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da Silva IL, Montero-Montero L, Ferreira E, Quintanilla M. New Insights Into the Role of Qa-2 and HLA-G Non-classical MHC-I Complexes in Malignancy. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2894. [PMID: 30574154 PMCID: PMC6292030 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established that the immune system can identify and destroy neoplastic transformed cells in a process known as immunosurveillance. Most studies have focused on the classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class Ia molecules, which are known to play an important role on the presentation of tumor antigens to the immune system in order to activate a response against tumor cells. However, a larger family of non-classical MHC class Ib-related molecules has received less attention. In this mini-review, we discuss the role of class Ib murine Qa-2 and its proposed human HLA-G homolog on immunosurveillance during embryogenesis and cancer. Whereas, both HLA-G and Qa-2 are involved in immune tolerance in pregnancy, the current evidence suggests that they play opposite roles in cancer. HLA-G appears to promote tumor progression while Qa-2 acts as a tumor suppressor awaking the immune system to reject tumor cells, as suggested by studies on different cancer cell models, such as melanoma, lymphoma, lung carcinoma, and our own results in mammary carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Istéfani L da Silva
- Center of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of the West of Bahia, Barreiras, Brazil
| | - Lucía Montero-Montero
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enio Ferreira
- Laboratory of Compared Pathology, Department of General Pathology, Biological Science Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Miguel Quintanilla
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Hofstetter AR, Evavold BD, Lukacher AE. Peptide immunization elicits polyomavirus-specific MHC class ib-restricted CD8 T cells in MHC class ia allogeneic mice. Viral Immunol 2013; 26:109-13. [PMID: 23374150 PMCID: PMC3578367 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2012.0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Unlike the polymorphic MHC class Ia molecules, MHC class Ib molecules are oligomorphic or nonpolymorphic. We recently discovered a protective CD8 T cell response to mouse polyomavirus (MPyV) in H-2(b) haplotype mice that is restricted by H2-Q9, a member of the Qa-2 MHC class Ib family. Here, we demonstrate that immunization with a peptide corresponding to a virus capsid-derived peptide presented by Q9 also elicits MHC class Ib-restricted MPyV-specific CD8 T cells in mice of H-2(s) and H-2(g7) strains. These findings support the concept that immunization with a single MHC class Ib-restricted peptide can expand CD8 T cells in MHC class Ia allogeneic hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia R. Hofstetter
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.,Graduate Program in Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Brian D. Evavold
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Aron E. Lukacher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
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Chen L, Jay DC, Fairbanks JD, He X, Jensen PE. An MHC class Ib-restricted CD8+ T cell response to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2011; 187:6463-72. [PMID: 22084437 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1101171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Conventional MHC class Ia-restricted CD8(+) T cells play a dominant role in the host response to virus infections, but recent studies indicate that T cells with specificity for nonclassical MHC class Ib molecules may also participate in host defense. To investigate the potential role of class Ib molecules in anti-viral immune responses, K(b-/-)D(b-/-)CIITA(-/-) mice lacking expression of MHC class Ia and class II molecules were infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). These animals have a large class Ib-selected CD8(+) T cell population and they were observed to mediate partial (but incomplete) virus clearance during acute LCMV infection as compared with K(b-/-)D(b-/-)β(2)-microglobulin(-/-) mice that lack expression of both MHC class Ia and class Ib molecules. Infection was associated with expansion of splenic CD8(+) T cells and induction of granzyme B and IFN-γ effector molecules in CD8(+) T cells. Partial virus clearance was dependent on CD8(+) cells. In vitro T cell restimulation assays demonstrated induction of a population of β(2)-microglobulin-dependent, MHC class Ib-restricted CD8(+) T cells with specificity for viral Ags and yet to be defined nonclassical MHC molecules. MHC class Ib-restricted CD8(+) T cell responses were also observed after infection of K(b-/-)D(b-/-)mice despite the low number of CD8(+) T cells in these animals. Long-term infection studies demonstrated chronic infection and gradual depletion of CD8(+) T cells in K(b-/-)D(b-/-)CIITA(-/-) mice, demonstrating that class Ia molecules are required for viral clearance. These findings demonstrate that class Ib-restricted CD8(+) T cells have the potential to participate in the host immune response to LCMV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Chen
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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Cho H, Choi HJ, Xu H, Felio K, Wang CR. Nonconventional CD8+ T cell responses to Listeria infection in mice lacking MHC class Ia and H2-M3. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 186:489-98. [PMID: 21098224 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1002639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CD8(+) T cells restricted to MHC class Ib molecules other than H2-M3 have been shown to recognize bacterial Ags. However, the contribution of these T cells to immune responses against bacterial infection is not well defined. To investigate the immune potential of MHC class Ib-restricted CD8(+) T cells, we have generated mice that lack both MHC class Ia and H2-M3 molecules (K(b-/-)D (b-/-)M3(-/-)). The CD8(+) T cells present in K(b-/-)D (b-/-)M3(-/-) mice display an activated surface phenotype and are able to secrete IFN-γ rapidly upon anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 stimulation. Although the CD8(+) T cell population is reduced in K(b-/-)D (b-/-)M3(-/-) mice compared with that in K(b-/-)D (b-/-) mice, this population retains the capacity to expand significantly in response to primary infection with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. However, K(b-/-)D (b-/-)M3(-/-) CD8(+) T cells do not expand upon secondary infection, similar to what has been observed for H2-M3-restricted T cells. CD8(+) T cells isolated from Listeria-infected K(b-/-)D (b-/-)M3(-/-) mice exhibit cytotoxicity and secrete proinflammatory cytokines in response to Listeria-infected APCs. These T cells are protective against primary Listeria infection, as Listeria-infected K(b-/-)D (b-/-)M3(-/-) mice exhibit reduced bacterial burden compared with that of infected β(2)-microglobulin-deficient mice that lack MHC class Ib-restricted CD8(+) T cells altogether. In addition, adoptive transfer of Listeria-experienced K(b-/-)D (b-/-)M3(-/-) splenocytes protects recipient mice against subsequent Listeria infection in a CD8(+) T cell-dependent manner. These data demonstrate that other MHC class Ib-restricted CD8(+) T cells, in addition to H2-M3-restricted T cells, contribute to antilisterial immunity and may contribute to immune responses against other intracellular bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoonsik Cho
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Jay DC, Reed-Loisel LM, Jensen PE. Polyclonal MHC Ib-restricted CD8+ T cells undergo homeostatic expansion in the absence of conventional MHC-restricted T cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2008; 180:2805-14. [PMID: 18292501 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.5.2805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Naive T cells have the capacity to expand in a lymphopenic environment in a process called homeostatic expansion, where they gain a memory-like phenotype. Homeostatic expansion is dependent on competition for a number of factors, including growth factors and interactions with their selecting self-MHC molecules. In contrast to conventional T cells, it is unclear whether class Ib-restricted CD8+ T cells have a capacity to undergo homeostatic expansion. In this study, we demonstrate that polyclonal MHC Ib-restricted CD8+ T cells can undergo homeostatic expansion and that their peripheral expansion is suppressed by conventional MHC-restricted T cells. The acute depletion of CD4+ T cells in MHC class Ia-deficient Kb-/-Db-/- mice led to the substantial expansion of class Ib-restricted CD8+ T cells. Adoptive transfer of class Ib-restricted CD8+ T cells to congenic lymphopenic recipients revealed their ability to undergo homeostatic expansion in a MHC Ib-dependent manner. To further study the homeostatic expansion of MHC Ib-restricted T cells in the absence of all conventional MHC-restricted T cells, we generated mice that express only MHC Ib molecules by crossing H-2Kb-/-Db-/- with CIITA-/- mice. CD8+ T cells in these mice exhibit all of the hallmarks of naive T cells actively undergoing homeostatic expansion with constitutive memory-like surface and functional phenotype. These findings provide direct evidence that MHC Ib-restricted CD8+ T cells have the capacity to undergo homeostatic expansion. Their peripheral expansion is suppressed under normal conditions by a numerical excess of conventional MHC class Ia- and class II-restricted T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Jay
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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Swanson PA, Pack CD, Hadley A, Wang CR, Stroynowski I, Jensen PE, Lukacher AE. An MHC class Ib-restricted CD8 T cell response confers antiviral immunity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 205:1647-57. [PMID: 18541714 PMCID: PMC2442642 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20080570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Although immunity against intracellular pathogens is primarily provided by CD8 T lymphocytes that recognize pathogen-derived peptides presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class Ia molecules, MHC class Ib–restricted CD8 T cells have been implicated in antiviral immunity. Using mouse polyoma virus (PyV), we found that MHC class Ia–deficient (Kb−/−Db−/−) mice efficiently control this persistently infecting mouse pathogen. CD8 T cell depletion mitigates clearance of PyV in Kb−/−Db−/− mice. We identified the ligand for PyV-specific CD8 T cells in Kb−/−Db−/− mice as a nonamer peptide from the VP2 capsid protein presented by Q9, a member of the β2 microglobulin–associated Qa-2 family. Using Q9-VP2 tetramers, we monitored delayed but progressive expansion of these antigen-specific CD8αβ T cells in Kb−/−Db−/− mice. Importantly, we demonstrate that Q9-VP2–specific CD8 T cells more effectively clear wild-type PyV than a VP2 epitopenull mutant PyV. Finally, we show that wild-type mice also generate Q9-restricted VP2 epitope–specific CD8 T cells to PyV infection. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence for a defined MHC class Ib–restricted antiviral CD8 T cell response that contributes to host defense. This study motivates efforts to uncover MHC class Ib–restricted CD8 T cell responses in other viral infections, and given the limited polymorphism of MHC class Ib molecules, it raises the possibility of developing peptide-based viral vaccines having broad coverage across MHC haplotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip A Swanson
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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Non-classical major histocompatibility complex proteins as determinants of tumour immunosurveillance. EMBO Rep 2008; 8:1024-30. [PMID: 17972902 DOI: 10.1038/sj.embor.7401090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2007] [Accepted: 09/13/2007] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumours develop in vertebrate organisms endowed with immune systems that are potentially able to eradicate them. Nevertheless, our ever-increasing understanding of the complex interactions between lymphocytes and tumour cells fuels the long-standing hope of developing efficient immunotherapies against cancer. This review focuses on a versatile family of proteins, the major histocompatibility complex class Ib, which has been recently implicated in both the establishment of anti-tumour immune responses and in tumour immune response evasion. We focus on a subset of class Ib proteins, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G, Qa-2, CD1d and NKG2D ligands, which bind to either stimulatory or inhibitory receptors expressed on T, natural killer (NK) and NKT lymphocytes, and thereby modulate their anti-tumour activity.
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Wischhusen J, Waschbisch A, Wiendl H. Immune-refractory cancers and their little helpers--an extended role for immunetolerogenic MHC molecules HLA-G and HLA-E? Semin Cancer Biol 2007; 17:459-68. [PMID: 17768067 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2007.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2007] [Revised: 07/04/2007] [Accepted: 07/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
There is strong evidence to support a role for non-classical MHC class I (class Ib) molecules, most notably HLA-E and HLA-G in tumour immune escape. In this article, we summarize the current knowledge on their expression, regulation and functional relevance in various malignancies, particularly brain tumours. Special emphasis is devoted to the phenomenon that these tolerogenic molecules are expressed by non-transformed cells that are found in close neighborhood to tumour cells representing either parenchymal cells or immune cells attracted to the tumour microenvironment. Here they may act as "natural" or "inducible" suppressors of anti-tumoural immune responses. We thus speculate about the role of HLA-G expressing T cells, a novel population of natural regulatory cells that was identified recently. It is suggested that various cell types within a tumour cooperate in order to inhibit anti-tumour immunity-and that immunetolerogenic HLA-G may play a major role in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörg Wischhusen
- Department for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, School of Medicine, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 4, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
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