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Shi Y, Wang Z, Xu J, Niu W, Wu Y, Guo H, Shi J, Li Z, Fu B, Hong Y, Wang Z, Guo W, Chen D, Li X, Li Q, Wang S, Gao J, Sun A, Xiao Y, Cao J, Fu L, Wu Y, Zhang T, Xia N, Yuan Q. TCR-like bispecific antibodies toward eliminating infected hepatocytes in HBV mouse models. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2387448. [PMID: 39109538 PMCID: PMC11313007 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2387448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Therapeutics for eradicating hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are still limited and current nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) and interferon are effective in controlling viral replication and improving liver health, but they cannot completely eradicate the hepatitis B virus and only a very small number of patients are cured of it. The TCR-like antibodies recognizing viral peptides presented on human leukocyte antigens (HLA) provide possible tools for targeting and eliminating HBV-infected hepatocytes. Here, we generated three TCR-like antibodies targeting three different HLA-A2.1-presented peptides derived from HBV core and surface proteins. Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) were developed by fuzing variable fragments of these TCR-like mAbs with an anti-CD3ϵ antibody. Our data demonstrate that the BsAbs could act as T cell engagers, effectively redirecting and activating T cells to target HBV-infected hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo. In HBV-persistent mice expressing human HLA-A2.1, two infusions of BsAbs induced marked and sustained suppression in serum HBsAg levels and also reduced the numbers of HBV-positive hepatocytes. These findings highlighted the therapeutic potential of TCR-like BsAbs as a new strategy to cure hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zihan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingjing Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenxia Niu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yubin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huiyu Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinmiao Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zonglin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Baorong Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yunda Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zikang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenjie Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dabing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xingling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shaojuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiahua Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Aling Sun
- Department of Infectious Disease, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yaosheng Xiao
- Department of Infectious Disease, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiali Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Women and Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lijuan Fu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Xiang’an Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yangtao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tianying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ningshao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
| | - Quan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Public Health & School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
- National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, People’s Republic of China
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Song M, Liu X, Shen W, Wang Z, Wu J, Jiang J, Liu Y, Xu T, Bian T, Zhang M, Sun W, Huang M, Ji N. IFN-γ decreases PD-1 in T lymphocytes from convalescent COVID-19 patients via the AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5038. [PMID: 38424104 PMCID: PMC10904811 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55191-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-COVID-19 syndrome may be associated with the abnormal immune status. Compared with the unexposed age-matched elder group, PD-1 in the CD8+ T cells from recovered COVID-19 patients was significantly lower. IFN-γ in the plasma of COVID-19 convalescent patients was increased, which inhibited PD-1 expression in CD8+ T cells from COVID-19 convalescent patients. scRNA-seq bioinformatics analysis revealed that AKT/GSK3β may regulate the INF-γ/PD-1 axis in CD8+ T cells from COVID-19 convalescent patients. In parallel, an IFN-γ neutralizing antibody reduced AKT and increased GSK3β in PBMCs. An AKT agonist (SC79) significantly decreased p-GSK3β. Moreover, AKT decreased PD-1 on CD8+ T cells, and GSK3β increased PD-1 on CD8+ T cells according to flow cytometry analysis. Collectively, we demonstrated that recovered COVID-19 patients may develop long COVID. Increased IFN-γ in the plasma of recovered Wuhan COVID-19 patients contributed to PD-1 downregulation on CD8+ T cells by regulating the AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijuan Song
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jiangsu Province People's Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiangqun Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Xuzhou Municipal Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Weiyu Shen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Zhengxia Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jiangsu Province People's Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingjing Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jiangsu Province People's Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingxian Jiang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jiangsu Province People's Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanan Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jiangsu Province People's Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Tingting Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jiangsu Province People's Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Tao Bian
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Mingshun Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Antibody Drug, NHC Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique, Department of Immunology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Xishan People's Hospital of Wuxi City, Wuxi, China.
| | - Mao Huang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jiangsu Province People's Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing, China.
| | - Ningfei Ji
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Jiangsu Province People's Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing, China.
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Walker A, Schwarz T, Brinkmann-Paulukat J, Wisskirchen K, Menne C, Alizei ES, Kefalakes H, Theissen M, Hoffmann D, Schulze zur Wiesch J, Maini MK, Cornberg M, Kraft ARM, Keitel V, Bock HH, Horn PA, Thimme R, Wedemeyer H, Heinemann FM, Luedde T, Neumann-Haefelin C, Protzer U, Timm J. Immune escape pathways from the HBV core 18-27 CD8 T cell response are driven by individual HLA class I alleles. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1045498. [PMID: 36439181 PMCID: PMC9686862 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1045498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and aims There is growing interest in T cell-based immune therapies for a functional cure of chronic HBV infection including check-point inhibition, T cell-targeted vaccines or TCR-grafted effector cells. All these approaches depend on recognition of HLA class I-presented viral peptides. The HBV core region 18-27 is an immunodominant target of CD8+ T cells and represents the prime target for T cell-based therapies. Here, a high-resolution analysis of the core18-27 specific CD8+ T cell and the selected escape pathways was performed. Methods HLA class I typing and viral sequence analyses were performed for 464 patients with chronic HBV infection. HBV-specific CD8+ T-cell responses against the prototype and epitope variants were characterized by flow cytometry. Results Consistent with promiscuous presentation of the core18-27 epitope, antigen-specific T cells were detected in patients carrying HLA-A*02:01, HLA-B*35:01, HLA-B*35:03 or HLA-B*51:01. Sequence analysis confirmed reproducible selection pressure on the core18-27 epitope in the context of these alleles. Interestingly, the selected immune escape pathways depend on the presenting HLA-class I-molecule. Although cross-reactive T cells were observed, some epitope variants achieved functional escape by impaired TCR-interaction or disturbed antigen processing. Of note, selection of epitope variants was exclusively observed in HBeAg negative HBV infection and here, detection of variants associated with significantly greater magnitude of the CD8 T cell response compared to absence of variants. Conclusion The core18-27 epitope is highly variable and under heavy selection pressure in the context of different HLA class I-molecules. Some epitope variants showed evidence for impaired antigen processing and reduced presentation. Viruses carrying such escape substitutions will be less susceptible to CD8+ T cell responses and should be considered for T cell-based therapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Walker
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tatjana Schwarz
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Janine Brinkmann-Paulukat
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Karin Wisskirchen
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christopher Menne
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Elahe Salimi Alizei
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Helenie Kefalakes
- Institute of Virology, University of Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Martin Theissen
- Research Group Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Daniel Hoffmann
- Research Group Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Julian Schulze zur Wiesch
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Site Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mala K. Maini
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Markus Cornberg
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Site Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anke RM Kraft
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Site Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Verena Keitel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hans H. Bock
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Peter A. Horn
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Robert Thimme
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Heiner Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Site Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Falko M. Heinemann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Tom Luedde
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph Neumann-Haefelin
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jörg Timm
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Ding Y, Zhou Z, Li X, Zhao C, Jin X, Liu X, Wu Y, Mei X, Li J, Qiu J, Shen C. Screening and Identification of HBV Epitopes Restricted by Multiple Prevalent HLA-A Allotypes. Front Immunol 2022; 13:847105. [PMID: 35464415 PMCID: PMC9021956 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.847105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although host T cell immune responses to hepatitis B virus (HBV) have been demonstrated to have important influences on the outcome of HBV infection, the development of T cell epitope-based vaccine and T cell therapy and the clinical evaluation of specific T cell function are currently hampered markedly by the lack of validated HBV T cell epitopes covering broad patients. This study aimed to screen T cell epitopes spanning overall HBsAg, HBeAg, HBx and HBpol proteins and presenting by thirteen prevalent human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A allotypes which gather a total gene frequency of around 95% in China and Northeast Asia populations. 187 epitopes were in silico predicted. Of which, 62 epitopes were then functionally validated as real-world HBV T cell epitopes by ex vivo IFN-γ ELISPOT assay and in vitro co-cultures using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from HBV infected patients. Furthermore, the HLA-A cross-restrictions of each epitope were identified by peptide competitive binding assay using transfected HMy2.CIR cell lines, and by HLA-A/peptide docking as well as molecular dynamic simulation. Finally, a peptide library containing 105 validated epitopes which cross-binding by 13 prevalent HLA-A allotypes were used in ELISPOT assay to enumerate HBV-specific T cells for 116 patients with HBV infection. The spot forming units (SFUs) was significantly correlated with serum HBsAg level as confirmed by multivariate linear regression analysis. This study functionally validated 62 T cell epitopes from HBV main proteins and elucidated their HLA-A restrictions and provided an alternative ELISPOT assay using validated epitope peptides rather than conventional overlapping peptides for the clinical evaluation of HBV-specific T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Ding
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zining Zhou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xingyu Li
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Jin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaotao Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yandan Wu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xueyin Mei
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian Li
- Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Qiu
- Division of Hepatitis, Nanjing Second Hospital, Nanjing Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Chuanlai Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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A Systematic Review of T Cell Epitopes Defined from the Proteome of Hepatitis B Virus. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020257. [PMID: 35214714 PMCID: PMC8878595 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a worldwide health problem and no eradicative therapy is currently available. Host T cell immune responses have crucial influences on the outcome of HBV infection, however the development of therapeutic vaccines, T cell therapies and the clinical evaluation of HBV-specific T cell responses are hampered markedly by the lack of validated T cell epitopes. This review presented a map of T cell epitopes functionally validated from HBV antigens during the past 33 years; the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) supertypes to present these epitopes, and the methods to screen and identify T cell epitopes. To the best of our knowledge, a total of 205 CD8+ T cell epitopes and 79 CD4+ T cell epitopes have been defined from HBV antigens by cellular functional experiments thus far, but most are restricted to several common HLA supertypes, such as HLA-A0201, A2402, B0702, DR04, and DR12 molecules. Therefore, the currently defined T cell epitope repertoire cannot cover the major populations with HLA diversity in an indicated geographic region. More researches are needed to dissect a more comprehensive map of T cell epitopes, which covers overall HBV proteome and global patients.
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Bilich T, Roerden M, Maringer Y, Nelde A, Heitmann JS, Dubbelaar ML, Peter A, Hörber S, Bauer J, Rieth J, Wacker M, Berner F, Flatz L, Held S, Brossart P, Märklin M, Wagner P, Erne E, Klein R, Rammensee HG, Salih HR, Walz JS. Preexisting and Post-COVID-19 Immune Responses to SARS-CoV-2 in Patients with Cancer. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:1982-1995. [PMID: 34011563 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-21-0191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Patients with cancer, in particular patients with hematologic malignancies, are at increased risk for critical illness upon COVID-19. We here assessed antibody as well as CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses in unexposed and SARS-CoV-2-infected patients with cancer to characterize SARS-CoV-2 immunity and to identify immunologic parameters contributing to COVID-19 outcome. Unexposed patients with hematologic malignancies presented with reduced prevalence of preexisting SARS-CoV-2 cross-reactive CD4+ T-cell responses and signs of T-cell exhaustion compared with patients with solid tumors and healthy volunteers. Whereas SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses did not differ between patients with COVID-19 and cancer and healthy volunteers, intensity, expandability, and diversity of SARS-CoV-2 T-cell responses were profoundly reduced in patients with cancer, and the latter associated with a severe course of COVID-19. This identifies impaired SARS-CoV-2 T-cell immunity as a potential determinant for dismal outcome of COVID-19 in patients with cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: This first comprehensive analysis of SARS-CoV-2 immune responses in patients with cancer reports on the potential implications of impaired SARS-CoV-2 T-cell responses for understanding pathophysiology and predicting severity of COVID-19, which in turn might allow for the development of therapeutic measures and vaccines for this vulnerable patient population.See related commentary by Salomé and Horowitz, p. 1877.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1861.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Bilich
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Malte Roerden
- Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Yacine Maringer
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Annika Nelde
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonas S Heitmann
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marissa L Dubbelaar
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Quantitative Biology Center (QBiC), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Peter
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Department for Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Hörber
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Department for Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jens Bauer
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonas Rieth
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marcel Wacker
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Fiamma Berner
- Institute of Immunobiology, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Flatz
- Institute of Immunobiology, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland.,Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Held
- Department for Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Brossart
- Department for Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Melanie Märklin
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Philipp Wagner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Eva Erne
- Department of Urology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Reinhild Klein
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Rammensee
- Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), partner site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Helmut R Salih
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Juliane S Walz
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. .,Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies," University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases (RBCT), Stuttgart, Germany
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7
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Hoogeveen RC, Boonstra A. Checkpoint Inhibitors and Therapeutic Vaccines for the Treatment of Chronic HBV Infection. Front Immunol 2020; 11:401. [PMID: 32194573 PMCID: PMC7064714 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is highly effective in suppressing viral replication, but complete cure is rarely achieved. In recent years, substantial progress has been made in the development of immunotherapy to treat cancer. Applying these therapies to improve the management of chronic HBV infection is now being attempted, and has become an area of active research. Immunotherapy with vaccines and checkpoint inhibitors can boost T cell functions in vitro, and therefore may be used to reinvigorate the impaired HBV-specific T cell response. However, whether these approaches will suffice and restore antiviral T cell immunity to induce long-term HBV control remains an open question. Recent efforts have begun to describe the phenotype and function of HBV-specific T cells on the single epitope level. An improved understanding of differing T cell specificities and their contribution to HBV control will be instrumental for advancement of the field. In this review, we outline correlates of successful versus inadequate T cell responses to HBV, and discuss the rationale behind therapeutic vaccines and checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben C Hoogeveen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - André Boonstra
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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8
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Guasp P, Lorente E, Martín-Esteban A, Barnea E, Romania P, Fruci D, Kuiper JW, Admon A, López de Castro JA. Redundancy and Complementarity between ERAP1 and ERAP2 Revealed by their Effects on the Behcet's Disease-associated HLA-B*51 Peptidome. Mol Cell Proteomics 2019; 18:1491-1510. [PMID: 31092671 PMCID: PMC6682995 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra119.001515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidases ERAP1 and ERAP2 trim peptides to be loaded onto HLA molecules, including the main risk factor for Behçet's disease HLA-B*51. ERAP1 is also a risk factor among HLA-B*51-positive individuals, whereas no association is known with ERAP2. This study addressed the mutual relationships between both enzymes in the processing of an HLA-bound peptidome, interrogating their differential association with Behçet's disease. CRISPR/Cas9 was used to generate knock outs of ERAP1, ERAP2 or both from transfectant 721.221-HLA-B*51:01 cells. The surface expression of HLA-B*51 was reduced in all cases. The effects of depleting each or both enzymes on the B*51:01 peptidome were analyzed by quantitative label-free mass spectrometry. Substantial quantitative alterations of peptide length, subpeptidome balance, N-terminal residue usage, affinity and presentation of noncanonical ligands were observed. These effects were often different in the presence or absence of the other enzyme, revealing their mutual dependence. In the absence of ERAP1, ERAP2 showed similar and significant processing of B*51:01 ligands, indicating functional redundancy. The high overlap between the peptidomes of wildtype and double KO cells indicates that a large majority of B*51:01 ligands are present in the ER even in the absence of ERAP1/ERAP2. These results indicate that both enzymes have distinct, but complementary and partially redundant effects on the B*51:01 peptidome, leading to its optimization and maximal surface expression. The distinct effects of both enzymes on the HLA-B*51 peptidome provide a basis for their differential association with Behçet's disease and suggest a pathogenetic role of the B*51:01 peptidome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Guasp
- ‡Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Lorente
- ‡Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Eilon Barnea
- §Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Paolo Romania
- ¶Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Department, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Doriana Fruci
- ¶Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Department, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - JonasJ W Kuiper
- ‖Department of Ophthalmology, Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Arie Admon
- §Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
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9
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Schuch A, Salimi Alizei E, Heim K, Wieland D, Kiraithe MM, Kemming J, Llewellyn-Lacey S, Sogukpinar Ö, Ni Y, Urban S, Zimmermann P, Nassal M, Emmerich F, Price DA, Bengsch B, Luxenburger H, Neumann-Haefelin C, Hofmann M, Thimme R. Phenotypic and functional differences of HBV core-specific versus HBV polymerase-specific CD8+ T cells in chronically HBV-infected patients with low viral load. Gut 2019; 68:905-915. [PMID: 30622109 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2018-316641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A hallmark of chronic HBV (cHBV) infection is the presence of impaired HBV-specific CD8+ T cell responses. Functional T cell exhaustion induced by persistent antigen stimulation is considered a major mechanism underlying this impairment. However, due to their low frequencies in chronic infection, it is currently unknown whether HBV-specific CD8+ T cells targeting different epitopes are similarly impaired and share molecular profiles indicative of T cell exhaustion. DESIGN By applying peptide-loaded MHC I tetramer-based enrichment, we could detect HBV-specific CD8+ T cells targeting epitopes in the HBV core and the polymerase proteins in the majority of 85 tested cHBV patients with low viral loads. Lower detection rates were obtained for envelope-specific CD8+ T cells. Subsequently, we performed phenotypic and functional in-depth analyses. RESULTS HBV-specific CD8+ T cells are not terminally exhausted but rather exhibit a memory-like phenotype in patients with low viral load possibly reflecting weak ongoing cognate antigen recognition. Moreover, HBV-specific CD8+ T cells targeting core versus polymerase epitopes significantly differed in frequency, phenotype and function. In particular, in comparison with core-specific CD8+ T cells, a higher frequency of polymerase-specific CD8+ T cells expressed CD38, KLRG1 and Eomes accompanied by low T-bet expression and downregulated CD127 indicative of a more severe T cell exhaustion. In addition, polymerase-specific CD8+ T cells exhibited a reduced expansion capacity that was linked to a dysbalanced TCF1/BCL2 expression. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the molecular mechanisms underlying impaired T cell responses differ with respect to the targeted HBV antigens. These results have potential implications for immunotherapeutic approaches in HBV cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Schuch
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Elahe Salimi Alizei
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Kathrin Heim
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Wieland
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael Muthamia Kiraithe
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Janine Kemming
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sian Llewellyn-Lacey
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Özlem Sogukpinar
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Yi Ni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Urban
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Zimmermann
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael Nassal
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Florian Emmerich
- Institute for Cell and Gene Therapy, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - David A Price
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Bertram Bengsch
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hendrik Luxenburger
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Neumann-Haefelin
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maike Hofmann
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Robert Thimme
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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10
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Kefalakes H, Koh C, Sidney J, Amanakis G, Sette A, Heller T, Rehermann B. Hepatitis D Virus-Specific CD8 + T Cells Have a Memory-Like Phenotype Associated With Viral Immune Escape in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis D Virus Infection. Gastroenterology 2019; 156:1805-1819.e9. [PMID: 30664876 PMCID: PMC7367679 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIM Hepatitis D virus (HDV) superinfection of patients with chronic HBV infection results in rapid progression to liver cirrhosis. Little is known about HDV-specific T cells and how they contribute to the antiviral immune response and liver disease pathogenesis. METHODS We isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 28 patients with chronic HDV and HBV infection, identified HDV-specific CD8+ T-cell epitopes, and characterized HDV-specific CD8+ T cells. We associated these with HDV sequence variations and clinical features of patients. RESULTS We identified 6 CD8+ T-cell epitopes; several were restricted by multiple HLA class I alleles. HDV-specific CD8+ T cells were as frequent as HBV-specific CD8+ T cells but were less frequent than T cells with specificity for cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, or influenza virus. The ex vivo frequency of activated HDV-specific CD8+ T cells correlated with transaminase activity. CD8+ T-cell production of interferon gamma after stimulation with HDV peptides correlated inversely with HDV titer. HDV-specific CD8+ T cells did not express the terminal differentiation marker CD57, and fewer HDV-specific than Epstein-Barr virus-specific CD8+ T cells were 2B4+CD160+PD1+, a characteristic of exhausted cells. Approximately half of the HDV-specific CD8+ T cells had a memory-like PD1+CD127+TCF1hiT-betlow phenotype, which associated with HDV sequence variants with reduced HLA binding and reduced T-cell activation. CONCLUSIONS CD8+ T cells isolated from patients with chronic HDV and HBV infection recognize HDV epitopes presented by multiple HLA molecules. The subset of activated HDV-specific CD8+ T cells targets conserved epitopes and likely contributes to disease progression. The subset of memory-like HDV-specific CD8+ T cells is functional but unable to clear HDV because of the presence of escape variants. ClinicalTrials.gov, Numbers: NCT02511431, NCT00023322, NCT01495585, and NCT00001971. GenBank accession, Number: MK333199-333226.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helenie Kefalakes
- Immunology Section, Liver Diseases Branch, National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of
Health, DHHS, Bethesda, MD, USA (HK, visiting fellow; BR; senior investigator)
| | - Christopher Koh
- Translational Hepatology Section, Liver Diseases Branch,
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National
Institutes of Health, DHHS, Bethesda, MD, USA (CK, staff clinician; TH, senior
investigator)
| | - John Sidney
- La Jolla Institute of Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA (JS,
Scientific Associate; AS, Center Head and Division Head)
| | - Georgios Amanakis
- Laboratory of Cardiac Physiology, Cardiovascular Branch,
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, DHHS,
Bethesda, MD, USA (GA, visiting fellow)
| | - Alessandro Sette
- La Jolla Institute of Immunology, La Jolla, CA, USA (JS,
Scientific Associate; AS, Center Head and Division Head)
| | - Theo Heller
- Translational Hepatology Section, Liver Diseases Branch,
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National
Institutes of Health, DHHS, Bethesda, MD, USA (CK, staff clinician; TH, senior
investigator)
| | - Barbara Rehermann
- Immunology Section, Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland.
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11
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Fang J, Zhuge L, Rao H, Huang S, Jin L, Li J. Increased Levels of miR-155 are Related to Higher T-Cell Activation in the Peripheral Blood of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2019; 23:118-123. [PMID: 30735455 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2018.0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) is an important regulator of immune responses in humans. However, its role in T-cell activation in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty-one patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 77 HBV carriers, and 51 healthy controls were recruited. HBV DNA and serologic tests were carried out for each subject. Levels of miR-155 in peripheral blood were detected by quantitative reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction. Immune activation of T-cells was determined by detection of surface molecules CD38 and HLA-DR using flow cytometry. RESULTS We found higher miR-155 levels in CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells of CHB patients than HBV carriers or healthy controls (p < 0.01), moreover, miR-155 levels in the CD8+ T-cells of HBV carriers were higher than in healthy controls (p < 0.01). Furthermore, immune activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in CHB patients was much higher than in healthy controls (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that miR-155 expression positively correlates with T-cell activation, especially in CHB patients, and is a potential biomarker for immune activation and disease progression in HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajie Fang
- 1 Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lu Zhuge
- 2 Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Heping Rao
- 3 Department of Nursing, School of Medicine, Quzhou College of Technology, Quzhou China
| | - Shanshan Huang
- 2 Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lingxiang Jin
- 2 Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jie Li
- 2 Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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12
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Cheng Y, Zhu YO, Becht E, Aw P, Chen J, Poidinger M, de Sessions PF, Hibberd ML, Bertoletti A, Lim SG, Newell EW. Multifactorial heterogeneity of virus-specific T cells and association with the progression of human chronic hepatitis B infection. Sci Immunol 2019; 4:4/32/eaau6905. [DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.aau6905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Associations between chronic antigen stimulation, T cell dysfunction, and the expression of various inhibitory receptors are well characterized in several mouse and human systems. During chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (CHB), T cell responses are blunted with low frequencies of virus-specific T cells observed, making these parameters difficult to study. Here, using mass cytometry and a highly multiplexed combinatorial peptide–major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) tetramer strategy that allows for the detection of rare antigen-specific T cells, we simultaneously probed 484 unique HLA-A*1101–restricted epitopes spanning the entire HBV genome on T cells from patients at various stages of CHB. Numerous HBV-specific T cell populations were detected, validated, and profiled. T cells specific for two epitopes (HBVpol387and HBVcore169) displayed differing and complex heterogeneities that were associated with the disease progression, and the expression of inhibitory receptors on these cells was not linearly related with their extent of T cell dysfunction. For HBVcore169-specific CD8+T cells, we found cellular markers associated with long-term memory, polyfunctionality, and the presence of several previously unidentified public TCR clones that correlated with viral control. Using high-dimensional trajectory analysis of these cellular phenotypes, a pseudo-time metric was constructed that fit with the status of viral infection in corresponding patients. This was validated in a longitudinal cohort of patients undergoing antiviral therapy. Our study uncovers complex relationships of inhibitory receptors between the profiles of antigen-specific T cells and the status of CHB with implications for new strategies of therapeutic intervention.
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13
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van der Ree MH, Jansen L, Welkers MRA, Reesink HW, Feenstra KA, Kootstra NA. Deep sequencing identifies hepatitis B virus core protein signatures in chronic hepatitis B patients. Antiviral Res 2018; 158:213-225. [PMID: 30121196 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to identify HBc amino acid differences between subgroups of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. METHODS Deep sequencing of HBc was performed in samples of 89 CHB patients (42 HBeAg positive, 47 HBeAg negative). Amino acid types were compared using Sequence Harmony to identify subgroup specific sites between HBeAg-positive and -negative patients, and between patients with combined response and non-response to peginterferon/adefovir combination therapy. RESULTS We identified 54 positions in HBc where the frequency of appearing amino acids was significantly different between HBeAg-positive and -negative patients. In HBeAg negative patients, 22 positions in HBc were identified which differed between patients with treatment response and those with non-response. The fraction non-consensus sequence on selected positions was significantly higher in HBeAg-negative patients, and was negatively correlated with HBV DNA and HBsAg levels. CONCLUSIONS Sequence Harmony identified a number of amino acid changes associated with HBeAg-status and response to peginterferon/adefovir combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meike H van der Ree
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Louis Jansen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Matthijs R A Welkers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hendrik W Reesink
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - K Anton Feenstra
- Center for Integrative Bioinformatics VU (IBIVU), Department of Computer Science, Amsterdam Institute for Molecules, Medicine and Systems (AIMMS), VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Neeltje A Kootstra
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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14
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CD8 + T-Cell Response-Associated Evolution of Hepatitis B Virus Core Protein and Disease Progress. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.02120-17. [PMID: 29950410 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02120-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Under the immune pressure of cytotoxic T cells (CTLs), hepatitis B virus (HBV) evolves to accumulate mutations more likely within epitopes to evade immune detection. However, little is known about the specific patterns of the immune pressure-associated HBV mutation of T-cell epitopes and their link to disease progression. Here, we observed a correlation of the accumulated variants on HBV core protein (HBc) with the disease severity of HBV infection. Further analysis indicated that these substitutions were mostly located within CD8+ T-cell epitopes of HBc protein, which were systematically screened and identified in an unbiased manner in our study. From individual peptide level to the human leukocyte antigen I (HLA-I)-restricted population level, we elucidated that the mutations in these well-defined HLA-I-restricted T-cell epitopes significantly decreased antiviral activity-specific CTLs and were positively associated with clinical parameters and disease progression in HBV-infected patients. The molecular pattern for viral epitope variations based on the sequencing of 105 HBV virus genomes indicated that the C-terminal portion (Pc), especially the Pc-1 and Pc-2 positions, have the highest mutation rates. Further structural analysis of HLA-A*02 complexed to diverse CD8+ T-cell epitopes revealed that the highly variable C-terminal bulged peak of M-shaped HBc-derived epitopes are solvent exposed, and most of the CDR3βs of the T-cell receptor hover over them. These data shed light on the molecular and immunological mechanisms of T-cell immunity-associated viral evolution in hepatitis B progression, which is beneficial for designing immunotherapies and vaccines.IMPORTANCE The specific patterns of sequence polymorphisms of T-cell epitopes and the immune mechanisms of the HBV epitope mutation-linked disease progression are largely unclear. In this study, we systematically evaluated the contribution of CD8+ T cells to the disease progress-associated evolution of HBV. By evaluation of patient T-cell responses based on the peptide repertoire, we comprehensively characterized the association of clinical parameters in chronic hepatitis B with the antiviral T-cell response-associated mutations of the viruses from the single-epitope level to the overall HLA-I-restricted peptide levels. Furthermore, we investigated the molecular basis of the HLA-A2-restricted peptide immune escape and found that the solvent-exposed C-terminal portion of the epitopes is highly variable under CDR3β recognition. Our work may provide a comprehensive evaluation of viral mutations impacted by the host CTL response in HBV disease progression in the context of the full repertoire of HBc-derived epitopes.
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15
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Wisskirchen K, Metzger K, Schreiber S, Asen T, Weigand L, Dargel C, Witter K, Kieback E, Sprinzl MF, Uckert W, Schiemann M, Busch DH, Krackhardt AM, Protzer U. Isolation and functional characterization of hepatitis B virus-specific T-cell receptors as new tools for experimental and clinical use. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182936. [PMID: 28792537 PMCID: PMC5549754 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell therapy of chronic hepatitis B is a novel approach to restore antiviral T-cell immunity and cure the infection. We aimed at identifying T-cell receptors (TCR) with high functional avidity that have the potential to be used for adoptive T-cell therapy. To this end, we cloned HLA-A*02-restricted, hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific T cells from patients with acute or resolved HBV infection. We isolated 11 envelope- or core-specific TCRs and evaluated them in comprehensive functional analyses. T cells were genetically modified by retroviral transduction to express HBV-specific TCRs. CD8+ as well as CD4+ T cells became effector T cells recognizing even picomolar concentrations of cognate peptide. TCR-transduced T cells were polyfunctional, secreting the cytokines interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-2, and effectively killed hepatoma cells replicating HBV. Notably, our collection of HBV-specific TCRs recognized peptides derived from HBV genotypes A, B, C and D presented on different HLA-A*02 subtypes common in areas with high HBV prevalence. When co-cultured with HBV-infected cells, TCR-transduced T cells rapidly reduced viral markers within two days. Our unique set of HBV-specific TCRs with different affinities represents an interesting tool for elucidating mechanisms of TCR-MHC interaction and dissecting specific anti-HBV mechanisms exerted by T cells. TCRs with high functional avidity might be suited to redirect T cells for adoptive T-cell therapy of chronic hepatitis B and HBV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Wisskirchen
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Munich, Germany
- * E-mail: (UP); (KW)
| | - Kai Metzger
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Sophia Schreiber
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Theresa Asen
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Luise Weigand
- III. Medical Department, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Christina Dargel
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Klaus Witter
- Laboratory for Immunogenetics and Molecular Diagnostics, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Elisa Kieback
- Institute of Biology, Humboldt-University Berlin, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin F. Sprinzl
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Uckert
- Institute of Biology, Humboldt-University Berlin, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Schiemann
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Dirk H. Busch
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Munich, Germany
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Focus Groups “Viral Hepatitis” and “Clinical Cell Processing and Purification”, Institute for Advanced Study, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Angela M. Krackhardt
- III. Medical Department, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München / Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich partner site, Munich, Germany
- Focus Groups “Viral Hepatitis” and “Clinical Cell Processing and Purification”, Institute for Advanced Study, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
- * E-mail: (UP); (KW)
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16
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Bertoletti A, Ferrari C. Adaptive immunity in HBV infection. J Hepatol 2016; 64:S71-S83. [PMID: 27084039 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 317] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
During hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the presence of HBV-specific antibody producing B cells and functional HBV-specific T cells (with helper or cytotoxic effects) ultimately determines HBV infection outcome. In this review, in addition to summarizing the present state of knowledge of HBV-adaptive immunity, we will highlight controversies and uncertainties concerning the HBV-specific B and T lymphocyte response, and propose future directions for research aimed at the generation of more efficient immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Bertoletti
- Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency of Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore.
| | - Carlo Ferrari
- Divisione Malattie Infettive, Ospdale Maggiore Parma, Parma, Italy
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Brinck-Jensen NS, Vorup-Jensen T, Leutscher PDC, Erikstrup C, Petersen E. Immunogenicity of twenty peptides representing epitopes of the hepatitis B core and surface antigens by IFN-γ response in chronic and resolved HBV. BMC Immunol 2015; 16:65. [PMID: 26526193 PMCID: PMC4630833 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-015-0127-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB) usually mount a modest T cell response against HBV epitopes. In order to determine immunogenic epitopes of HBV recognized by HBV-specific T cells, previous studies focused on previously confirmed HBV epitopes and assessed the T cell response by the number of HBV-specific T cells by IFN-γ ELISPOT. Methods We studied T cell functionality by combined in silico methods predicting HBV-specific epitopes and experimental investigations on the recognition of these epitopes. 30 chronic CHB patients and 10 patients with resolved HBV (RHB) were included in the study. We identified epitopes from the literature and by in silico analysis. These were evaluated for immunogenicity by use of synthetic peptides representing the epitopes through exposure to PBMCs from patients with CHB or RHB by IFN-γ ELISPOT. The number of IFN-γ producing cells (SFC), mean spot size (MSS) and stimulation index (SI) were recorded. Results The frequency of HBV-specific T cells producing IFN-γ after stimulation with HBV epitopes was similar in CHB and RHB patients. CHB patients had a higher MSS SI than RHB patients. Patients not carrying the HLA-A2 genotype had higher SFC SI and MSS SI. Patients with HLA-A11 had higher MSS SI compared to non- HLA-A11 allele patients. HBeAg-positive patients had a lower MSS SI, and none of the HBeAg positive patients had the HLA-A11 genotype. We found 3 immunogenic epitopes not described previously. Conclusion IFN-γ ELISPOT-determined MSS is an efficient marker for T cell recognition of epitopes. This experimental measure showed the in silico analysis for epitope prediction to be a valuable tool in future studies on HLA genotypes and HBV epitopes. This way our study now points to previously unappreciated consequences of carrying the HLA-A11 allele in terms of stronger immunity to HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanna-Sophie Brinck-Jensen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus N, Skejby, Denmark.
| | - Thomas Vorup-Jensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Wilhelm Meyers Allé 4, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Peter Derek Christian Leutscher
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus N, Skejby, Denmark.
| | - Christian Erikstrup
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus N, Skejby, Denmark.
| | - Eskild Petersen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus N, Skejby, Denmark.
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18
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Wu JF, Chang MH. Natural history of chronic hepatitis B virus infection from infancy to adult life - the mechanism of inflammation triggering and long-term impacts. J Biomed Sci 2015; 22:92. [PMID: 26487087 PMCID: PMC4618235 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-015-0199-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in endemic areas usually starts since infancy and early childhood and persists lifelong. The clinical course varies among different chronic infected subjects. Majority of chronic HBV infected children present with immune-tolerant status initially, experience the immune clearance phase with various degree of liver injury during or beyond puberty, and then enter the inactive phase after hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion. Part of them may have HBV DNA titers elevation with hepatitis flare after HBeAg seroconversion, the so call HBeAg-negative hepatitis flare. Liver cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma may develop afterward. The complex course of chronic HBV infection is associated with the age/route of viral acquisition, host factors such as immune and endocrine factors, viral factors, and host-viral interactions. The adrenarche and puberty onset modulate the start of immune clearance and the severity of liver inflammation in chronic HBV infected children. The genotype and phenotype of human cytokines, innate immunity, and human leukocyte antigens are also associated with the onset of immune clearance of HBV and severity of inflammation. Immune escape HBV mutant strains, emerged during the immune clearance phase under host immune surveillance, may cause different impacts on viral biosynthesis, host immune responses, and clinical course. Early events in childhood during chronic HBV infection may serve as important predictors for the later outcome in adulthood. Understanding the mechanisms triggering liver inflammation and their long-term impacts may enhance the development of better and earlier therapeutic strategies for patients with chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Feng Wu
- Departments of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Children's Hospital, No. 8, Chung-Shan S. Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Hwei Chang
- Departments of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Children's Hospital, No. 8, Chung-Shan S. Rd., Taipei, Taiwan. .,Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Kefalakes H, Budeus B, Walker A, Jochum C, Hilgard G, Heinold A, Heinemann FM, Gerken G, Hoffmann D, Timm J. Adaptation of the hepatitis B virus core protein to CD8(+) T-cell selection pressure. Hepatology 2015; 62:47-56. [PMID: 25720337 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Activation of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific CD8 T cells by therapeutic vaccination may promote sustained control of viral replication by clearance of covalently closed circular DNA from infected hepatocytes. However, little is known about the exact targets of the CD8 T-cell response and whether HBV reproducibly evades CD8 T-cell immune pressure by mutation. The aim of this study was to address if HBV reproducibly selects substitutions in CD8 T-cell epitopes that functionally act as immune escape mutations. The HBV core gene was amplified and sequenced from 148 patients with chronic HBV infection, and the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I genotype (A and B loci) was determined. Residues under selection pressure in the presence of particular HLA class I alleles were identified by a statistical approach utilizing the novel analysis package SeqFeatR. With this approach we identified nine residues in HBV core under selection pressure in the presence of 10 different HLA class I alleles. Additional immunological experiments confirmed that seven of the residues were located inside epitopes targeted by patients with chronic HBV infection carrying the relevant HLA class I allele. Consistent with viral escape, the selected substitutions reproducibly impaired recognition by HBV-specific CD8 T cells. CONCLUSION Viral sequence analysis allows identification of HLA class I-restricted epitopes under reproducible selection pressure in HBV core; the possibility of viral escape from CD8 T-cell immune pressure needs attention in the context of therapeutic vaccination against HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helenie Kefalakes
- Institute of Virology, University of Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital, Essen, Germany.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital, Essen, Germany
| | - Bettina Budeus
- Research Group Bioinformatics, Centre for Medical Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Andreas Walker
- Institute of Virology, University of Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital, Essen, Germany
| | - Christoph Jochum
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital, Essen, Germany
| | - Gudrun Hilgard
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital, Essen, Germany
| | - Andreas Heinold
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital, Essen, Germany
| | - Falko M Heinemann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital, Essen, Germany
| | - Guido Gerken
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Duisburg-Essen, University Hospital, Essen, Germany
| | - Daniel Hoffmann
- Research Group Bioinformatics, Centre for Medical Biotechnology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Joerg Timm
- Institute for Virology, Heinrich-Heine-University, University Hospital, Duesseldorf, Germany
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20
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Singh SP, Verma V, Mishra BN. Characterization of Plasmodium falciparum Proteome at Asexual Blood Stages for Screening of Effective Vaccine Candidates: An Immunoinformatics Approach. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.4137/iii.s24755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a complex parasitic disease that is currently causing great concerns globally owing to the resistance to antimalarial drugs and lack of an effective vaccine. The present study involves the characterization of extracellular secretory proteins as vaccine candidates derived from proteome analysis of Plasmodium falciparum at asexual blood stages of malaria. Among the screened 32 proteins, 31 were predicted as antigens by the VaxiJen program, and 26 proteins had less than two transmembrane spanning regions predicted using the THMMM program. Moreover, 10 and 5 proteins were predicted to contain secretory signals by SignalP and TargetP, respectively. T-cell epitope prediction using MULTIPRED2 and NetCTL programs revealed that most of the predicted antigens are immunogenic and contain more than 10% supertype and 5% promiscuous epitopes of HLA-A, -B, or -DR. We anticipate that T-cell immune responses against asexual blood stages of Plasmodium are dispersed on a relatively large number of parasite antigens. This is the first report, to the best of our knowledge, offering new insights, at the proteome level, for the putative screening of effective vaccine candidates against the malaria pathogen. The findings also suggest new ways forward for the modern omics-guided vaccine target discovery using reverse vaccinology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satarudra Prakash Singh
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Lucknow, India
| | - Vishal Verma
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Lucknow, India
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21
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The immunodominant influenza A virus M158-66 cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope exhibits degenerate class I major histocompatibility complex restriction in humans. J Virol 2014; 88:10613-23. [PMID: 24990997 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00855-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Cytotoxic T lymphocytes recognizing conserved peptide epitopes are crucial for protection against influenza A virus (IAV) infection. The CD8 T cell response against the M158-66 (GILGFVFTL) matrix protein epitope is immunodominant when restricted by HLA-A*02, a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule expressed by approximately half of the human population. Here we report that the GILGFVFTL peptide is restricted by multiple HLA-C*08 alleles as well. We observed that M158-66 was able to elicit cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses in both HLA-A*02- and HLA-C*08-positive individuals and that GILGFVFTL-specific CTLs in individuals expressing both restriction elements were distinct and not cross-reactive. The crystal structure of GILGFVFTL-HLA-C*08:01 was solved at 1.84 Å, and comparison with the known GILGFVFTL-HLA-A*02:01 structure revealed that the antigen bound both complexes in near-identical conformations, accommodated by binding pockets shaped from shared as well as unique residues. This discovery of degenerate peptide presentation by both HLA-A and HLA-C allelic variants eliciting unique CTL responses to IAV infection contributes fundamental knowledge with important implications for vaccine development strategies. IMPORTANCE The presentation of influenza A virus peptides to elicit immunity is thought to be narrowly restricted, with a single peptide presented by a specific HLA molecule. In this study, we show that the same influenza A virus peptide can be more broadly presented by both HLA-A and HLA-C molecules. This discovery may help to explain the differences in immunity to influenza A virus between individuals and populations and may also aid in the design of vaccines.
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22
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Cao W, Qiu Z, Zhu T, Li Y, Han Y, Li T. CD8+ T cell responses specific for hepatitis B virus core protein in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. J Clin Virol 2014; 61:40-6. [PMID: 25049205 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2014.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Revised: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 06/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection includes a set of heterogeneous clinical patterns, and core-protein-specific T cell response is important for virus control and disease progression, yet is not well elucidated. OBJECTIVES To analyze the phenotypic and functional profiles of HBV-core-protein-specific CD8+ T cells in different clinical patterns of chronic HBV infection. STUDY DESIGN A total of 46 HBV patients were recruited and classified according to their clinical status. CD8+ T cell responses in different patterns of chronic HBV infections were tested with flow cytometry using overlapping 15-mer peptides covering HBV core protein. Meanwhile, the CCR7/CD27 phenotypes of these CD8+ T cells were also determined. RESULTS Frequencies of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) positive CD8+ T cells in inactive HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers in response to the core protein peptide pools were generally stronger than those of chronic HBV carriers and resolved individuals, especially with regards to peptide pool C13-C24. Moreover, phenotypic studies further highlighted the group of CD8+ CCR7-CD27+ T memory cells, which showed significantly higher levels of IFN-γ secretion in inactive HBsAg carriers than those in chronic hepatitis B patients, chronic HBV carriers and resolved individuals. CONCLUSIONS Core-protein-specific T cell response plays an important role in chronic HBV infection. Inactive HBsAg carriers showed a much stronger core-protein-specific cytotoxic T cell response than other types of chronically infected patients. CD8+ CCR7-CD27+ T memory lymphocytes may be crucial in the immune pathogenesis of chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Cao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 1# Shuaifu Yuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Zhifeng Qiu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 1# Shuaifu Yuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Ting Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 1# Shuaifu Yuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yanling Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 1# Shuaifu Yuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Yang Han
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 1# Shuaifu Yuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Taisheng Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 1# Shuaifu Yuan, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, China.
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23
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Sun L, Zhang Y, Zhao B, Deng M, Liu J, Li X, Hou J, Gui M, Zhang S, Li X, Gao GF, Meng S. A new unconventional HLA-A2-restricted epitope from HBV core protein elicits antiviral cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Protein Cell 2014; 5:317-27. [PMID: 24659387 PMCID: PMC3978166 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-014-0041-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 02/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) play a key role in the control of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and viral clearance. However, most of identified CTL epitopes are derived from HBV of genotypes A and D, and few have been defined in virus of genotypes B and C which are more prevalent in Asia. As HBV core protein (HBc) is the most conservative and immunogenic component, in this study we used an overlapping 9-mer peptide pool covering HBc to screen and identify specific CTL epitopes. An unconventional HLA-A2-restricted epitope HBc141-149 was discovered and structurally characterized by crystallization analysis. The immunogenicity and anti-HBV activity were further determined in HBV and HLA-A2 transgenic mice. Finally, we show that mutations in HBc141-149 epitope are associated with viral parameters and disease progression in HBV infected patients. Our data therefore provide insights into the structure characteristics of this unconventional epitope binding to MHC-I molecules, as well as epitope specific CTL activity that orchestrate T cell response and immune evasion in HBV infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Yu Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Bao Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Mengmeng Deng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Jun Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Xin Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Junwei Hou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Mingming Gui
- Xinjiang Agricultural University, Ürümqi, 830052 China
| | - Shuijun Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Beijing Institute of Infectious Diseases, Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, 100039 China
| | - George F. Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Songdong Meng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101 China
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24
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Chen X, Wang W, Wang S, Meng G, Zhang M, Ni B, Wu Y, Wang L. An immunodominant HLA-A*1101-restricted CD8+ T-cell response targeting hepatitis B surface antigen in chronic hepatitis B patients. J Gen Virol 2013; 94:2717-2723. [PMID: 23997182 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.052167-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a worldwide public health problem. HBV-specific CD8(+) CTLs are vital for viral clearance. Identification of immunodominant CTL epitopes from HBV-associated antigens is necessary for therapeutic vaccine development. We showed that the HLA-A*1101 allele is one of the most common alleles in both healthy individuals and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients in the Chongqing area, China. However, less than 10% of epitopes of HBV-associated antigens have been identified in an HLA-A*1101 context. Here, we describe an immunodominant CD8(+) T-cell response targeting a hepatitis B surface antigen determinant (HBs(295-304)) restricted by HLA-A*1101 in both healthy individuals and CHB patients. Moreover, HBs(295-304) is more immunogenic for CTL induction than a known naturally HLA-A*1101-processed epitope from hepatitis B core antigen (HBc(88-96)). Therefore, the newly identified epitope, HBs(295-304), will benefit the development of immunotherapeutic approaches for HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Chen
- Department of Immunology, Third Military Medical University & Institute of Immunology, PLA, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Wenbo Wang
- Department of Immunology, Third Military Medical University & Institute of Immunology, PLA, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Shufeng Wang
- Department of Immunology, Third Military Medical University & Institute of Immunology, PLA, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Gang Meng
- Department of Pathology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Mengjun Zhang
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Laboratory Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Bing Ni
- Department of Immunology, Third Military Medical University & Institute of Immunology, PLA, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Yuzhang Wu
- Department of Immunology, Third Military Medical University & Institute of Immunology, PLA, Chongqing 400038, PR China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Immunology, Third Military Medical University & Institute of Immunology, PLA, Chongqing 400038, PR China
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25
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Sepil I, Lachish S, Hinks AE, Sheldon BC. Mhc supertypes confer both qualitative and quantitative resistance to avian malaria infections in a wild bird population. Proc Biol Sci 2013; 280:20130134. [PMID: 23516242 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2013.0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex (Mhc) genes are believed to play a key role in the genetic basis of disease control. Although numerous studies have sought links between Mhc and disease prevalence, many have ignored the ecological and epidemiological aspects of the host-parasite interaction. Consequently, interpreting associations between prevalence and Mhc has been difficult, whereas discriminating alleles for qualitative resistance, quantitative resistance and susceptibility remains challenging. Moreover, most studies to date have quantified associations between genotypes and disease status, overlooking the complex relationship between genotype and the properties of the Mhc molecule that interacts with parasites. Here, we address these problems and demonstrate avian malaria (Plasmodium) parasite species-specific associations with functional properties of Mhc molecules (Mhc supertypes) in a wild great tit (Parus major) population. We further show that correctly interpreting these associations depends crucially on understanding the spatial variation in risk of infection and the fitness effects of infection. We report that a single Mhc supertype confers qualitative resistance to Plasmodium relictum, whereas a different Mhc supertype confers quantitative resistance to Plasmodium circumflexum infections. Furthermore, we demonstrate common functional properties of Plasmodium-resistance alleles in passerine birds, suggesting this is a model system for parasite-Mhc associations in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irem Sepil
- Edward Grey Institute, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK.
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Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules are involved in the presentation of antigenic peptides to CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which is important for the development of cellular immunity during viral infections and in cancers. HLA-A2 is one of the most frequent HLA class I specificities and thus is extensively studied structurally and functionally. Since its discovery, more than 300 allelic variants of this HLA specificity have been recorded. Among the HLA-A2 allelic variants, HLA-A*02:01 is the most prevalent, hence commonly used as a model to study HLA-A2-restricted CTL responses. However, HLA-A2 alleles are unevenly distributed globally such that HLA-A2 allelic variants besides A*02:01 are expressed at considerably high frequencies in Asian and African populations. Furthermore, increasing evidence of variations in the peptide-binding repertoire and CTL responses among HLA-A2 allelic variants suggests the need to understand these differences among various frequently expressed HLA-A2 molecules. In this review, the structural and functional distinctiveness of HLA-A2 allelic variants will be discussed.
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Lorente E, Infantes S, Abia D, Barnea E, Beer I, García R, Lasala F, Jiménez M, Mir C, Morreale A, Admon A, López D. A viral, transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP)-independent, high affinity ligand with alternative interactions endogenously presented by the nonclassical human leukocyte antigen E class I molecule. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:34895-34903. [PMID: 22927436 PMCID: PMC3471699 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.362293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2012] [Revised: 08/10/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) enables the flow of viral peptides generated in the cytosol by the proteasome and other proteases to the endoplasmic reticulum, where they complex with nascent human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I. Later, these peptide-HLA class I complexes can be recognized by CD8(+) lymphocytes. Cancerous cells and infected cells in which TAP is blocked, as well as individuals with unusable TAP complexes, are able to present peptides on HLA class I by generating them through TAP-independent processing pathways. Here, we identify a physiologically processed HLA-E ligand derived from the D8L protein in TAP-deficient vaccinia virus-infected cells. This natural high affinity HLA-E class I ligand uses alternative interactions to the anchor motifs previously described to be presented on nonclassical HLA class I molecules. This octameric peptide was also presented on HLA-Cw1 with similar binding affinity on both classical and nonclassical class I molecules. In addition, this viral peptide inhibits HLA-E-mediated cytolysis by natural killer cells. Comparison between the amino acid sequences of the presenting HLA-E and HLA-Cw1 alleles revealed a shared structural motif in both HLA class molecules, which could be related to their observed similar cross-reactivity affinities. This motif consists of several residues located on the floor of the peptide-binding site. These data expand the role of HLA-E as an antigen-presenting molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Lorente
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Infantes
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Abia
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eilon Barnea
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Ilan Beer
- IBM Haifa Research Lab, Haifa 31905, Israel
| | - Ruth García
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fátima Lasala
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mercedes Jiménez
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Mir
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Morreale
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)/Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Arie Admon
- Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Daniel López
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
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Wu JF, Hsu HY, Ni YH, Chen HL, Wu TC, Chang MH. Suppression of furin by interferon-γ and the impact on hepatitis B virus antigen biosynthesis in human hepatocytes. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2012; 181:19-25. [PMID: 22634051 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2012.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2011] [Revised: 03/12/2012] [Accepted: 03/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The roles of furin and intrahepatic cytokines in chronic heptatitis B virus (HBV) infection remain largely unknown. Here, we examined the relations between furin, IL-10, IL-12β, interferon (IFN)-γ, programed death (PD)-1, programed death ligand (PD-L)1, and the suppression of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and surface antigen (HBsAg) biosynthesis. Liver biopsies were performed on 20 chronically HBV-infected (15 HBeAg-positive and 5 HBeAg-negative) patients to assess liver inflammation/fibrosis, and mRNA levels of furin, IL-10, IL-12β, IFN-γ, PD-1, and PD-L1 were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. IFN-γ mRNA abundance was associated with lower furin mRNA levels and higher PD-1 and PD-L1 mRNA levels in liver tissue from HBeAg-positive patients. IL-10 and IL-12β mRNA levels positively correlated with IFN-γ expression levels (P < 0.05). PD-L1 and furin mRNA levels were further assessed in IFN-γ-stimulated hepatoma cell lines with (HepG2.2.15 cells) and without (HepG2 and Huh7 cells) HBV replication. IFN-γ enhanced PD-L1 expression in hepatoma cells. In HepG2.2.15 cells, IFN-γ further suppressed furin and HBeAg expression. Furin inhibition and knockdown in HepG2.2.15 cells also down-regulated HBeAg and HBsAg biosynthesis. These data suggest that IFN-γ modulates the inflammatory response to avoid excessive hepatocyte damage through the enhancement of PD-1/PD-L1 expression, whereas furin suppression may contribute to a reduction in HBeAg/HBsAg biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Feng Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Carlson JM, Listgarten J, Pfeifer N, Tan V, Kadie C, Walker BD, Ndung'u T, Shapiro R, Frater J, Brumme ZL, Goulder PJR, Heckerman D. Widespread impact of HLA restriction on immune control and escape pathways of HIV-1. J Virol 2012; 86:5230-43. [PMID: 22379086 PMCID: PMC3347390 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.06728-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2011] [Accepted: 02/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The promiscuous presentation of epitopes by similar HLA class I alleles holds promise for a universal T-cell-based HIV-1 vaccine. However, in some instances, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) restricted by HLA alleles with similar or identical binding motifs are known to target epitopes at different frequencies, with different functional avidities and with different apparent clinical outcomes. Such differences may be illuminated by the association of similar HLA alleles with distinctive escape pathways. Using a novel computational method featuring phylogenetically corrected odds ratios, we systematically analyzed differential patterns of immune escape across all optimally defined epitopes in Gag, Pol, and Nef in 2,126 HIV-1 clade C-infected adults. Overall, we identified 301 polymorphisms in 90 epitopes associated with HLA alleles belonging to shared supertypes. We detected differential escape in 37 of 38 epitopes restricted by more than one allele, which included 278 instances of differential escape at the polymorphism level. The majority (66 to 97%) of these resulted from the selection of unique HLA-specific polymorphisms rather than differential epitope targeting rates, as confirmed by gamma interferon (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay (ELISPOT) data. Discordant associations between HLA alleles and viral load were frequently observed between allele pairs that selected for differential escape. Furthermore, the total number of associated polymorphisms strongly correlated with average viral load. These studies confirm that differential escape is a widespread phenomenon and may be the norm when two alleles present the same epitope. Given the clinical correlates of immune escape, such heterogeneity suggests that certain epitopes will lead to discordant outcomes if applied universally in a vaccine.
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Liu Q, Zheng Y, Yu Y, Tan Q, Huang X. Identification of HLA-A*0201-restricted CD8+ T-cell epitope C₆₄₋₇₂ from hepatitis B virus core protein. Int Immunopharmacol 2012; 13:141-7. [PMID: 22480777 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2012.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2012] [Revised: 03/20/2012] [Accepted: 03/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The efficacy of a potential therapeutic vaccine against chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection depends on the development of strong and multi-specific T cell responses. The potency of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses toward HBV core antigen (HBcAg) has been shown to be critical for the outcomes of HBV chronic infection. In this study we have identified a previously undescribed HLA-A*0201-restricted HBcAg-specific CTL epitope (HBcAg₆₄₋₇₂, C₆₄₋₇₂, ELMTLATWV). T2 binding assay showed that C₆₄₋₇₂ had high affinity to HLA-A*0201 molecule. Functionally, the peptide C₆₄₋₇₂ could induce peptide-specific CTLs both in vivo (HLA-A2.1/K(b) transgenic mice) and in vitro (PBLs of healthy HLA-A2.1+ donors), as demonstrated by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secretion upon stimulation with C₆₄₋₇₂-pulsed T2 cells or autologous human dendritic cells (DCs) respectively. HLA-A*0201-C₆₄₋₇₂ tetramer staining revealed the presence of a significant population of C₆₄₋₇₂-specific CTLs in C₆₄₋₇₂-stimulated CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, the peptide-specific cytotoxic reactivity and the production of perforin and granzyme B of CTLs also increased after stimulation with C₆₄₋₇₂-pulsed autologous DCs. These results indicate that the newly identified epitope C₆₄₋₇₂ has potential to be used in the development of immunotherapeutic approaches to HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyan Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology & Institute of Immunology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
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Multiple viral ligands naturally presented by different class I molecules in transporter antigen processing-deficient vaccinia virus-infected cells. J Virol 2011; 86:527-41. [PMID: 22031944 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.05737-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) delivers the viral proteolytic products generated by the proteasome in the cytosol to the endoplasmic reticulum lumen that are subsequently recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). However, several viral epitopes have been identified in TAP-deficient models. Using mass spectrometry to analyze complex human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-bound peptide pools isolated from large numbers of TAP-deficient vaccinia virus-infected cells, we identified 11 ligands naturally presented by four different HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C class I molecules. Two of these ligands were presented by two different HLA class I alleles, and, as a result, 13 different HLA-peptide complexes were formed simultaneously in the same vaccinia virus-infected cells. In addition to the high-affinity ligands, one low-affinity peptide restricted by each of the HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C class I molecules was identified. Both high- and low-affinity ligands generated long-term memory CTL responses to vaccinia virus in an HLA-A2-transgenic mouse model. The processing and presentation of two vaccinia virus-encoded HLA-A2-restricted antigens took place via proteasomal and nonproteasomal pathways, which were blocked in infected cells with chemical inhibitors specific for different subsets of metalloproteinases. These data have implications for the study of the effectiveness of early empirical vaccination with cowpox virus against smallpox disease.
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Rao X, Hoof I, Fontaine Costa AICA, van Baarle D, Keşmir C. HLA class I allele promiscuity revisited. Immunogenetics 2011; 63:691-701. [PMID: 21695550 PMCID: PMC3190086 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-011-0552-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2011] [Accepted: 06/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The peptide repertoire presented on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules is largely determined by the structure of the peptide binding groove. It is expected that the molecules having similar grooves (i.e., belonging to the same supertype) might present similar/overlapping peptides. However, the extent of promiscuity among HLA class I ligands remains controversial: while in many studies T cell responses are detected against epitopes presented by alternative molecules across HLA class I supertypes and loci, peptide elution studies report minute overlaps between the peptide repertoires of even related HLA molecules. To get more insight into the promiscuous peptide binding by HLA molecules, we analyzed the HLA peptide binding data from the large epitope repository, Immune Epitope Database (IEDB), and further performed in silico analysis to estimate the promiscuity at the population level. Both analyses suggest that an unexpectedly large fraction of HLA ligands (>50%) bind two or more HLA molecules, often across supertype or even loci. These results suggest that different HLA class I molecules can nevertheless present largely overlapping peptide sets, and that “functional” HLA polymorphism on individual and population level is probably much lower than previously anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Rao
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ilka Hoof
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Debbie van Baarle
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Can Keşmir
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Cao W, Qiu ZF, Li TS. Parallel decline of CD8+CD38+ lymphocytes and viremia in treated hepatitis B patients. World J Gastroenterol 2011; 17:2191-8. [PMID: 21633528 PMCID: PMC3092870 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i17.2191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2010] [Revised: 09/25/2010] [Accepted: 10/02/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To assess the peripheral T lymphocyte subsets in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and their dynamics in response to adefovir dipivoxil monotherapy.
METHODS: Proportions and absolute counts of peripheral natural killer cells, B cells, CD8+, CD4+, CD8+CD38+, CD8+CD28+ and CD4+CD28+ T cells were determined using three-color flow cytometry in chronic hepatitis B patients (n = 35), HBV carriers (n = 25) and healthy controls (n = 35). Adefovir dipivoxil was initiated in 17 chronic hepatitis B patients who were regularly followed for 72 wk, during which period the T cell subsets and serum viral load were measured at each follow-up point.
RESULTS: The peripheral CD4+ T cell counts and CD8+ T cell counts decreased in chronic HBV infection. In chronic hepatitis B patients, proportions of CD8+CD38+ T cells were 62.0% ± 14.7%, much higher than those of HBV carriers and healthy controls. In the 13 hepatitis B patients who were treated and responded to adefovir dipivoxil, proportions of CD8+CD38+ T cells decreased from 53.9% ± 18.4% pre-therapy to 20.1% ± 11.3% by week 72 (P < 0.001), concomitant with viral load decline (HBV DNA fell from 7.31 to 3 log copies/mL). CD8+ T cell counts also underwent an average increase of 218 cells/μL by the end of 72-wk treatment. In those who failed the therapy, the CD8+CD38+ T cell population had more fluctuations.
CONCLUSION: CD8+ T cells abnormally activated in chronic HBV infection can be partially reversed by antiviral therapy. HBV-associated immune activation may be a crucial part of the pathogenesis and a promising target of treatment.
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TAP-independent human histocompatibility complex-Cw1 antigen processing of an HIV envelope protein conserved peptide. AIDS 2011; 25:265-9. [PMID: 21099670 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0b013e328340fe3c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with nonfunctional transporters associated with antigen processing (TAP) complexes are not particularly susceptible to viral infections or neoplasms. Therefore, their immune system must be reasonably efficient, and the present, though reduced, cytolytic CD8 αβ T subpopulation specific for TAP-independent antigens may be sufficient to establish an immune defense protecting against viral infections in these individuals. The objective of the present study was to identify TAP-independent ligands from HIV gp160 protein. An analysis and comparison of complex human histocompatibility complex (HLA)-bound peptide pools isolated from large quantities of healthy or HIV gp160-expressing human cells was performed using mass spectrometry and bioinformatics tools. A conserved TAP-independent HLA peptide ligand endogenously processed and presented in infected human cells was identified. This ligand originates from the envelope protein bound to the HLA-Cw1 class I molecule with high affinity. It was concluded that HLA class I peptides derived from a large fraction of the N-terminal HIV envelope protein could be presented even in the absence of the TAP complex.
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35
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Singh SP, Khan F, Mishra BN. Computational characterization of Plasmodium falciparum proteomic data for screening of potential vaccine candidates. Hum Immunol 2010; 71:136-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2009.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2009] [Revised: 10/09/2009] [Accepted: 11/05/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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36
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Wieland A, Riedl P, Reimann J, Schirmbeck R. Silencing an immunodominant epitope of hepatitis B surface antigen reveals an alternative repertoire of CD8 T cell epitopes of this viral antigen. Vaccine 2009; 28:114-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.09.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2009] [Revised: 08/28/2009] [Accepted: 09/23/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Wang S, Han Q, Zhang N, Chen J, Liu Z, Zhang G, Li Z. HBcAg18-27 epitope fused to HIV-Tat 49-57 adjuvanted with CpG ODN induces immunotherapeutic effects in transgenic mice. Immunol Lett 2009; 127:143-9. [PMID: 19883689 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2009.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2009] [Revised: 10/19/2009] [Accepted: 10/23/2009] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Successful immunotherapy of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is expected to be characterized by enhanced activation of immune responses. Combining the specificity of hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitope, the cell-penetrating property of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV)-Tat peptide, and the adjuvanticity of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODNs) may elicit strong immune responses and therapeutic effects in HBV infection. We synthesized a fusion peptide containing HBcAg18-27 CTL epitope and HIV-Tat(49-57) peptide. The fusion peptide was intramuscularly injected to HBV transgenic mice with CpG ODN as adjuvant at 2-week intervals three times. The percentages of CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells in spleen lymphocytes and the levels of circulating interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-2 were determined for the evaluation of immune responses and the levels of serum HBV DNA and the expression of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBcAg in liver tissue were determined for the assessment of therapeutic effects. Our results showed that the synthesized fusion peptide adjuvanted with CpG ODN could induce significant increase of the percentages of CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells and the levels of IFN-gamma and IL-2, indicating the strong immune responses, and reduced HBV DNA levels and decreased expression of HBsAg and HBcAg in liver tissue, suggesting the therapeutic effects. Collectively, our study supports that HBcAg18-27 CTL epitope fused to HIV-Tat(49-57) peptide adjuvanted with CpG ODN may be a promising strategy for immunotherapy of chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suna Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, PR China
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Riedl P, Wieland A, Lamberth K, Buus S, Lemonnier F, Reifenberg K, Reimann J, Schirmbeck R. Elimination of Immunodominant Epitopes from Multispecific DNA-Based Vaccines Allows Induction of CD8 T Cells That Have a Striking Antiviral Potential. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2009; 183:370-80. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0900505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Identification of naturally processed ligands in the C57BL/6 mouse using large-scale mass spectrometric peptide sequencing and bioinformatics prediction. Immunogenetics 2009; 61:241-6. [DOI: 10.1007/s00251-009-0360-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2008] [Accepted: 01/30/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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40
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Xu YS, Lin Y, Zhu B, Lin ZH. A novel method to estimate the affinity of HLA-A∗0201 restricted CTL epitope. J Mol Struct 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2008.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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41
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Escobar H, Crockett DK, Reyes-Vargas E, Baena A, Rockwood AL, Jensen PE, Delgado JC. Large Scale Mass Spectrometric Profiling of Peptides Eluted from HLA Molecules Reveals N-Terminal-Extended Peptide Motifs. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2008; 181:4874-82. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.181.7.4874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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42
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Host ethnicity and virus genotype shape the hepatitis B virus-specific T-cell repertoire. J Virol 2008; 82:10986-97. [PMID: 18799575 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01124-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Repertoire composition, quantity, and qualitative functional ability are the parameters that define virus-specific T-cell responses and are linked with their potential to control infection. We took advantage of the segregation of different hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in geographically and genetically distinct host populations to directly analyze the impact that host and virus variables exert on these virus-specific T-cell parameters. T-cell responses against the entire HBV proteome were analyzed in a total of 109 HBV-infected subjects of distinct ethnicities (47 of Chinese origin and 62 of Caucasian origin). We demonstrate that HBV-specific T-cell quantity is determined by the virological and clinical profiles of the patients, which outweigh any influence of race or viral diversity. In contrast, HBV-specific T-cell repertoires are divergent in the two ethnic groups, with T-cell epitopes frequently found in Caucasian patients seldom detected in Chinese patients. In conclusion, we provide a direct biological evaluation of the impact that host and virus variables exert on virus-specific T-cell responses. The discordance between HBV-specific CD8 T-cell repertoires present in Caucasian and Chinese subjects shows the ability of HLA micropolymorphisms to diversify T-cell responses and has implications for the rational development of therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines for worldwide use.
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Alvarez MG, Postan M, Weatherly DB, Albareda MC, Sidney J, Sette A, Olivera C, Armenti AH, Tarleton RL, Laucella SA. HLA Class I-T cell epitopes from trans-sialidase proteins reveal functionally distinct subsets of CD8+ T cells in chronic Chagas disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2008; 2:e288. [PMID: 18846233 PMCID: PMC2565697 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2007] [Accepted: 08/06/2008] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previously, we identified a set of HLA-A020.1-restricted trans-sialidase peptides as targets of CD8+ T cell responses in HLA-A0201+ individuals chronically infected by T. cruzi. Methods and Findings Herein, we report the identification of peptides encoded by the same trans-sialidase gene family that bind alleles representative of the 6 most common class I HLA-supertypes. Based on a combination of bioinformatic predictions and HLA-supertype considerations, a total of 1001 epitopes predicted to bind to HLA A01, A02, A03, A24, B7 and B44 supertypes was selected. Ninety-six supertype-binder epitopes encoded by multiple trans-sialidase genes were tested for the ability to stimulate a recall CD8+ T cell response in the peripheral blood from subjects with chronic T. cruzi infection regardless the HLA haplotype. An overall hierarchy of antigenicity was apparent, with the A02 supertype peptides being the most frequently recognized in the Chagas disease population followed by the A03 and the A24 supertype epitopes. CD8+ T cell responses to promiscuous epitopes revealed that the CD8+ T cell compartment specific for T. cruzi displays a functional profile with T cells secreting interferon-γ alone as the predominant pattern and very low prevalence of single IL-2-secreting or dual IFN-γ/IL-2 secreting T cells denoting a lack of polyfunctional cytokine responses in chronic T. cruzi infection. Conclusions This study identifies a set of T. cruzi peptides that should prove useful for monitoring immune competence and changes in infection and disease status in individuals with chronic Chagas disease. At present, 16–20 million people in Central and South America are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease in humans. The primary clinical consequence of the infection is a cardiomyopathy, which manifests in approximately 30% of infected individuals, many years after the initial infection. Our work in Chagas disease patients began as an effort to assess the range and specificity of antigens that were recognized by T cells, in particular CD8+ T cells, in individuals with long-term infections with Trypanosoma cruzi. Trans-sialidase proteins from T. cruzi are major surface and released proteins that are targets of humoral and cellular immune responses. We previously, identified a set of trans-sialidase peptides that were recognized by a very low frequency of chronically T. cruzi-infected subjects. Based on bioinformatic predictions, herein we report the identification of new trans-sialidase epitopes that are recognized by a higher proportion of T. cruzi-infected people. The functional profile of T cells specific for these peptides is characteristic of an infection with long term stimulation of the immune system, with high levels of IFN-γ-secreting T cells and low levels of IL-2 production. This set of T. cruzi peptides should prove useful for monitoring immune competence and changes in infection and disease status in individuals with chronic Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- María G. Alvarez
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “Eva Perón”, San Martín, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Miriam Postan
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología “Dr. Mario Fatala Chabén”, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - D. Brent Weatherly
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - María C. Albareda
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología “Dr. Mario Fatala Chabén”, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - John Sidney
- La Jolla Institute of Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Alessandro Sette
- La Jolla Institute of Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Carina Olivera
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología “Dr. Mario Fatala Chabén”, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro H. Armenti
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “Eva Perón”, San Martín, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rick L. Tarleton
- Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Susana A. Laucella
- Instituto Nacional de Parasitología “Dr. Mario Fatala Chabén”, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail:
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44
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Gender-dependent HLA-DR-restricted epitopes identified from herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein D. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2008; 15:1436-49. [PMID: 18667634 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00123-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In recent clinical trials, a herpes simplex virus (HSV) recombinant glycoprotein D (gD) vaccine was more efficacious in woman than in men. Here we report six HLA-DR-restricted T-cell gD epitope peptides that bind to multiple HLA-DR (DR1, DR4, DR7, DR13, DR15, and DRB5) molecules that represent a large proportion of the human population. Four of these peptides recalled naturally primed CD4(+) T cells in up to 45% of the 46 HSV-seropositive, asymptomatic individuals studied. For the gD(49-82), gD(77-104), and gD(121-152) peptides, the CD4(+) T-cell responses detected in HSV-seropositive, asymptomatic women were higher and more frequent than the responses detected in men. Immunization of susceptible DRB1*0101 transgenic mice with a mixture of three newly identified, gender-dependent, immunodominant epitope peptides (gD(49-82), gD(77-104), and gD(121-152)) induced a gender- and CD4(+) T-cell-dependent immunity against ocular HSV type 1 challenge. These results revealed a gender-dependent T-cell response to a discrete set of gD epitopes and suggest that while a T-cell epitope-based HSV vaccine that targets a large percentage of the human population may be feasible with a limited number of immunodominant promiscuous HLA-DR-restricted epitopes, gender should be taken into account during evaluations of such vaccines.
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45
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Tan AT, Koh S, Goh V, Bertoletti A. Understanding the immunopathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B virus: an Asian prospective. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2008; 23:833-43. [PMID: 18565018 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2008.05385.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The study of hepatitis B virus (HBV) immunity has been mainly focused on understanding the differences between subjects who are able to control HBV infection and patients with persistent infection. These studies have been instrumental in increasing our knowledge on the pathogenesis of the disease caused by HBV. However, it is possible that heterogeneity of host and virus factors which segregate in ethnically distinct HBV infected populations might modify important aspects of the immune response against HBV. In this review, we reexamine the kinetics and the pattern of HBV-specific immunity associated with control or persistence of infection. We then discuss how the epidemiological, genetic and viral characteristics peculiar to Asian patients can impact the profile of HBV-specific immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Tanoto Tan
- Viral Hepatitis Unit, Singapore Institute for Clinical Science, A*STAR, Singapore
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46
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Pérez CL, Larsen MV, Gustafsson R, Norström MM, Atlas A, Nixon DF, Nielsen M, Lund O, Karlsson AC. Broadly immunogenic HLA class I supertype-restricted elite CTL epitopes recognized in a diverse population infected with different HIV-1 subtypes. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2008; 180:5092-100. [PMID: 18354235 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.7.5092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The genetic variations of the HIV-1 virus and its human host constitute major obstacles for obtaining potent HIV-1-specific CTL responses in individuals of diverse ethnic backgrounds infected with different HIV-1 variants. In this study, we developed and used a novel algorithm to select 184 predicted epitopes representing seven different HLA class I supertypes that together constitute a broad coverage of the different HIV-1 strains as well as the human HLA alleles. Of the tested 184 HLA class I-restricted epitopes, 114 were recognized by at least one study subject, and 45 were novel epitopes, not previously described in the HIV-1 immunology database. In addition, we identified 21 "elite" epitopes that induced CTL responses in at least 4 of the 31 patients. A majority (27 of 31) of the study population recognized one or more of these highly immunogenic epitopes. We also found a limited set of 9 epitopes that together induced HIV-1-specific CTL responses in all HIV-1-responsive patients in this study. Our results have important implications for the validation of potent CTL responses and show that the goal for a vaccine candidate in inducing broadly reactive CTL immune responses is attainable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina L Pérez
- Department of Microbiology, Cell Biology, and Tumor Biology, Karolinska Institutet, and The Swedish Institute of Infectious Disease Control, Stockholm, Sweden
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47
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Liu HG, Fan ZP, Chen WW, Yang HY, Liu QF, Zhang H, Tien P, Wang FS. A mutant HBs antigen (HBsAg)183-191 epitope elicits specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in acute hepatitis B patients. Clin Exp Immunol 2008; 151:441-7. [PMID: 18234055 PMCID: PMC2276963 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2007.03570.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2007] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
HBs antigen (HBsAg)183-191 (FLLTRILTI, R187 peptide) is a dominant human leucocyte antigen-A2 (HLA-A2)-restricted epitope associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Caucasian populations. However, its prevalence is poorly understood in China, where there is a high incidence of HBV infection. In this report, we sequenced the region of HBsAg derived from 103 Chinese patients. Approximately 16.5% of the patients bore a mutant HBsAg183-191 epitope in which the original arginine (R187) was substituted with a lysine (K187 mutant peptide). Importantly, K187 still bound to HLA-A2 with high affinity, and elicited specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses in HLA-A2/K(b) transgenic mice. K187-specific CTLs were also generated successfully in acute hepatitis B (AHB) patients, indicating that this mutant epitope is processed and presented effectively. Our findings show that R187-specific CTLs can cross-react with the K187 peptide. These findings reveal that K187 still has the property of an HLA-A2 restricted epitope, and elicits a protective anti-HBV CTL response in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- H-G Liu
- Center for Molecular Virology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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48
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An asymmetric model of heterozygote advantage at major histocompatibility complex genes: degenerate pathogen recognition and intersection advantage. Genetics 2008; 178:1473-89. [PMID: 18245836 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.107.082131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We characterize the function of MHC molecules by the sets of pathogens that they recognize, which we call their "recognition sets." Two features of the MHC-pathogen interaction may be important to the theory of polymorphism construction at MHC loci: First, there may be a large degree of overlap, or degeneracy, among the recognition sets of MHC molecules. Second, when infected with a pathogen, an MHC genotype may have a higher fitness if that pathogen belongs to the overlapping portion, or intersection, of the two recognition sets of the host, when compared with a genotype that contains that pathogen in only one of its recognition sets. We call this benefit "intersection advantage," gamma, and incorporate it, as well as the degree of recognition degeneracy, m, into a model of heterozygote advantage that utilizes a set-theoretic definition of fitness. Counterintuitively, we show that levels of polymorphism are positively related to m and that a high level of recognition degeneracy is necessary for polymorphism at MHC loci under heterozygote advantage. Increasing gamma reduces levels of polymorphism considerably. Hence, if intersection advantage is significant for MHC genotypes, then heterozygote advantage may not explain the very high levels of polymorphism observed at MHC genes.
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49
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Desmond CP, Bartholomeusz A, Gaudieri S, Revill PA, Lewin SR. A Systematic Review of T-cell Epitopes in Hepatitis B Virus: Identification, Genotypic Variation and Relevance to Antiviral Therapeutics. Antivir Ther 2008. [DOI: 10.1177/135965350801300218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background The immune response to hepatitis B virus (HBV) is important for both viral control and disease pathogenesis. A detailed understanding of the HBV-specific T-cell responses may potentially lead to novel therapeutic strategies for HBV. Methods All English language journal articles (including articles in press) up to October 2007 were retrieved using searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Controlled Trial Registry. An extensive database of HBV sequences (SeqHepB) and GenBank were used to assess the degree of sequence variation in each epitope. The new standardized nomenclature for HBV amino acid position number was applied to all previously defined epitopes. Results Forty-four HBV-specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I restricted and 32 HBV-specific HLA class II restricted epitopes have been defined and have been identified in all HBV genes. The majority of HLA class I restricted epitopes have been defined in HLA-A2-positive individuals in the setting of acute HBV infection. There is significant sequence variation of these epitopes within and between HBV genotypes. Newer HBV immunotherapeutics appear promising but are still in early phases of development. Conclusions Identification of HBV-specific epitopes in non-HLA-A2-positive individuals and recognition of genotypic variation across epitopes are important for the future development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies for the management of chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P Desmond
- Department of Gastroenterology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Silvana Gaudieri
- Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics, Royal Perth Hospital and Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
- Centre of Forensic Science and School of Anatomy and Human Biology, University of Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter A Revill
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sharon R Lewin
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
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50
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Sidney J, Peters B, Frahm N, Brander C, Sette A. HLA class I supertypes: a revised and updated classification. BMC Immunol 2008; 9:1. [PMID: 18211710 PMCID: PMC2245908 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2172-9-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 514] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2007] [Accepted: 01/22/2008] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules bind, and present to T cells, short peptides derived from intracellular processing of proteins. The peptide repertoire of a specific molecule is to a large extent determined by the molecular structure accommodating so-called main anchor positions of the presented peptide. These receptors are extremely polymorphic, and much of the polymorphism influences the peptide-binding repertoire. However, despite this polymorphism, class I molecules can be clustered into sets of molecules that bind largely overlapping peptide repertoires. Almost a decade ago we introduced this concept of clustering human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and defined nine different groups, denominated as supertypes, on the basis of their main anchor specificity. The utility of this original supertype classification, as well several other subsequent arrangements derived by others, has been demonstrated in a large number of epitope identification studies. RESULTS Following our original approach, in the present report we provide an updated classification of HLA-A and -B class I alleles into supertypes. The present analysis incorporates the large amount of class I MHC binding data and sequence information that has become available in the last decade. As a result, over 80% of the 945 different HLA-A and -B alleles examined to date can be assigned to one of the original nine supertypes. A few alleles are expected to be associated with repertoires that overlap multiple supertypes. Interestingly, the current analysis did not identify any additional supertype specificities. CONCLUSION As a result of this updated analysis, HLA supertype associations have been defined for over 750 different HLA-A and -B alleles. This information is expected to facilitate epitope identification and vaccine design studies, as well as investigations into disease association and correlates of immunity. In addition, the approach utilized has been made more transparent, allowing others to utilize the classification approach going forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Sidney
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, The La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Bjoern Peters
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, The La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Nicole Frahm
- Partners AIDS Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 149 13 Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Christian Brander
- Partners AIDS Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 149 13 Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Alessandro Sette
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, The La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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