SPPL2a, SPPL2b, SPPL2c and SPPL3 belong to the family of GxGD intramembrane proteases. SPP/SPPLs selectively cleave transmembrane domains in type II orientation and do not require additional co-factors for proteolytic activity. Orthologues of SPP and SPPLs have been identified in other vertebrates, plants, and eukaryotes. In line with their diverse subcellular localisations ranging from the ER (SPP, SPPL2c), the Golgi (SPPL3), the plasma membrane (SPPL2b) to lysosomes/late endosomes (SPPL2a), the different members of the SPP/SPPL family seem to exhibit distinct functions. Here, we review the substrates of these proteases identified to date as well as the current state of knowledge about the physiological implications of these proteolytic events as deduced from in vivo studies. Furthermore, the present knowledge on the structure of intramembrane proteases of the SPP/SPPL family, their cleavage mechanism and their substrate requirements are summarised. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Intramembrane Proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Voss
- Adolf Butenandt Institute for Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Schillerstr. 44, 80336 Munich, Germany
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26
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Merino AM, Sabbaj S, Easlick J, Goepfert P, Kaslow RA, Tang J. Dimorphic HLA-B signal peptides differentially influence HLA-E- and natural killer cell-mediated cytolysis of HIV-1-infected target cells. Clin Exp Immunol 2013; 174:414-23. [PMID: 23952339 PMCID: PMC3826307 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
As a mechanism of self-protection, signal peptides cleaved from human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I products bind to HLA-E before the complex interacts with the natural killer (NK) cell receptor CD94/NKG2A to inhibit NK-mediated cell lysis. Two types of the signal peptides differ in their position 2 (P2) anchor residue, with P2-methionine (P2-M) having higher HLA-E binding affinity than P2-threonine (P2-T). All HLA-A and HLA-C molecules carry P2-M, whereas HLA-B products have either P2-M or P2-T. Epidemiological evidence suggests that P2-M is unfavourable in the context of HIV-1 infection, being associated with accelerated acquisition of HIV-1 infection in two African cohorts. To begin elucidating the functional mechanism, we studied NK-mediated killing of CD4(+) T cells and monocyte-derived macrophages infected with two laboratory-adapted HIV-1 strains and two transmitted/founder (T/F) viruses. In the presence of target cells derived from individuals with the three HLA-B P2 genotypes (M/M, M/T and T/T), NK-mediated cytolysis was elevated consistently for P2-T in a dose-dependent manner for all cell and virus combinations tested (P = 0·008-0·03). Treatment of target cells with an anti-HLA-E monoclonal antibody restored NK-mediated cytolysis of cells expressing P2-M. Observations on cell lysis were also substantiated by measurements of HIV-1 p24 antigen in the culture supernatants. Overall, our experiments indicate that the anti-HIV-1 function mediated by NK cells is compromised by P2-M, corroborating the association of HLA-B genotype encoding P2-M with accelerated HIV-1 acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Merino
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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27
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Kochan G, Escors D, Breckpot K, Guerrero-Setas D. Role of non-classical MHC class I molecules in cancer immunosuppression. Oncoimmunology 2013; 2:e26491. [PMID: 24482746 PMCID: PMC3894240 DOI: 10.4161/onci.26491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2013] [Revised: 09/10/2013] [Accepted: 09/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing neoplasms employ various mechanisms to evade immunosurveillance. The expression of non-classical MHC class I molecules by both immune and malignant cells in the tumor microenvironment constitute of the strategies used by tumors to circumvent the cytotoxic activity of effector cells of the immune system. The overexpression of HLA-G, -E, and -F is a common finding across a variety of malignancies. However, while the presence of HLA-G and HLA-E has been recently correlated with poor clinical outcome, information on the clinicopathological significance of HLA-F is limited. In the present review, we summarize studies on non-classical MHC class I molecules with special emphasis on their role in the modulation of anticancer immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Escors
- Navarrabiomed-Fundacion Miguel Servet; Navarra, Spain ; Rayne Institute; University College London; London, UK
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28
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Heatley SL, Pietra G, Lin J, Widjaja JML, Harpur CM, Lester S, Rossjohn J, Szer J, Schwarer A, Bradstock K, Bardy PG, Mingari MC, Moretta L, Sullivan LC, Brooks AG. Polymorphism in human cytomegalovirus UL40 impacts on recognition of human leukocyte antigen-E (HLA-E) by natural killer cells. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:8679-8690. [PMID: 23335510 PMCID: PMC3605686 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.409672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2012] [Revised: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell recognition of the nonclassical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecule HLA-E is dependent on the presentation of a nonamer peptide derived from the leader sequence of other HLA molecules to CD94-NKG2 receptors. However, human cytomegalovirus can manipulate this central innate interaction through the provision of a "mimic" of the HLA-encoded peptide derived from the immunomodulatory glycoprotein UL40. Here, we analyzed UL40 sequences isolated from 32 hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients experiencing cytomegalovirus reactivation. The UL40 protein showed a "polymorphic hot spot" within the region that encodes the HLA leader sequence mimic. Although all sequences that were identical to those encoded within HLA-I genes permitted the interaction between HLA-E and CD94-NKG2 receptors, other UL40 polymorphisms reduced the affinity of the interaction between HLA-E and CD94-NKG2 receptors. Furthermore, functional studies using NK cell clones expressing either the inhibitory receptor CD94-NKG2A or the activating receptor CD94-NKG2C identified UL40-encoded peptides that were capable of inhibiting target cell lysis via interaction with CD94-NKG2A, yet had little capacity to activate NK cells through CD94-NKG2C. The data suggest that UL40 polymorphisms may aid evasion of NK cell immunosurveillance by modulating the affinity of the interaction with CD94-NKG2 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L Heatley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Gabriella Pietra
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova 16132, Italy
| | - Jie Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Jacqueline M L Widjaja
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Christopher M Harpur
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Sue Lester
- Department of Rheumatology, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, South Australia 5011, Australia
| | - Jamie Rossjohn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Jeff Szer
- Department of Clinical Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria 3050, Australia
| | - Anthony Schwarer
- Malignant Haematology and Stem Cell Transplantation Service, The Alfred Hospital, Victoria 3004, Australia
| | - Kenneth Bradstock
- Department of Haematology, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales 2145, Australia
| | - Peter G Bardy
- Director of Cancer Services, Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia 5000, Australia
| | - Maria Cristina Mingari
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova 16132, Italy; IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Genova 16132, Italy
| | | | - Lucy C Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Andrew G Brooks
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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29
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El Hage F, Durgeau A, Mami-Chouaib F. TAP expression level in tumor cells defines the nature and processing of MHC class I peptides for recognition by tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2013; 1283:75-80. [PMID: 23302073 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06777.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We identified that the antigen preprocalcitonin (ppCT) is recognized on a human lung carcinoma by a cytotoxic T lymphocyte clone derived from autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. The antigenic peptide ppCT(16-25) is encoded by the gene calcitonin-related polypeptide alpha (CALCA), which codes for CT and is overexpressed in several lung carcinomas compared with normal tissues. The ppCT peptide is derived from the C-terminal region of the signal peptide and is processed independently of proteasomes and the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP)1/TAP2 heterodimeric complexes. Instead, processing occurs within the endoplasmic reticulum by a novel mechanism involving signal pepsidase (SP) and signal peptide peptidase (SPP). Although lung cancer cells bearing the ppCT(16-25) epitope displayed low levels of TAP, restoration of TAP expression by interferon (IFN)-γ treatment or by TAP1/TAP2 gene transfer inhibited ppCT antigen presentation. Thus, the ppCT(16-25) human tumor epitope requires low TAP expression for efficient presentation. These results indicate that emerging SP-generated peptides represent alternative T cell targets that permit cytotoxic T lymphocytes to destroy TAP-impaired tumors, a process that helps to overcome tumor escape from CD8(+) T cell immunity. Additionally, our data suggest that ppCT is a promising candidate for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faten El Hage
- Chimie et Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre, Université Saint-Esprit de Kaslik, Jounieh, Lebanon
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30
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Oehler V, Filipe A, Montserret R, da Costa D, Brown G, Penin F, McLauchlan J. Structural analysis of hepatitis C virus core-E1 signal peptide and requirements for cleavage of the genotype 3a signal sequence by signal peptide peptidase. J Virol 2012; 86:7818-28. [PMID: 22593157 PMCID: PMC3421639 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00457-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2012] [Accepted: 05/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The maturation of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein requires proteolytic processing by two host proteases: signal peptidase (SP) and the intramembrane-cleaving protease signal peptide peptidase (SPP). Previous work on HCV genotype 1a (GT1a) and GT2a has identified crucial residues required for efficient signal peptide processing by SPP, which in turn has an effect on the production of infectious virus particles. Here we demonstrate that the JFH1 GT2a core-E1 signal peptide can be adapted to the GT3a sequence without affecting the production of infectious HCV. Through mutagenesis studies, we identified crucial residues required for core-E1 signal peptide processing, including a GT3a sequence-specific histidine (His) at position 187. In addition, the stable knockdown of intracellular SPP levels in HuH-7 cells significantly affects HCV virus titers, further demonstrating the requirement for SPP for the maturation of core and the production of infectious HCV particles. Finally, our nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structural analysis of a synthetic HCV JFH1 GT2a core-E1 signal peptide provides an essential structural template for a further understanding of core processing as well as the first model for an SPP substrate within its membrane environment. Our findings give deeper insights into the mechanisms of intramembrane-cleaving proteases and the impact on viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Oehler
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Filipe
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Roland Montserret
- Bases Moléculaires et Structurales des Systèmes Infectieux, IBCP, UMR 5086, CNRS, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Daniel da Costa
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Gaie Brown
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - François Penin
- Bases Moléculaires et Structurales des Systèmes Infectieux, IBCP, UMR 5086, CNRS, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - John McLauchlan
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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31
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Iwaszko M, Bogunia-Kubik K. Clinical significance of the HLA-E and CD94/NKG2 interaction. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2011; 59:353-67. [PMID: 21800130 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-011-0137-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2011] [Accepted: 04/26/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
HLA-E belongs to the non-classical HLA (class Ib family) broadly defined by a limited polymorphism and a restricted pattern of cellular expression. So far, only two functional alleles differing at only one amino acid position (non-synonymous mutation) in the α2 heavy chain domain, where an arginine in position 107 in HLA-E*0101 is replaced by a glycine in HLA-E*0103, have been reported. The interaction between non-classical HLA-E molecule and CD94/NKG2A receptor plays a crucial role in the immunological response involving natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. All proteins forming CD94/NKG2 receptors are encoded by genes situated in the same cluster on chromosome 12, allowing tight control over the order of their expression. The inhibitory members of the NKG2 receptor family are available on the cell surface before activating the members to prevent autoimmune incidents during immune cells' ontogenesis. In the present review, the potential role of this interaction in viral infection, pregnancy and transplantation of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) is presented and discussed. The review will also include the effect of HLA-E polymorphism on the outcome of HSC transplants in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Iwaszko
- L. Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
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32
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Del Val M, Iborra S, Ramos M, Lázaro S. Generation of MHC class I ligands in the secretory and vesicular pathways. Cell Mol Life Sci 2011; 68:1543-52. [PMID: 21387141 PMCID: PMC11114776 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-011-0661-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2011] [Revised: 02/17/2011] [Accepted: 02/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
CD8(+) T lymphocytes screen the surface of all cells in the body to detect pathogen infection or oncogenic transformation. They recognize peptides derived from cellular proteins displayed at the plasma membrane by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. Peptides are mostly by-products of cytosolic proteolytic enzymes. Peptidic ligands of MHC class I molecules are also generated in the secretory and vesicular pathways. Features of protein substrates, of proteases and of available MHC class I molecules for loading peptides in these compartments shape a singular collection of ligands that also contain different, longer, and lower affinity peptides than ligands produced in the cytosol. Especially in individuals who lack the transporters associated with antigen processing, TAP, and in infected and tumor cells where TAP is blocked, which thus have no supply of peptides derived from the cytosol, MHC class I ligands generated in the secretory and vesicular pathways contribute to shaping the CD8(+) T lymphocyte response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Del Val
- Unidad de Inmunología Viral, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Nicolás Cabrera 1, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Campus Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain,
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33
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van Hall T, Oliveira CC, Joosten SA, Ottenhoff THM. The other Janus face of Qa-1 and HLA-E: diverse peptide repertoires in times of stress. Microbes Infect 2010; 12:910-8. [PMID: 20670688 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2010.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2010] [Accepted: 07/15/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The non-polymorphic MHC molecule Qa-1 and its human counterpart HLA-E present monomorphic signal peptides to innate receptors and thereby regulate lymphocyte activity. Under stress, this peptide content is replaced with a surprisingly diverse repertoire of novel peptides that are associated with heat-shock proteins, infectious agents or antigen processing defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorbald van Hall
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, K1-P, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands.
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Hofstetter AR, Sullivan LC, Lukacher AE, Brooks AG. Diverse roles of non-diverse molecules: MHC class Ib molecules in host defense and control of autoimmunity. Curr Opin Immunol 2010; 23:104-10. [PMID: 20970974 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2010.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2010] [Accepted: 09/27/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
While the prime function of classical MHC class I molecules (MHC-I) is to present peptide antigens to pathogen-specific cytotoxic T cells, non-classical MHC-I antigens perform a diverse array of functions in both innate and adaptive immunity. In this review we summarize recent evidence that non classical MHC-I molecules are not only recognized by pathogen-specific T cells but that they also serve as immunoregulatory molecules by stimulating a number of distinct non-conventional T cell subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia R Hofstetter
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
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35
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Pietra G, Romagnani C, Manzini C, Moretta L, Mingari MC. The emerging role of HLA-E-restricted CD8+ T lymphocytes in the adaptive immune response to pathogens and tumors. J Biomed Biotechnol 2010; 2010:907092. [PMID: 20634877 PMCID: PMC2896910 DOI: 10.1155/2010/907092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2010] [Accepted: 05/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E is a nonclassical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule of limited sequence variability that is expressed by most tissues albeit at low levels. HLA-E has been first described as the ligand of CD94/NKG2 receptors expressed mainly by natural killer (NK) cells, thus confining its role to the regulation of NK-cell function. However, recent evidences obtained by our and other groups indicate that HLA-E complexed with peptides can interact with alphabeta T-cell receptor (TCR) expressed on CD8(+) T cells. Although, HLA-E displays a selective preference for nonameric peptides, derived from the leader sequence of various HLA class I alleles, several reports indicate that it can present also "noncanonical" peptides derived from both stress-related and pathogen-associated proteins. Because HLA-E displays binding specificity for innate CD94/NKG2 receptors, as well as all the features of an antigen-presenting molecule, its role in both natural and acquired immune responses has recently been re-evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Pietra
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale and Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Chiara Romagnani
- Clinical Immunology Group, German Rheumatism Research Centre, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia Manzini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale and Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moretta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale and Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
- Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Mingari
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale and Centro di Eccellenza per le Ricerche Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, 16132 Genova, Italy
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36
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The Drosophila Crumbs signal peptide is unusually long and is a substrate for signal peptide peptidase. Eur J Cell Biol 2010; 89:449-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2010.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2009] [Revised: 01/25/2010] [Accepted: 02/01/2010] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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Oliveira CC, van Veelen PA, Querido B, de Ru A, Sluijter M, Laban S, Drijfhout JW, van der Burg SH, Offringa R, van Hall T. The nonpolymorphic MHC Qa-1b mediates CD8+ T cell surveillance of antigen-processing defects. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 207:207-21. [PMID: 20038604 PMCID: PMC2812552 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20091429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The nonclassical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Qa-1b accommodates monomorphic leader peptides and functions as a ligand for germ line receptors CD94/NKG2, which are expressed by natural killer cells and CD8+ T cells. We here describe that the conserved peptides are replaced by a novel peptide repertoire of surprising diversity as a result of impairments in the antigen-processing pathway. This novel peptide repertoire represents immunogenic neoantigens for CD8+ T cells, as we found that these Qa-1b–restricted T cells dominantly participated in the response to tumors with processing deficiencies. A surprisingly wide spectrum of target cells, irrespective of transformation status, MHC background, or type of processing deficiency, was recognized by this T cell subset, complying with the conserved nature of Qa-1b. Target cell recognition depended on T cell receptor and Qa-1b interaction, and immunization with identified peptide epitopes demonstrated in vivo priming of CD8+ T cells. Our data reveal that Qa-1b, and most likely its human homologue human leukocyte antigen-E, is important for the defense against processing-deficient cells by displacing the monomorphic leader peptides, which relieves the inhibition through CD94/NKG2A on lymphocytes, and by presenting a novel repertoire of immunogenic peptides, which recruits a subset of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia C Oliveira
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands
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38
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Sullivan LC, Clements CS, Rossjohn J, Brooks AG. The major histocompatibility complex class Ib molecule HLA-E at the interface between innate and adaptive immunity. TISSUE ANTIGENS 2008; 72:415-24. [PMID: 18946929 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0039.2008.01138.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The non-classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-E is the least polymorphic of all the MHC class I molecules and acts as a ligand for receptors of both the innate and the adaptive immune systems. The recognition of self-peptides complexed to HLA-E by the CD94-NKG2A receptor expressed by natural killer (NK) cells represents a crucial checkpoint for immune surveillance by NK cells. However, HLA-E can also be recognised by the T-cell receptor expressed by alphabeta CD8 T cells and therefore can play a role in the adaptive immune response to invading pathogens. The recent resolution of HLA-E in complex with both innate and adaptive ligands has provided insight into the dual role of this molecule in immunity.
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MESH Headings
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- HLA Antigens/chemistry
- HLA Antigens/immunology
- HLA Antigens/metabolism
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/chemistry
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/immunology
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/metabolism
- Humans
- Immunity, Active/immunology
- Immunity, Innate/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily D/immunology
- NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily D/metabolism
- Polymorphism, Genetic
- Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs/physiology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Natural Killer Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Natural Killer Cell/metabolism
- HLA-E Antigens
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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39
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Preprocalcitonin signal peptide generates a cytotoxic T lymphocyte-defined tumor epitope processed by a proteasome-independent pathway. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2008; 105:10119-24. [PMID: 18626012 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0802753105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We identified an antigen recognized on a human non-small-cell lung carcinoma by a cytotoxic T lymphocyte clone derived from autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. The antigenic peptide is presented by HLA-A2 and is encoded by the CALCA gene, which codes for calcitonin and for the alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide. The peptide is derived from the carboxy-terminal region of the preprocalcitonin signal peptide and is processed independently of proteasomes and the transporter associated with antigen processing. Processing occurs within the endoplasmic reticulum of all tumoral and normal cells tested, including dendritic cells, and it involves signal peptidase and the aspartic protease, signal peptide peptidase. The CALCA gene is overexpressed in medullary thyroid carcinomas and in several lung carcinomas compared with normal tissues, leading to recognition by the T cell clone. This new epitope is, therefore, a promising candidate for cancer immunotherapy.
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40
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Targett-Adams P, Hope G, Boulant S, McLauchlan J. Maturation of hepatitis C virus core protein by signal peptide peptidase is required for virus production. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:16850-9. [PMID: 18424431 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m802273200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Complete maturation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein requires coordinate cleavage by signal peptidase and an intramembrane protease, signal peptide peptidase. We show that reducing the intracellular levels of signal peptide peptidase lowers the titer of infectious virus released from cells, indicating that it plays an important role in virus production. Proteolysis by the enzyme at a signal peptide between core and the E1 glycoprotein is needed to permit targeting of core to lipid droplets. From mutagenesis studies, introducing mutations into the core-E1 signal peptide delayed the appearance of signal peptide peptidase-processed core until between 48 and 72 h after the beginning of the infectious cycle. Accumulation of mature core at these times coincided with its localization to lipid droplets and a rise in titer of infectious HCV. Therefore, processing of core by signal peptide peptidase is a critical event in the virus life cycle. To study the stage in virus production that may be blocked by interfering with intramembrane cleavage of core, we examined the distribution of viral RNA in cells harboring the core-E1 signal peptide mutant. Results revealed that colocalization of core with HCV RNA required processing of the protein by signal peptide peptidase. Our findings provide new insights into the sequence requirements for proteolysis by signal peptide peptidase. Moreover, they offer compelling evidence for a function for an intramembrane protease to facilitate the association of core with viral genomes, thereby creating putative sites for assembly of nascent virus particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Targett-Adams
- MRC Virology Unit, Institute of Virology, Glasgow G11 5JR, United Kingdom
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41
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Hoare HL, Sullivan LC, Clements CS, Ely LK, Beddoe T, Henderson KN, Lin J, Reid HH, Brooks AG, Rossjohn J. Subtle changes in peptide conformation profoundly affect recognition of the non-classical MHC class I molecule HLA-E by the CD94-NKG2 natural killer cell receptors. J Mol Biol 2008; 377:1297-303. [PMID: 18339401 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2008.01.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2007] [Revised: 01/18/2008] [Accepted: 01/22/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E is a non-classical major histocompatibility complex class I molecule that binds peptides derived from the leader sequences of other HLA class I molecules. Natural killer cell recognition of these HLA-E molecules, via the CD94-NKG2 natural killer family, represents a central innate mechanism for monitoring major histocompatibility complex expression levels within a cell. The leader sequence-derived peptides bound to HLA-E exhibit very limited polymorphism, yet subtle differences affect the recognition of HLA-E by the CD94-NKG2 receptors. To better understand the basis for this peptide-specific recognition, we determined the structure of HLA-E in complex with two leader peptides, namely, HLA-Cw*07 (VMAPRALLL), which is poorly recognised by CD94-NKG2 receptors, and HLA-G*01 (VMAPRTLFL), a high-affinity ligand of CD94-NKG2 receptors. A comparison of these structures, both of which were determined to 2.5-A resolution, revealed that allotypic variations in the bound leader sequences do not result in conformational changes in the HLA-E heavy chain, although subtle changes in the conformation of the peptide within the binding groove of HLA-E were evident. Accordingly, our data indicate that the CD94-NKG2 receptors interact with HLA-E in a manner that maximises the ability of the receptors to discriminate between subtle changes in both the sequence and conformation of peptides bound to HLA-E.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary L Hoare
- The Protein Crystallography Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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42
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Sullivan LC, Clements CS, Beddoe T, Johnson D, Hoare HL, Lin J, Huyton T, Hopkins EJ, Reid HH, Wilce MCJ, Kabat J, Borrego F, Coligan JE, Rossjohn J, Brooks AG. The heterodimeric assembly of the CD94-NKG2 receptor family and implications for human leukocyte antigen-E recognition. Immunity 2007; 27:900-11. [PMID: 18083576 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2007.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2007] [Revised: 09/27/2007] [Accepted: 10/25/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The CD94-NKG2 receptor family that regulates NK and T cells is unique among the lectin-like receptors encoded within the natural killer cell complex. The function of the CD94-NKG2 receptors is dictated by the pairing of the invariant CD94 polypeptide with specific NKG2 isoforms to form a family of functionally distinct heterodimeric receptors. However, the structural basis for this selective pairing and how they interact with their ligand, HLA-E, is unknown. We describe the 2.5 A resolution crystal structure of CD94-NKG2A in which the mode of dimerization contrasts with that of other homodimeric NK receptors. Despite structural homology between the CD94 and NKG2A subunits, the dimer interface is asymmetric, thereby providing a structural basis for the preferred heterodimeric assembly. Structure-based sequence comparisons of other CD94-NKG2 family members, combined with extensive mutagenesis studies on HLA-E and CD94-NKG2A, allows a model of the interaction between CD94-NKG2A and HLA-E to be established, in which the invariant CD94 chain plays a more dominant role in interacting with HLA-E in comparison to the variable NKG2 chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy C Sullivan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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43
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Marcilla M, Cragnolini JJ, López de Castro JA. Proteasome-independent HLA-B27 ligands arise mainly from small basic proteins. Mol Cell Proteomics 2007; 6:923-38. [PMID: 17308301 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m600302-mcp200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Many of the constitutive peptide ligands of HLA-B27, a molecule strongly associated with spondyloarthritis, are proteasome-independent. Stable isotope tagging, mass spectrometry, and epoxomicin-mediated inhibition were used to determine their percentage, structural features, and parental proteins. Of 104 molecular species examined, 29.8% were proteasome-independent, paralleling the level of HLA-B27 re-expression in the presence of epoxomicin after acid stripping. Proteasome-dependent and -independent ligands differed little in peptide motifs, flanking sequences, and cellular localization of the parental proteins. In contrast, whereas the former set arose from proteins whose size and isoelectric point distribution largely reflected those in the human proteome, proteasome-independent ligands, other than a few matching signal sequences, were almost totally derived from small (about 6-16.5 kDa) and basic proteins, which account for only 6.6% of the human proteome. Thus, a non-proteasomal proteolytic pathway with strong preference for small proteins is responsible for a significant fraction of the HLA-B27-bound peptide repertoire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Marcilla
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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44
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Borrego F, Masilamani M, Marusina AI, Tang X, Coligan JE. The CD94/NKG2 family of receptors: from molecules and cells to clinical relevance. Immunol Res 2007; 35:263-78. [PMID: 17172651 DOI: 10.1385/ir:35:3:263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/1999] [Revised: 11/30/1999] [Accepted: 11/30/1999] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Immune responses must be tightly regulated to avoid hyporesponsiveness on one hand or excessive inflammation and the development of autoimmunity (hyperresponsiveness) on the other hand. This balance is attained through the throttling of activating signals by inhibitory signals that ideally leads to an adequate immune response against an invader without excessive and extended inflammatory signals that promote the development of autoimmunity. The CD94/NKG2 family of receptors is composed of members with activating or inhibitory potential. These receptors are expressed predominantly on NK cells and a subset of CD8+ T cells, and they have been shown to play an important role in regulating responses against infected and tumorigenic cells. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge about this family of receptors, including ligand and receptor interaction, signaling, membrane dynamics, regulation of gene expression and their roles in disease regulation, infections, and cancer, and bone marrow transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Borrego
- Receptor Cell Biology Section, Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
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45
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Targett-Adams P, Schaller T, Hope G, Lanford RE, Lemon SM, Martin A, McLauchlan J. Signal Peptide Peptidase Cleavage of GB Virus B Core Protein Is Required for Productive Infection in Vivo. J Biol Chem 2006; 281:29221-7. [PMID: 16882659 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m605373200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of liver disease for which better therapies are urgently needed. Because a clearer understanding of the viral life cycle may suggest novel anti-viral approaches, we studied the role of host signal peptide peptidase (SPP) in viral infection. This intramembrane protease cleaves within a C-terminal signal sequence in the viral core protein, but the molecular determinants of cleavage and whether it is required for infection in vivo are unknown. To answer these questions, we studied SPP processing in GB virus B (GBV-B) infection. GBV-B is the closest phylogenetic relative of HCV and offers an accurate surrogate model for HCV infection. We demonstrate that SPP also processes GBV-B core protein and that a serine residue in the hydrophobic region of the signal sequence (present also in HCV) is critical for efficient SPP cleavage. The small size of the serine side chain combined with its ability to form intra- and interhelical hydrogen bonds likely contributes to recognition of the signal sequence as a substrate for SPP. By introducing mutations with differing effects on SPP processing into an infectious GBV-B molecular clone, we demonstrate that SPP processing of the core protein is required for productive infection in primates. These results broaden our understanding of the mechanism and requirements for SPP cleavage and reveal a functional role in vivo for intramembrane proteolysis in host-pathogen interactions. Moreover, they identify SPP as a potential therapeutic target for reducing the impact of HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Targett-Adams
- Medical Research Council Virology Unit, Church Street, Glasgow, G11 5JR, United Kingdom
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46
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Boulant S, Montserret R, Hope RG, Ratinier M, Targett-Adams P, Lavergne JP, Penin F, McLauchlan J. Structural determinants that target the hepatitis C virus core protein to lipid droplets. J Biol Chem 2006; 281:22236-22247. [PMID: 16704979 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m601031200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus core protein is targeted to lipid droplets, which serve as intracellular storage organelles, by its C-terminal domain, termed D2. From circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses, we demonstrate that the major structural elements within D2 consist of two amphipathic alpha-helices (Helix I and Helix II) separated by a hydrophobic loop. Both helices require a hydrophobic environment for folding, indicating that lipid interactions contribute to their structural integrity. Mutational studies revealed that a combination of Helix I, the hydrophobic loop, and Helix II is essential for efficient lipid droplet association and pointed to an in-plane membrane interaction of the two helices at the phospholipid layer interface. Aside from lipid droplet association, membrane interaction of D2 is necessary for folding and stability of core following maturation at the endoplasmic reticulum membrane by signal peptide peptidase. These studies identify critical determinants within a targeting domain that enable trafficking and attachment of a viral protein to lipid droplets. They also serve as a unique model for elucidating the specificity of protein-lipid interactions between two membrane-bound organelles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steeve Boulant
- Medical Research Council Virology Unit, Institute of Virology, Church St., Glasgow G11 5JR, Scotland, United Kingdom; Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, CNRS-UMR 5086, IFR128 BioSciences, University of Lyon, 7 Passage du Vercors, Lyon-Gerland, Lyon F-69367, Cedex 07, France
| | - Roland Montserret
- Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, CNRS-UMR 5086, IFR128 BioSciences, University of Lyon, 7 Passage du Vercors, Lyon-Gerland, Lyon F-69367, Cedex 07, France
| | - R Graham Hope
- Medical Research Council Virology Unit, Institute of Virology, Church St., Glasgow G11 5JR, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Maxime Ratinier
- Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, CNRS-UMR 5086, IFR128 BioSciences, University of Lyon, 7 Passage du Vercors, Lyon-Gerland, Lyon F-69367, Cedex 07, France
| | - Paul Targett-Adams
- Medical Research Council Virology Unit, Institute of Virology, Church St., Glasgow G11 5JR, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Pierre Lavergne
- Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, CNRS-UMR 5086, IFR128 BioSciences, University of Lyon, 7 Passage du Vercors, Lyon-Gerland, Lyon F-69367, Cedex 07, France
| | - Francois Penin
- Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, CNRS-UMR 5086, IFR128 BioSciences, University of Lyon, 7 Passage du Vercors, Lyon-Gerland, Lyon F-69367, Cedex 07, France.
| | - John McLauchlan
- Medical Research Council Virology Unit, Institute of Virology, Church St., Glasgow G11 5JR, Scotland, United Kingdom.
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47
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Chen N, McCarthy C, Drakesmith H, Li D, Cerundolo V, McMichael AJ, Screaton GR, Xu XN. HIV-1 down-regulates the expression of CD1d via Nef. Eur J Immunol 2006; 36:278-86. [PMID: 16385629 DOI: 10.1002/eji.200535487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
HIV-1 has evolved several strategies to subvert host immune responses to the infected cells. One is to inhibit CTL recognition by HIV-1 Nef-mediated down-regulation of MHC-I expression on the surface of infected cells. Here we report that Nef also reduces the expression of the non-classical MHC-I like CD1d molecule, a third lineage of antigen-presenting molecule, which presents lipid antigens. Nef achieves this by increasing internalization of CD1d molecules from the cell surface and retaining CD1d in the trans-Golgi-network (TGN). This effect depends on a tyrosine-based motif present in CD1 cytoplasmic tail as well as the actions of four Nef motifs, which are known to be involved in the down-regulation of MHC-I or CD4. These results suggest that Nef regulates intracellular trafficking of CD1d via a distinct but shared pathway with MHC-I and CD4. Thus, HIV-1 reduces the visibility of its infected cells not only to MHC-I-restricted T cells but also to CD1d-restricted NKT cells. Given that CD1d-restricted T cells have unique effector and regulatory functions in innate and adapted immune responses as compared with their counterpart MHC-restricted T cells, our data provide additional new insights into molecular basis of HIV-1-mediated damage to the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Chen
- MRC Human Immunology Unit and Molecular Immunology Group, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
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48
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Majeau N, Gagné V, Bolduc M, Leclerc D. Signal peptide peptidase promotes the formation of hepatitis C virus non-enveloped particles and is captured on the viral membrane during assembly. J Gen Virol 2006; 86:3055-3064. [PMID: 16227228 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.81174-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The maturation of the core protein (C) of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is controlled by the signal peptidase (sp) and signal peptide peptidase (spp) of the host. To date, it remains unknown whether spp cleavage influences viral infectivity and/or the assembly process. Here, evidence is provided that cleavage by spp is not required for assembly of nucleocapsid-like particles (NLPs) in yeast (Pichia pastoris). The immature NLPs (not processed by spp) show a density of 1.11 g ml(-1) on sucrose gradients and a diameter of 50 nm. Co-expression of human spp (hspp) with C generates the 21 kDa mature form of the protein and promotes the accumulation of non-enveloped particles. The amount of non-enveloped particles accumulating in the cell was correlated directly with the expression level of hspp. Furthermore, immunocapture studies showed that hspp was embedded in the membranes of enveloped particles. These results suggest that maturation of the C protein can occur after formation of the enveloped particles and that the abundance of hspp influences the types of particle accumulating in the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Majeau
- Infectious Disease Research Centre, Pav. CHUL, University of Laval, 2705 boulevard Laurier, Québec (Québec), Canada G1V 4G2
| | - Valérie Gagné
- Infectious Disease Research Centre, Pav. CHUL, University of Laval, 2705 boulevard Laurier, Québec (Québec), Canada G1V 4G2
| | - Marilène Bolduc
- Infectious Disease Research Centre, Pav. CHUL, University of Laval, 2705 boulevard Laurier, Québec (Québec), Canada G1V 4G2
| | - Denis Leclerc
- Infectious Disease Research Centre, Pav. CHUL, University of Laval, 2705 boulevard Laurier, Québec (Québec), Canada G1V 4G2
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Forte P, Baumann BC, Weiss EH, Seebach JD. HLA-E expression on porcine cells: protection from human NK cytotoxicity depends on peptide loading. Am J Transplant 2005; 5:2085-93. [PMID: 16095487 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2005.00987.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Human NK cells lyse porcine cells and may play an important role in the cell-mediated rejection of pig-to-human xenografts. Lysis is probably a consequence of the failure of human MHC-specific killer inhibitory receptors to recognize porcine MHC class I molecules. A majority of activated human NK cells express the HLA-E-specific inhibitory receptor CD94/NKG2A. The aim of this study was therefore to test the hypothesis that stable surface expression of HLA-E on porcine cells protects against xenogeneic NK-mediated cytotoxicity. Porcine lymphoblastoid (13 271) and endothelial (pEC) cell lines were transfected with constructs coding for HLA-E together with the leader sequence of HLA-B7 or -A2. HLA-E was correctly expressed on 13 271 cells while pEC required peptide-pulsing and/or IFN-gamma stimulation to express the HLA-E complex on the cell surface. HLA-E-expressing porcine cells were partially protected from lysis mediated by human polyclonal NK populations and completely protected from killing by NKG2Abright NK clones. In conclusion, the capability of different porcine cell types to express HLA-E on the cell surface can differ considerably depending decisively on the availability of peptides. These findings are important for the applicability of transgenic HLA-E expression as an approach to protect porcine tissues from human NK cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Forte
- Department of Internal Medicine, Laboratory for Transplantation Immunology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Abstract
Our understanding of the classical MHC class I molecules (MHC class Ia molecules) has long focused on their extreme polymorphism. These molecules present peptides to T cells and are central to discrimination between self and non-self. By contrast, the functions of the non-polymorphic MHC class I molecules (MHC class Ib molecules) have been elusive, but emerging evidence reveals that, in addition to antigen presentation, MHC class Ib molecules are involved in immunoregulation. As we discuss here, the subset of MHC class Ib molecules that presents peptides to T cells bridges innate and acquired immunity, and this provides insights into the origins of acquired immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Rodgers
- Department of Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
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