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Iyer RF, Verweij MC, Nair SS, Morrow D, Mansouri M, Chakravarty D, Beechwood T, Meyer C, Uebelhoer L, Lauron EJ, Selseth A, John N, Thin TH, Dzedzik S, Havenar-Daughton C, Axthelm MK, Douglas J, Korman A, Bhardwaj N, Tewari AK, Hansen S, Malouli D, Picker LJ, Früh K. CD8 + T cell targeting of tumor antigens presented by HLA-E. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadm7515. [PMID: 38728394 PMCID: PMC11086602 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm7515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The nonpolymorphic major histocompatibility complex E (MHC-E) molecule is up-regulated on many cancer cells, thus contributing to immune evasion by engaging inhibitory NKG2A/CD94 receptors on NK cells and tumor-infiltrating T cells. To investigate whether MHC-E expression by cancer cells can be targeted for MHC-E-restricted T cell control, we immunized rhesus macaques (RM) with rhesus cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) vectors genetically programmed to elicit MHC-E-restricted CD8+ T cells and to express established tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) including prostatic acidic phosphatase (PAP), Wilms tumor-1 protein, or Mesothelin. T cell responses to all three tumor antigens were comparable to viral antigen-specific responses with respect to frequency, duration, phenotype, epitope density, and MHC restriction. Thus, CMV-vectored cancer vaccines can bypass central tolerance by eliciting T cells to noncanonical epitopes. We further demonstrate that PAP-specific, MHC-E-restricted CD8+ T cells from RhCMV/PAP-immunized RM respond to PAP-expressing HLA-E+ prostate cancer cells, suggesting that the HLA-E/NKG2A immune checkpoint can be exploited for CD8+ T cell-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi F. Iyer
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Marieke C. Verweij
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Sujit S. Nair
- Department of Urology and Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - David Morrow
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Mandana Mansouri
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Dimple Chakravarty
- Department of Urology and Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Teresa Beechwood
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | | | - Luke Uebelhoer
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | | | - Andrea Selseth
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Nessy John
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Tin Htwe Thin
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Siarhei Dzedzik
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | | | - Michael K. Axthelm
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | | | - Alan Korman
- Vir Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA 14158, USA
| | - Nina Bhardwaj
- Department of Urology and Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ashutosh K. Tewari
- Department of Urology and Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Scott Hansen
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Daniel Malouli
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Louis J. Picker
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Klaus Früh
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
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Lee J, Keam B, Park HR, Park JE, Kim S, Kim M, Kim TM, Kim DW, Heo DS. Monalizumab efficacy correlates with HLA-E surface expression and NK cell activity in head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:5705-5715. [PMID: 36547689 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04532-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE NKG2A, an inhibitory receptor expressed on NK cells and T cells, leads to immune evasion by binding to HLA-E expressed on cancer cells. Here, we investigated the relationship between HLA-E surface expression on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines and the efficacy of monalizumab, an NKG2A inhibitor, in promoting NK cell activity. METHODS Six HNSCC cell lines were used as target cells. After exposure to IFN- γ, HLA-E surface expression on HNSCC cell lines was measured by flow cytometry. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors and isolated NK cells were used as effector cells. NK cells were stimulated by treatment with IL-2 and IL-15 for 5 days, and NK cell-induced cytotoxicity was analyzed by CD107a degranulation and 51Cr release assays. RESULTS We confirmed that HLA-E expression was increased by IFN-γ secreted by NK cells and that HLA-E expression was different for each cell line upon exposure to IFN-γ. Cell lines with high HLA-E expression showed stronger inhibition of NK cell cytotoxicity, and efficacy of monalizumab was high. Combination with cetuximab increased the efficacy of monalizumab. In addition, stimulation of isolated NK cells with IL-2 and IL-15 increased the efficacy of monalizumab, even in the HLA-E low groups. CONCLUSION Monalizumab efficacy was correlated with HLA-E surface expression and was enhanced when NK cell activity was increased by cetuximab or cytokines. These results suggest that monalizumab may be potent against HLA-E-positive tumors and that monalizumab efficacy could be improved by promoting NK cell activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeongjae Lee
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Integrated Major in Innovative Medical Science, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bhumsuk Keam
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ha-Ram Park
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Eun Park
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyeon Kim
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Integrated Major in Innovative Medical Science, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Miso Kim
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Min Kim
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Wan Kim
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Integrated Major in Innovative Medical Science, Seoul National University Graduate School, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae Seog Heo
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
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Ravindranath MH, Ravindranath NM, Selvan SR, Hilali FE, Amato-Menker CJ, Filippone EJ. Cell Surface B2m-Free Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Monomers and Dimers: Are They Neo-HLA Class and Proto-HLA? Biomolecules 2023; 13:1178. [PMID: 37627243 PMCID: PMC10452486 DOI: 10.3390/biom13081178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell surface HLA-I molecules (Face-1) consist of a polypeptide heavy chain (HC) with two groove domains (G domain) and one constant domain (C-domain) as well as a light chain, B2-microglobulin (B2m). However, HCs can also independently emerge unfolded on the cell surface without peptides as B2m-free HC monomers (Face-2), B2m-free HC homodimers (Face 3), and B2m-free HC heterodimers (Face-4). The transport of these HLA variants from ER to the cell surface was confirmed by antiviral antibiotics that arrest the release of newly synthesized proteins from the ER. Face-2 occurs at low levels on the normal cell surface of the lung, bronchi, epidermis, esophagus, breast, stomach, ilium, colorectum, gall bladder, urinary bladder, seminal vesicles ovarian epithelia, endometrium, thymus, spleen, and lymphocytes. They are upregulated on immune cells upon activation by proinflammatory cytokines, anti-CD3 antibodies, antibiotics (e.g., ionomycin), phytohemagglutinin, retinoic acid, and phorbol myristate acetate. Their density on the cell surface remains high as long as the cells remain in an activated state. After activation-induced upregulation, the Face-2 molecules undergo homo- and hetero-dimerization (Face-3 and Face-4). Alterations in the redox environment promote dimerization. Heterodimerization can occur among and between the alleles of different haplotypes. The glycosylation of these variants differ from that of Face-1, and they may occur with bound exogenous peptides. Spontaneous arthritis occurs in HLA-B27+ mice lacking B2m (HLA-B27+ B2m-/-) but not in HLA-B27+ B2m+/- mice. The mice with HLA-B27 in Face-2 spontaneous configuration develop symptoms such as changes in nails and joints, hair loss, and swelling in paws, leading to ankyloses. Anti-HC-specific mAbs delay disease development. Some HLA-I polyreactive mAbs (MEM series) used for immunostaining confirm the existence of B2m-free variants in several cancer cells. The upregulation of Face-2 in human cancers occurs concomitantly with the downregulation of intact HLAs (Face-1). The HLA monomeric and dimeric variants interact with inhibitory and activating ligands (e.g., KIR), growth factors, cytokines, and neurotransmitters. Similarities in the amino acid sequences of the HLA-I variants and HLA-II β-chain suggest that Face-2 could be the progenitor of both HLA classes. These findings may support the recognition of these variants as a neo-HLA class and proto-HLA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mepur H. Ravindranath
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
- Terasaki Foundation Laboratory, Santa Monica, CA 90064, USA
| | - Narendranath M. Ravindranath
- Norris Dental Science Center, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA;
| | - Senthamil R. Selvan
- Division of Immunology and Hematology Devices, OHT 7: Office of In Vitro Diagnostics, Office of Product Evaluation and Quality, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA;
| | - Fatiha El Hilali
- Medico-Surgical, Biomedicine and Infectiology Research Laboratory, The Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Laayoune & Agadir, Ibnou Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco;
| | - Carly J. Amato-Menker
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA;
| | - Edward J. Filippone
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19145, USA;
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Prašnikar E, Perdih A, Borišek J. What a Difference an Amino Acid Makes: An All-Atom Simulation Study of Nonameric Peptides in Inhibitory HLA-E/NKG2A/CD94 Immune Complexes. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:925427. [PMID: 35991867 PMCID: PMC9385950 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.925427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
MHC class I antigen E (HLA-E), a ligand for the inhibitory NKG2A/CD94 receptor of the immune system, is responsible for evading the immune surveillance in several settings, including senescent cell accumulation and tumor persistence. The formation of this ligand-receptor interaction promotes the inhibition of the cytolytic action of immune system natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T-cells expressing this receptor. The final outcome of the HLA-E/NKG2A/CD94 interaction on target cells is also highly dependent on the identity of the nonameric peptide incorporated into the HLA-E ligand. To better understand the role played by a nonameric peptide in these immune complexes, we performed a series of multi-microsecond all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. We generated natural and alternative variants of the nonameric peptide bound to the HLA-E ligand alone or in the HLA-E/NKG2A/CD94 complexes. A systematic study of molecular recognition between HLA-E and peptides led to the development of new variants that differ at the strategic 6th position (P6) of the peptide and have favorable in silico properties comparable to those of natural binding peptides. Further examination of a selected subset of peptides in full complexes revealed a new variant that, according to our previously derived atomistic model, can interfere with the signal transduction via HLA-E/NKG2A/CD94 and thus prevent the target cell from evading immune clearance by NK and CD8+ T-cells. These simulations provide an atomistic picture of how a small change in amino acid sequence can lead to a profound effect on binding and molecular recognition. Furthermore, our study also provides new data on the peptide interaction motifs as well as the energetic and conformational properties of the binding interface, laying the structure-based foundation for future development of potential therapeutic peptides, peptidomimetics, or even small molecules that would bind to the HLA-E ligand and abrogate NKG2A/CD94 recognition. Such external intervention would be useful in the emerging field of targeting senescent cells in a variety of age-related diseases, as well as in novel cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Prašnikar
- Theory Department, Laboratory for Chemical Informatics, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andrej Perdih
- Theory Department, Laboratory for Computational Biochemistry and Drug Design, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- *Correspondence: Andrej Perdih, ; Jure Borišek,
| | - Jure Borišek
- Theory Department, Laboratory for Chemical Informatics, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- *Correspondence: Andrej Perdih, ; Jure Borišek,
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D'Amico S, D'Alicandro V, Compagnone M, Tempora P, Guida G, Romania P, Lucarini V, Melaiu O, Falco M, Algeri M, Pende D, Cifaldi L, Fruci D. ERAP1 Controls the Interaction of the Inhibitory Receptor KIR3DL1 With HLA-B51:01 by Affecting Natural Killer Cell Function. Front Immunol 2021; 12:778103. [PMID: 34917091 PMCID: PMC8669763 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.778103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase ERAP1 regulates innate and adaptive immune responses by trimming peptides for presentation by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. Previously, we have shown that genetic or pharmacological inhibition of ERAP1 on murine and human tumor cell lines perturbs the engagement of NK cell inhibitory receptors Ly49C/I and Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs), respectively, by their specific ligands (MHC class I molecules), thus leading to NK cell killing. However, the effect of ERAP1 inhibition in tumor cells was highly variable, suggesting that its efficacy may depend on several factors, including MHC class I typing. To identify MHC class I alleles and KIRs that are more sensitive to ERAP1 depletion, we stably silenced ERAP1 expression in human HLA class I-negative B lymphoblastoid cell line 721.221 (referred to as 221) transfected with a panel of KIR ligands (i.e. HLA-B*51:01, -Cw3, -Cw4 and -Cw7), or HLA-A2 which does not bind any KIR, and tested their ability to induce NK cell degranulation and cytotoxicity. No change in HLA class I surface expression was detected in all 221 transfectant cells after ERAP1 depletion. In contrast, CD107a expression levels were significantly increased on NK cells stimulated with 221-B*51:01 cells lacking ERAP1, particularly in the KIR3DL1-positive NK cell subset. Consistently, genetic or pharmacological inhibition of ERAP1 impaired the recognition of HLA-B*51:01 by the YTS NK cell overexpressing KIR3DL1*001, suggesting that ERAP1 inhibition renders HLA-B*51:01 molecules less eligible for binding to KIR3DL1. Overall, these results identify HLA-B*51:01/KIR3DL1 as one of the most susceptible combinations for ERAP1 inhibition, suggesting that individuals carrying HLA-B*51:01-like antigens may be candidates for immunotherapy based on pharmacological inhibition of ERAP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia D'Amico
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology and of Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio D'Alicandro
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology and of Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Mirco Compagnone
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology and of Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Tempora
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology and of Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Giusy Guida
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology and of Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Romania
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology and of Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Lucarini
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology and of Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Ombretta Melaiu
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology and of Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Falco
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Integrated Department of Services and Laboratories, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mattia Algeri
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology and of Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Pende
- Laboratory of Immunology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Loredana Cifaldi
- Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Doriana Fruci
- Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology and of Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
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Prašnikar E, Perdih A, Borišek J. All-Atom Simulations Reveal a Key Interaction Network in the HLA-E/NKG2A/CD94 Immune Complex Fine-Tuned by the Nonameric Peptide. J Chem Inf Model 2021; 61:3593-3603. [PMID: 34196180 PMCID: PMC8389527 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells, an important part of the innate immune system, can clear a wide variety of pathological challenges, including tumor, senescent, and virally infected cells. They express various activating and inhibitory receptors on their surface, and the balance of interactions between them and specific ligands displayed on the surface of target cells is critical for NK cell cytolytic function and target cell protection. The CD94/NKG2A heterodimer is one of the inhibitory receptors that interacts with its trimeric ligand consisting of HLA-E, β2m, and a nonameric peptide. Here, multi-microsecond-long all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of eight immune complexes elucidate the subtleties of receptor (NKG2A/CD94)-ligand (HLA-E/β2m/peptide) molecular recognition that mediate the NK cell protection from a geometric and energetic perspective. We identify key differences in the interactions between the receptor and ligand complexes, which are via an entangled network of hydrogen bonds fine-tuned by the ligand-specific nonameric peptide. We further reveal that the receptor protein NKG2A regulates the NK cell activity, while its CD94 partner forms the majority of the energetically important interactions with the ligand. This knowledge rationalizes the atomistic details of the fundamental NK cell protection mechanism and may enable a variety of opportunities in rational-based drug discovery for diverse pathologies including viral infections and cancer and elimination of senescent cells associated with potential treatment of many age-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Prašnikar
- National
Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Graduate
School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andrej Perdih
- National
Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty
of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jure Borišek
- National
Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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7
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The Potential of Soluble Human Leukocyte Antigen Molecules for Early Cancer Detection and Therapeutic Vaccine Design. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8040775. [PMID: 33353014 PMCID: PMC7766713 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules are essential for anti-tumor immunity, as they display tumor-derived peptides to drive tumor eradication by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. HLA molecules are primarily studied as peptide-loaded complexes on cell membranes (mHLA) and much less attention is given to their secretion as soluble HLA–peptide complexes (sHLA) into bodily fluids. Yet sHLA levels are altered in various pathologies including cancer, and are thus of high interest as biomarkers. Disconcordance in results across studies, however, hampers interpretation and generalization of the relationship between sHLA levels and cancer presence, thereby impairing its use as a biomarker. Furthermore, the question remains to what extent sHLA complexes exert immunomodulatory effects and whether shifts in sHLA levels contribute to disease or are only a consequence of disease. sHLA complexes can also bear tumor-derived peptides and recent advancements in mass spectrometry now permit closer sHLA peptide cargo analysis. sHLA peptide cargo may represent a “liquid biopsy” that could facilitate the use of sHLA for cancer diagnosis and target identification for therapeutic vaccination. This review aims to outline the contradictory and unexplored aspects of sHLA and to provide direction on how the full potential of sHLA as a quantitative and qualitative biomarker can be exploited.
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Bashirova AA, Viard M, Naranbhai V, Grifoni A, Garcia-Beltran W, Akdag M, Yuki Y, Gao X, O'hUigin C, Raghavan M, Wolinsky S, Bream JH, Duggal P, Martinson J, Michael NL, Kirk GD, Buchbinder SP, Haas D, Goedert JJ, Deeks SG, Fellay J, Walker B, Goulder P, Cresswell P, Elliott T, Sette A, Carlson J, Carrington M. HLA tapasin independence: broader peptide repertoire and HIV control. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:28232-28238. [PMID: 33097667 PMCID: PMC7668082 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2013554117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I allotypes vary in their ability to present peptides in the absence of tapasin, an essential component of the peptide loading complex. We quantified tapasin dependence of all allotypes that are common in European and African Americans (n = 97), which revealed a broad continuum of values. Ex vivo examination of cytotoxic T cell responses to the entire HIV-1 proteome from infected subjects indicates that tapasin-dependent allotypes present a more limited set of distinct peptides than do tapasin-independent allotypes, data supported by computational predictions. This suggests that variation in tapasin dependence may impact the strength of the immune responses by altering peptide repertoire size. In support of this model, we observed that individuals carrying HLA class I genotypes characterized by greater tapasin independence progress more slowly to AIDS and maintain lower viral loads, presumably due to increased breadth of peptide presentation. Thus, tapasin dependence level, like HLA zygosity, may serve as a means to restrict or expand breadth of the HLA-I peptide repertoire across humans, ultimately influencing immune responses to pathogens and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arman A Bashirova
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Mathias Viard
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Vivek Naranbhai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Alba Grifoni
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Wilfredo Garcia-Beltran
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Marjan Akdag
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Yuko Yuki
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Xiaojiang Gao
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Colm O'hUigin
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Malini Raghavan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Steven Wolinsky
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Jay H Bream
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Priya Duggal
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Jeremy Martinson
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
| | - Nelson L Michael
- US Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910
| | - Gregory D Kirk
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Susan P Buchbinder
- HIV Research Section, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, CA 94102
| | - David Haas
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37204
| | - James J Goedert
- Infections and Immunoepidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Steven G Deeks
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94110
| | - Jacques Fellay
- School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bruce Walker
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Philip Goulder
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 4AJ, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Cresswell
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Tim Elliott
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandro Sette
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | | | - Mary Carrington
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702;
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139
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9
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Ravindranath MH, Filippone EJ, Devarajan A, Asgharzadeh S. Enhancing Natural Killer and CD8 + T Cell-Mediated Anticancer Cytotoxicity and Proliferation of CD8 + T Cells with HLA-E Monospecific Monoclonal Antibodies. Monoclon Antib Immunodiagn Immunother 2019; 38:38-59. [PMID: 31009335 PMCID: PMC6634170 DOI: 10.1089/mab.2018.0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic NK/CD8+ T cells interact with MHC-I ligands on tumor cells through either activating or inhibiting receptors. One of the inhibitory receptors is CD94/NKG2A. The NK/CD8+ T cell cytotoxic capability is lost when tumor-associated human leukocyte antigen, HLA-E, binds the CD94/NKG2A receptor, resulting in tumor progression and reduced survival. Failure of cancer patients to respond to natural killer (NK) cell therapies could be due to HLA-E overexpression in tumor tissues. Preventing the inhibitory receptor-ligand interaction by either receptor- or ligand-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is an innovative passive immunotherapeutic strategy for cancer. Since receptors and ligands can be monomeric or homo- or heterodimeric proteins, the efficacy of mAbs may rely on their ability to distinguish monospecific (private) functional epitopes from nonfunctional common (public) epitopes. We developed monospecific anti-HLA-E mAbs (e.g., TFL-033) that recognize only HLA-E-specific epitopes, but not epitopes shared with other HLA class-I loci as occurs with currently available polyreactive anti-HLA-E mAbs. Interestingly the amino acid sequences in the α1 and α2 helices of HLA-E, critical for the recognition of the mAb TFL-033, are strikingly the same sequences recognized by the CD94/NKG2A inhibitory receptors on NK/CD8+ cells. Such monospecific mAbs can block the CD94/NKG2A interaction with HLA-E to restore NK cell and CD8+ anticancer cell cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the HLA-E monospecific mAbs significantly promoted the proliferation of the CD4-/CD8+ T cells. These monospecific mAbs are also invaluable for the specific demonstration of HLA-E on tumor biopsies, potentially indicating those tumors most likely to respond to such therapy. Thus, they can be used to enhance passive immunotherapy once phased preclinical studies and clinical trials are completed. On principle, we postulate that NK cell passive immunotherapy should capitalize on both of these features of monospecific HLA-E mAbs, that is, the specific determination HLA-E expression on a particular tumor and the enhancement of NK cell/CD8+ cytotoxicity if HLA-E positive.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward J Filippone
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Asokan Devarajan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Shahab Asgharzadeh
- Department of Pediatrics and Pathology, Children's Hospital, Keck School of Medicine, USC, Los Angeles, California
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10
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Walters LC, Harlos K, Brackenridge S, Rozbesky D, Barrett JR, Jain V, Walter TS, O'Callaghan CA, Borrow P, Toebes M, Hansen SG, Sacha JB, Abdulhaqq S, Greene JM, Früh K, Marshall E, Picker LJ, Jones EY, McMichael AJ, Gillespie GM. Pathogen-derived HLA-E bound epitopes reveal broad primary anchor pocket tolerability and conformationally malleable peptide binding. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3137. [PMID: 30087334 PMCID: PMC6081459 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05459-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Through major histocompatibility complex class Ia leader sequence-derived (VL9) peptide binding and CD94/NKG2 receptor engagement, human leucocyte antigen E (HLA-E) reports cellular health to NK cells. Previous studies demonstrated a strong bias for VL9 binding by HLA-E, a preference subsequently supported by structural analyses. However, Mycobacteria tuberculosis (Mtb) infection and Rhesus cytomegalovirus-vectored SIV vaccinations revealed contexts where HLA-E and the rhesus homologue, Mamu-E, presented diverse pathogen-derived peptides to CD8+ T cells, respectively. Here we present crystal structures of HLA-E in complex with HIV and Mtb-derived peptides. We show that despite the presence of preferred primary anchor residues, HLA-E-bound peptides can adopt alternative conformations within the peptide binding groove. Furthermore, combined structural and mutagenesis analyses illustrate a greater tolerance for hydrophobic and polar residues in the primary pockets than previously appreciated. Finally, biochemical studies reveal HLA-E peptide binding and exchange characteristics with potential relevance to its alternative antigen presenting function in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy C Walters
- Nuffield Department of Medicine Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Karl Harlos
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Roosevelt Drive, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Simon Brackenridge
- Nuffield Department of Medicine Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Daniel Rozbesky
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Roosevelt Drive, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Jordan R Barrett
- Nuffield Department of Medicine Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Vitul Jain
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Roosevelt Drive, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Thomas S Walter
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Roosevelt Drive, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Chris A O'Callaghan
- Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Persephone Borrow
- Nuffield Department of Medicine Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Mireille Toebes
- Department Molecular Oncology and Immunology, B6 Plesmanlaan 121, Amsterdam, 1066CX, The Netherlands
| | - Scott G Hansen
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Jonah B Sacha
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Shaheed Abdulhaqq
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Justin M Greene
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Klaus Früh
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Emily Marshall
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Louis J Picker
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute and Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - E Yvonne Jones
- Division of Structural Biology, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Roosevelt Drive, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Andrew J McMichael
- Nuffield Department of Medicine Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK.
| | - Geraldine M Gillespie
- Nuffield Department of Medicine Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK.
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11
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Cauli A, Dessole G, Piga M, Angioni MM, Pinna S, Floris A, Congia M, Mascia E, Paladini F, Tedeschi V, Sorrentino R, Fiorillo MT, Mathieu A. Expression analysis of HLA-E and NKG2A and NKG2C receptors points at a role for natural killer function in ankylosing spondylitis. RMD Open 2018; 4:e000597. [PMID: 30018803 PMCID: PMC6045714 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2017-000597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a complex chronic inflammatory disease strongly associated with the majority of human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 alleles. HLA-E molecules are non-classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules that specifically interact with the natural killer receptors NKG2A (inhibitory) and NKG2C (activating), and have been recently proposed to be involved in AS pathogenesis.''. Objective To analyse the expression of HLA-E and the CD94/NKG2 pair of receptors in HLA-B27-positive patients with AS and healthy controls (HC) bearing the AS-associated B*2705 and the non-AS-associated B*2709 alleles. Methods The level of surface expression of HLA-E molecules on CD14+ peripheral blood mononuclear cell was evaluated in 21 HLA-B*2705 patients with AS, 12 HLA-B*2705 HC, 12 HLA-B*2709 HC and 6 HLA-B27-negative HC using the monoclonal antibody MEM-E/08 by quantitative cytofluorimetric analysis. The percentage and density of expression of HLA-E ligands NKG2A and NKG2C were also measured on CD3-CD56+ NK cells. Results HLA-E expression in CD14+ cells was significantly higher in patients with AS (587.0, IQR 424-830) compared with B*2705 HC (389, IQR 251.3-440.5; p=0.0007), B*2709 HC (294.5, IQR 209.5-422; p=0.0004) and HLA-B27-negative HC (380, IQR 197.3-515.0; p=0.01). A higher number of NK cells expressing NKG2A compared with NKG2C were found in all cohorts analysed, as well as a higher cell surface density. Conclusion The higher surface level of HLA-E molecules in patients with AS compared with HC, concurrently with a prevalent expression of NKG2A, suggests that the crosstalk between these two molecules might play a role in AS pathogenesis, accounting for the previously reported association between HLA-E and AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Cauli
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Grazia Dessole
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Matteo Piga
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Maddalena Angioni
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Silvia Pinna
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alberto Floris
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Mattia Congia
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Enrico Mascia
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Fabiana Paladini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Tedeschi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Sorrentino
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Fiorillo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Mathieu
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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12
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Camilli G, Cassotta A, Battella S, Palmieri G, Santoni A, Paladini F, Fiorillo MT, Sorrentino R. Regulation and trafficking of the HLA-E molecules during monocyte-macrophage differentiation. J Leukoc Biol 2016; 99:121-30. [PMID: 26310830 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.1a0415-172r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2015] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
HLA-E is a nonclassical HLA-class I molecule whose best known role is to protect from the natural killer cells. More recently, an additional function more similar to that of classical HLA-class I molecules, i.e., antigen presentation to T cells, is emerging. However, much remains to be explored about the intracellular trafficking of the HLA-E molecules. With the use of 3 different cellular contexts, 2 monocytic cell lines, U937 and THP1, and peripheral blood monocytes, we show here a remarkable increase of HLA-E during monocyte-macrophage differentiation. This goes independently from the classical HLA-class I, the main source of HLA-E-specific peptides, which is found strongly up-regulated upon differentiation of peripheral blood monocytes but not at all in the case of U937 and THP1 cell lines. Although in all cases, there was a moderate increase of HLA-E expressed in the cell surface, lysis by natural killer cells is comparably restored by an anti-NKG2A antibody in untreated as well as in PMA-differentiated U937 cells. Instead, the great majority of the HLA-E is retained in the vesicles of the autophagy-lysosome network, where they colocalize with the microtubule-associated protein light chain 3, as well as with the lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1. We conclude that differently from the classical HLA-class I molecules, the primary destination of the newly synthesized HLA-E molecules in macrophages is, rather than the cell membrane, the intracellular autophagy-lysosomal vesicles where they are stored and where they can encounter the exogenous antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Camilli
- Departments of *Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin," Experimental Medicine, and Molecular Medicine, and Institute Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Antonino Cassotta
- Departments of *Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin," Experimental Medicine, and Molecular Medicine, and Institute Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Battella
- Departments of *Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin," Experimental Medicine, and Molecular Medicine, and Institute Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella Palmieri
- Departments of *Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin," Experimental Medicine, and Molecular Medicine, and Institute Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Santoni
- Departments of *Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin," Experimental Medicine, and Molecular Medicine, and Institute Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Fabiana Paladini
- Departments of *Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin," Experimental Medicine, and Molecular Medicine, and Institute Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Fiorillo
- Departments of *Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin," Experimental Medicine, and Molecular Medicine, and Institute Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Sorrentino
- Departments of *Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin," Experimental Medicine, and Molecular Medicine, and Institute Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
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13
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Goyos A, Guethlein LA, Horowitz A, Hilton HG, Gleimer M, Brodsky FM, Parham P. A Distinctive Cytoplasmic Tail Contributes to Low Surface Expression and Intracellular Retention of the Patr-AL MHC Class I Molecule. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 195:3725-36. [PMID: 26371256 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1500397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Chimpanzees have orthologs of the six fixed, functional human MHC class I genes. But, in addition, the chimpanzee has a seventh functional gene, Patr-AL, which is not polymorphic but contributes substantially to population diversity by its presence on only 50% of MHC haplotypes. The ancestral AL gene emerged long before the separation of human and chimpanzee ancestors and then subsequently and specifically lost function during human evolution, but was maintained in chimpanzees. Patr-AL is an alloantigen that participates in negative and positive selection of the T cell repertoire. The three-dimensional structure and the peptide-binding repertoire of Patr-AL and HLA-A*02 are surprisingly similar. In contrast, the expression of these two molecules is very different, as shown using specific mAbs and polyclonal Abs made against Patr-AL. Peripheral blood cells and B cell lines express low levels of Patr-AL at the cell surface. Higher levels are seen for 221-cell transfectants expressing Patr-AL, but in these cells a large majority of Patr-AL molecules are retained in the early compartments of the secretory pathway: mainly the endoplasmic reticulum, but also cis-Golgi. Replacing the cytoplasmic tail of Patr-AL with that of HLA-A*02 increased the cell-surface expression of Patr-AL substantially. Four substitutions distinguish the Patr-AL and HLA-A*02 cytoplasmic tails. Systematic mutagenesis showed that each substitution contributes changes in cell-surface expression. The combination of residues present in Patr-AL appears unique, but each individual residue is present in other primate MHC class I molecules, notably MHC-E, the most ancient of the functional human MHC class I molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Goyos
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305; Stanford Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Lisbeth A Guethlein
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Amir Horowitz
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305; Stanford Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Hugo G Hilton
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Michael Gleimer
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305; Stanford Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Frances M Brodsky
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143; and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Peter Parham
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305; Stanford Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305;
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14
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Picardi A, Mengarelli A, Marino M, Gallo E, Benevolo M, Pescarmona E, Cocco R, Fraioli R, Tremante E, Petti MC, De Fabritiis P, Giacomini P. Up-regulation of activating and inhibitory NKG2 receptors in allogeneic and autologous hematopoietic stem cell grafts. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2015; 34:98. [PMID: 26361968 PMCID: PMC4567793 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-015-0213-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) is known to induce the inhibitory immune receptor NKG2A on NK cells of donor origin. This occurs in allogeneic recipients, in both the haploidentical and HLA-matched settings. Methods To gain further insight, not only NKG2A, but also the activating receptors NKG2C and NKG2D were assessed by flow cytometry. Immunophenotyping was carried out not only on CD56+ but also on CD8+ lymphocytes from leukemia and lymphoma patients, receiving both HLA-matched (n = 7) and autologous (n = 5) HSCT grafts. Moreover, cognate NKG2 ligands (HLA-E, MICA, ULBP-1, ULBP-2 and ULBP-3) were assessed by immunohistochemistry in diagnostic biopsies from three autotransplanted patients, and at relapse in one case. Results All the NKG2 receptors were simultaneously up-regulated in all the allotransplanted patients on CD8+ and/or CD56+ cells between 30 and 90 days post-transplant, coinciding with, or following, allogeneic engraftment. Up-regulation was of lesser entity and restricted to CD8+ cells in the autotransplantation setting. The phenotypic expression ratio between activating and inhibitory NKG2 receptors was remarkably similar in all the patients, except two outliers (a long survivor and a short survivor) who surprisingly displayed a similar NKG2 activation immunophenotype. Tumor expression of 2 to 3 out of the 5 tested NKG2 ligands was observed in 3/3 diagnostic biopsies, and 3 ligands were up-regulated post-transplant in a patient. Conclusions Altogether, these results are consistent with a dual (activation-inhibition) NK cell re-education mode, an innate-like T cell re-tuning, and a ligand:receptor interplay between the tumor and the immune system following HSCT including, most interestingly, the up-regulation of several activating NKG2 ligands. Turning the immune receptor balance toward activation on both T and NK cells of donor origin may complement ex vivo NK cell expansion/activation strategies in unmanipulated patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13046-015-0213-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Picardi
- Hematology, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Andrea Mengarelli
- Hematology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
| | - Mirella Marino
- Pathology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
| | - Enzo Gallo
- Pathology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
| | - Maria Benevolo
- Pathology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
| | - Edoardo Pescarmona
- Pathology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
| | - Roberta Cocco
- Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy. .,Present address: Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, ASL Lanciano-Vasto-Chieti, Via Anello 66016, Guardiagrele, CH, Italy.
| | - Rocco Fraioli
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
| | - Elisa Tremante
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
| | - Maria Concetta Petti
- Hematology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
| | - Paolo De Fabritiis
- Hematology, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Patrizio Giacomini
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
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15
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Tremante E, Lo Monaco E, Ingegnere T, Sampaoli C, Fraioli R, Giacomini P. Monoclonal antibodies to HLA-E bind epitopes carried by unfolded β2 m-free heavy chains. Eur J Immunol 2015; 45:2356-64. [PMID: 25982269 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201545446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2015] [Revised: 04/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Since HLA-E heavy chains accumulate free of their light β2 -microglobulin (β2 m) subunit, raising mAbs to folded HLA-E heterodimers has been difficult, and mAb characterization has been controversial. Herein, mAb W6/32 and 5 HLA-E-restricted mAbs (MEM-E/02, MEM-E/07, MEM-E/08, DT9, and 3D12) were tested on denatured, acid-treated, and natively folded (both β2 m-associated and β2 m-free) HLA-E molecules. Four distinct conformations were detected, including unusual, partially folded (and yet β2 m-free) heavy chains reactive with mAb DT9. In contrast with previous studies, epitope mapping and substitution scan on thousands of overlapping peptides printed on microchips revealed that mAbs MEM-E/02, MEM-E/07, and MEM-E/08 bind three distinct α1 and α2 domain epitopes. All three epitopes are linear since they span just 4-6 residues and are "hidden" in folded HLA-E heterodimers. They contain at least one HLA-E-specific residue that cannot be replaced by single substitutions with polymorphic HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-F, and HLA-G residues. Finally, also the MEM-E/02 and 3D12 epitopes are spatially distinct. In summary, HLA-E-specific residues are dominantly immunogenic, but only when heavy chains are locally unfolded. Consequently, the available mAbs fail to selectively bind conformed HLA-E heterodimers, and HLA-E expression may have been inaccurately assessed in some previous oncology, reproductive immunology, virology, and transplantation studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Tremante
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Lo Monaco
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziano Ingegnere
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Camilla Sampaoli
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Rocco Fraioli
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizio Giacomini
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
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16
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Reimers MS, Engels CC, Putter H, Morreau H, Liefers GJ, van de Velde CJH, Kuppen PJK. Prognostic value of HLA class I, HLA-E, HLA-G and Tregs in rectal cancer: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Cancer 2014; 14:486. [PMID: 24997850 PMCID: PMC4094545 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-14-486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2014] [Accepted: 06/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evasion of immune surveillance and suppression of the immune system are important hallmarks of tumorigenesis. The goal of this study was to establish distinct patterns that reflect a rectal tumors' immune-phenotype and to determine their relation to patient outcome. METHODS The study population consisted of 495 Stage I-IV non-preoperatively treated rectal cancer patients of which a tissue micro array (TMA) was available. Sections of this TMA were immunohistochemically stained and quantified for presence of Foxp3+ cells (Tregs) and tumor expression of HLA Class I and non-classical HLA-E and HLA-G. All markers were, separate and combined, analyzed for clinical prognostic value. RESULTS Expression of HLA class I (DFS HR 0.637 (0.458-0.886), p = 0.013), Foxp3+ infiltration above median (OS HR 0.637 (0.500-0.813), p < 0.001 and DFS HR 0.624 (0.491-0.793), p < 0.001) and expression of HLA-G (DFS HR 0.753 (0.574-0.989), p = 0.042) were related to a better clinical prognosis. When these markers were combined, patients with 2 or 3 markers associated with poor prognosis (loss of HLA Class I, Foxp3+ below median, and weak HLA-G expression), showed a significantly worse survival (OS and DFS p < 0.001). This immune-phenotype was an independent predictor for DFS (HR 1.56 (1.14-2.14), p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, rectal tumors showing loss of HLA class I expression, Foxp3+ infiltration below median and weak HLA-G expression were related to a worse OS and DFS. Combining these immune markers lead to the creation of tumor immune-phenotypes , which related to patient outcome and were significant independent clinical prognostic markers in rectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlies S Reimers
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Charla C Engels
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hein Putter
- Department of Medical Statistics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Morreau
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gerrit Jan Liefers
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Peter JK Kuppen
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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17
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Zeestraten ECM, Reimers MS, Saadatmand S, Dekker JWT, Liefers GJ, van den Elsen PJ, van de Velde CJH, Kuppen PJK. Combined analysis of HLA class I, HLA-E and HLA-G predicts prognosis in colon cancer patients. Br J Cancer 2014; 110:459-68. [PMID: 24196788 PMCID: PMC3899753 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2013.696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Revised: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evasion of immune surveillance and suppression of the immune system are important hallmarks of tumour development in colon cancer. The goal of this study was to establish a tumour profile based on biomarkers that reflect a tumour's immune susceptibility status and to determine their relation to patient outcome. METHODS The study population consisted of 285 stage I-IV colon cancer patients of which a tissue micro array (TMA) was available. Sections were immunohistochemically stained for the presence of Foxp3+ cells and tumour expression of HLA Class I (HLA-A, -B, -C) and non-classical HLA-E and HLA-G. All markers were combined for further analyses, resulting in three tumour immune phenotypes: strong immune system tumour recognition, intermediate immune system tumour recognition and poor immune system tumour recognition. RESULTS Loss of HLA class I expression was significantly related to a better OS (P-value 0.005) and DFS (P-value 0.008). Patients with tumours who showed neither HLA class I nor HLA-E or -G expression (phenotype a) had a significant better OS and DFS (P-value <0.001 and 0.001, respectively) compared with phenotype b (OS HR: 4.7, 95% CI: 1.2-19.0, P=0.001) or c (OS HR: 8.2, 95% CI: 2.0-34.2, P=0.0001). Further, the tumour immune phenotype was an independent predictor for OS and DFS (P-value 0.009 and 0.013, respectively). CONCLUSION Tumours showing absence of HLA class I, HLA-E and HLA-G expressions were related to a better OS and DFS. By combining the expression status of several immune-related biomarkers, three tumour immune phenotypes were created that related to patient outcome. These immune phenotypes represented significant, independent, clinical prognostic profiles in colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- E C M Zeestraten
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - M S Reimers
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - S Saadatmand
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J-W T Dekker
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - G J Liefers
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - P J van den Elsen
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, de Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C J H van de Velde
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - P J K Kuppen
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
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18
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Tremante E, Ginebri A, Lo Monaco E, Benassi B, Frascione P, Grammatico P, Cappellacci S, Catricalà C, Arcelli D, Natali PG, Di Filippo F, Mottolese M, Visca P, Benevolo M, Giacomini P. A melanoma immune response signature including Human Leukocyte Antigen-E. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2014; 27:103-12. [PMID: 24011128 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2012] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Paired cultures of early-passage melanoma cells and melanocytes were established from metastatic lesions and the uninvolved skin of five patients. In this stringent autologous setting, cDNA profiling was used to analyze a subset of 1477 genes selected by the Gene Ontology term 'immune response'. Human Leukocyte Antigen E (HLA-E) was ranked 19th among melanoma-overexpressed genes and was embedded in a transformation signature including its preferred peptide ligand donors HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, and HLA-G. Mostly undetectable in normal skin and 39 nevi (including rare and atypical lesions), HLA-E was detected by immunohistochemistry in 17/30 (57%) and 32/48 (67%) primary and metastatic lesions, respectively. Accordingly, surface HLA-E was higher on melanoma cells than on melanocytes and protected the former (6/6 cell lines) from lysis by natural killer (NK) cells, functionally counteracting co-expressed triggering ligands. Although lacking HLA-E, melanocytes (4/4 cultures) were nevertheless (and surprisingly) fully protected from NK cell lysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Tremante
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
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19
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Lo Monaco E, Tremante E, Biswas P, Cranage MP, Zipeto D, Beretta A, Giacomini P. Comment on "Influence of HLA-C expression level on HIV control". Science 2013; 341:1175. [PMID: 24031002 DOI: 10.1126/science.1241266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Apps et al. (Reports, 5 April 2013, p. 87) found that high human leukocyte antigen C (HLA-C) expression favors HIV-1 control. However, as noted here, HLA-C was assessed with a monoclonal antibody (DT9) that cross-reacts with HLA-E. In the context of the available evidence, this is consistent with the idea that the two leukocyte antigens collaborate to keep the HIV-1 virus at bay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Lo Monaco
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori Regina Elena, Via delle Messi d'Oro 156, 00158 Roma, Italy
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20
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Apps R, Carrington M. Response to Comment on "Influence of HLA-C expression level on HIV control". Science 2013; 341:1175. [PMID: 24031003 DOI: 10.1126/science.1241854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Lo Monaco et al. propose that human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E) and HLA-C expression levels both contribute to HIV control. The minimal, flat level of cell surface HLA-E detectable by staining with available HLA-E-specific antibodies questions a role for differential HLA-E expression in determining HIV control. Evidence remains far stronger that HLA-C expression levels as detected by the DT9 antibody specifically affect HIV control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Apps
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Science Applications International Corporation Frederick, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
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21
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Abonnenc M, Manaresi N, Borgatti M, Medoro G, Fabbri E, Romani A, Altomare L, Tartagni M, Rizzo R, Baricordi O, Tremante E, Lo Monaco E, Giacomini P, Guerrieri R, Gambari R. Programmable interactions of functionalized single bioparticles in a dielectrophoresis-based microarray chip. Anal Chem 2013; 85:8219-24. [PMID: 23968491 DOI: 10.1021/ac401296m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Manipulating single biological objects is a major unmet challenge of biomedicine. Herein, we describe a lab-on-a-chip platform based on dielectrophoresis (DEP). The DEParray is a prototypal version consisting of 320 × 320 arrayed electrodes generating >10,000 spherical DEP cages. It allows the capture and software-guided movement to predetermined spatial coordinates of single biological objects. With the DEParray we demonstrate (a) forced interaction between a single, preselected target cell and a programmable number of either microspheres or natural killer (NK) cells, (b) on-chip immunophenotypic discrimination of individual cells based on differential rosetting with microspheres functionalized with monoclonal antibodies to an inhibitory NK cell ligand (HLA-G), (c) on-chip, real-time (few minutes) assessment of immune lysis by either visual inspection or semiautomated, time-lapse reading of a fluorescent dye released from NK cell-sensitive targets, and (d) manipulation and immunophenotyping with limiting amounts (about 500) cells. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing a DEP-based lab-on-a-chip platform for the quick, arrayed, software-guided binding of individually moved biological objects, the targeting of single cells with microspheres, and the real-time characterization of immunophenotypes. The DEParray candidates as a discovery tool for novel cell:cell interactions with no prior (immuno)phenotypic knowledge.
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22
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Fruci D, Benevolo M, Cifaldi L, Lorenzi S, Lo Monaco E, Tremante E, Giacomini P. Major histocompatibility complex class i and tumour immuno-evasion: how to fool T cells and natural killer cells at one time. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 19:39-41. [PMID: 22328841 DOI: 10.3747/co.19.945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (ctls) and natural killer (nk) cells lyse tumours expressing and lacking, respectively, properly conformed class i molecules of the major histocompatibility complex [mhc-i (Figure 1)] [...]
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Affiliation(s)
- D Fruci
- IRCCS, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Oncohaematology Department, Rome, Italy
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23
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Vasireddi M, Hilliard J. Herpes B virus, macacine herpesvirus 1, breaks simplex virus tradition via major histocompatibility complex class I expression in cells from human and macaque hosts. J Virol 2012; 86:12503-11. [PMID: 22973043 PMCID: PMC3497696 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01350-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
B virus of the family Herpesviridae is endemic to rhesus macaques but results in 80% fatality in untreated humans who are zoonotically infected. Downregulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I in order to evade CD8(+) T-cell activation is characteristic of most herpesviruses. Here we examined the cell surface presence and total protein expression of MHC class I molecules in B virus-infected human foreskin fibroblast cells and macaque kidney epithelial cells in culture, which are representative of foreign and natural host initial target cells of B virus. Our results show <20% downregulation of surface MHC class I molecules in either type of host cells infected with B virus, which is statistically insignificantly different from that observed in uninfected cells. We also examined the surface expression of MHC class Ib molecules, HLA-E and HLA-G, involved in NK cell inhibition. Our results showed significant upregulation of HLA-E and HLA-G in host cells infected with B virus relative to the amounts observed in other herpesvirus-infected cells. These results suggest that B virus-infected cell surfaces maintain normal levels of MHC class Ia molecules, a finding unique among simplex viruses. This is a unique divergence in immune evasion for B virus, which, unlike human simplex viruses, does not inhibit the transport of peptides for loading onto MHC class Ia molecules because B virus ICP47 lacks a transporter-associated protein binding domain. The fact that MHC class Ib molecules were significantly upregulated has additional implications for host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mugdha Vasireddi
- Viral Immunology Center, Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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24
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Teklemariam T, Zhao L, Hantash BM. Full-length HLA-G1 and truncated HLA-G3 differentially increase HLA-E surface localization. Hum Immunol 2012; 73:898-905. [PMID: 22732094 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2012.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2012] [Revised: 05/28/2012] [Accepted: 06/13/2012] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E plays a role in immune tolerance induction and its transport to the cell surface is limited and dependent on the availability of HLA class I signal peptide. The role of HLA-G in regulating HLA-E surface localization remains controversial. The aim of our study was to clarify whether full-length and truncated HLA-G isoforms regulate HLA-E surface localization. Using a retroviral expression system and flow cytometric analysis, we found that surface HLA-E levels were significantly higher in HLA-G1 (34.1±4.4%, p<0.005) and -G3 (15.3±1.8%, p<0.04) versus empty vector (9.0±1.0%) transductants. Biotinylation and Western blot studies revealed HLA-E surface protein was increased by 4.5- and 1.3-fold in HLA-G1 and -G3 versus empty vector transductants. Although no significant differences in transcript and protein levels were detected between HLA-G1 and -G3 transductants, surface levels of HLA-G1 were 2.5-fold higher than HLA-G3 by flow cytometric analysis and Western blotting. Taken together, our data demonstrate that full-length HLA-G1 and truncated -G3 differentially increase HLA-E surface localization.
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25
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Benevolo M, Mottolese M, Tremante E, Rollo F, Diodoro MG, Ercolani C, Sperduti I, Monaco EL, Cosimelli M, Giacomini P. High expression of HLA-E in colorectal carcinoma is associated with a favorable prognosis. J Transl Med 2011; 9:184. [PMID: 22032294 PMCID: PMC3219584 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-9-184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2011] [Accepted: 10/27/2011] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-E is a non-classical class I HLA molecule that can be stabilized by ligands donated by other classical (HLA-A, -B, -C) and non-classical (HLA-G) family members. HLA-E engages a variety of immune receptors expressed by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), Natural killer (NK) cells and NK-CTLs. In view of the opposing outcomes (activation or inhibition) of the different HLA-E receptors, the preferred role (if any) of HLA-E expressed in vivo on tumor cells remains to be established. METHODS Taking advantage of MEM-E/02, a recently characterized antibody to denatured HLA-E molecules, HLA-E expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry on an archival collection (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded) of 149 colorectal primary carcinoma lesions paired with their morphologically normal mucosae. Lymphoid infiltrates were assessed for the expression of the HLA-E-specific, inhibitory, non-rearranging receptor NKG2A. RESULTS High HLA-E expression did not significantly correlate with the expression of classical HLA-B and HLA-C molecules, but it did correlate with high expression of its preferential ligand donor HLA-A. In addition, it correlated with lymphoid cell infiltrates expressing the inhibitory NKG2A receptor, and was an independent predictor of good prognosis, particularly in a subset of patients whose tumors express HLA-A levels resembling those of their paired normal counterparts (HLA-A). Thus, combination phenotypes (HLA-Elo-int/HLA-AE and HLA-Ehi/HLA-AE) of classical and non-classical class I HLA molecules mark two graded levels of good prognosis. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that HLA-E favors activating immune responses to colorectal carcinoma. They also provide evidence in humans that tumor cells entertain extensive negotiation with the immune system until a compromise between recognition and escape is reached. It is implied that this process occurs stepwise, as predicted by the widely accepted 'immunoediting' model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Benevolo
- Department of Pathology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcella Mottolese
- Department of Pathology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Tremante
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via delle Messi d'Oro 156, 00158 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Rollo
- Department of Pathology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Diodoro
- Department of Pathology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiana Ercolani
- Department of Pathology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Isabella Sperduti
- Biostatistics Unit, Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Lo Monaco
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via delle Messi d'Oro 156, 00158 Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Cosimelli
- Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizio Giacomini
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via delle Messi d'Oro 156, 00158 Rome, Italy
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Monaco EL, Tremante E, Cerboni C, Melucci E, Sibilio L, Zingoni A, Nicotra MR, Natali PG, Giacomini P. Human leukocyte antigen E contributes to protect tumor cells from lysis by natural killer cells. Neoplasia 2011; 13:822-30. [PMID: 21969815 PMCID: PMC3182274 DOI: 10.1593/neo.101684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2010] [Revised: 07/22/2011] [Accepted: 07/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The nonclassic class I human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E) molecule engages the inhibitory NKG2A receptor on several cytotoxic effectors, including natural killer (NK) cells. Its tissue distribution was claimed to be wider in normal than in neoplastic tissues, and surface HLA-E was undetectable in most tumor cell lines. Herein, these issues were reinvestigated taking advantage of HLA-E-specific antibodies, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical methods detecting intracellular and surface HLA-E regardless of conformation. Contrary to published evidence, HLA-E was detected in a few normal epithelia and in a large fraction (approximately 1/3) of solid tumors, including those derived from HLA-E-negative/low-normal counterparts. Remarkably, HLA-E was detected in 30 of 30 tumor cell lines representative of major lymphoid and nonlymphoid lineages, and in 11 of 11, it was surface-expressed, although in a conformation poorly reactive with commonly used antibodies. Coexpression of HLA-E and HLA class I ligand donors was not required for surface expression but was associated with NKG2A-mediated protection from lysis by the cytotoxic cell line NKL and polyclonal NK cells from healthy donors, as demonstrated by antibody-mediated relief of protection in 10% to 20% of the tested target-effector combinations. NKG2A-mediated protection of additional targets became evident on NK effector blocking with antibodies to activating receptors (DNAM-1, natural cytotoxicity receptors, and NKG2D). Thus, initial evidence that the long-elusive HLA-E molecule is enhanced by malignant transformation and is functional in tumor cells is presented here, although its importance and precise functional role remain to be addressed in the context of a general understanding of the NK ligand-receptor network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Lo Monaco
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regina Elena Cancer Institute CRS, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Tremante
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regina Elena Cancer Institute CRS, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Cerboni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University “La Sapienza,” Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Melucci
- Department of Pathology, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Leonardo Sibilio
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regina Elena Cancer Institute CRS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria Rita Nicotra
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regina Elena Cancer Institute CRS, Rome, Italy
| | - Pier Giorgio Natali
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Bio-Oncologia Laboratories, University “Gabriele d'Annunzio,” Chieti, Italy
| | - Patrizio Giacomini
- Laboratory of Immunology, Regina Elena Cancer Institute CRS, Rome, Italy
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Reappraisal of the relationship between the HIV-1-protective single-nucleotide polymorphism 35 kilobases upstream of the HLA-C gene and surface HLA-C expression. J Virol 2011; 85:3367-74. [PMID: 21248048 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02276-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have found an association between a single-nucleotide polymorphism 35 kb upstream of the HLA-C locus (-35 SNP), HLA-C expression, and HIV-1 set point viral loads. We show that the difference in HLA-C expression across -35 SNP genotypes can be attributed primarily to the very low expression of a single allelic product, HLA-Cw7, which is a common HLA type. We suggest that association of the -35 SNP and HIV-1 load manifests as a result of linkage disequilibrium of this polymorphism with both favorable and unfavorable HLA-C and -B alleles.
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Ravindranath MH, Pham T, El-Awar N, Kaneku H, Terasaki PI. Anti-HLA-E mAb 3D12 mimics MEM-E/02 in binding to HLA-B and HLA-C alleles: Web-tools validate the immunogenic epitopes of HLA-E recognized by the antibodies. Mol Immunol 2011; 48:423-30. [PMID: 21145594 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2010.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2010] [Revised: 07/29/2010] [Accepted: 09/17/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
HLA-E shares several peptide sequences with HLA-class Ia molecules. Therefore, anti-HLA-E antibodies that recognize the shared sequences may bind to HLA-class Ia alleles. This hypothesis was validated with a murine anti-HLA-E monoclonal antibody (mAb) MEM-E/02, which reacted with microbeads coated with several HLA-B and HLA-C antigens. In this report, the hypothesis was reexamined with another mAb 3D12, considered to be specific for HLA-E. The antibody binding is evaluated by measuring mean fluorescence index [MFI] with Luminex Multiplex Flow-Cytometric technology. The peptide-inhibition experiments are carried out with synthetic shared peptides, most prevalent to HLA-E and HLA-Ia alleles. The results showed that mAb 3D12 simulated MEM-E/02 in recognizing several HLA-B and HLA-C antigens. Both 3D12 and MEM-E/02 did not bind to HLA-A, HLA-F and HLA-G molecules. As observed with MEM-E/02, binding of 3D12 to HLA-E is inhibited by the peptides sequences (115)QFAYDGKDY(123) and (137)DTAAQI(142). Decrease in binding of mAb 3D12 to HLA class Ia, after heat treatment of antigen coated microbeads, supports the contention that the epitope may be located at the outside of the "thermodynamically stable" α-helix conformations of HLA-E. Several sequence and structure-based web-tools were employed to validate the discontinuous epitopes recognized by the mAbs. The scores obtained by these web-tools distinguished the shared peptide sequences that inhibited the mAb binding to HLA-E. Furthermore, ElliPro web tool points out that both mAbs recognize the conformational discontinuous epitopes (the shared inhibitory peptide sequences) in the secondary structure of the HLA-E molecule. The study favors the contention that the domain of the shared inhibitory peptide sequences may be the most immunogenic site of HLA-E molecule. It also postulates and clarifies that amino acid substitution on or near the binding domains may account for the lack of cross reactivity of 3D12 and MEM-E/02 with HLA-A, HLA-F and HLA-G molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mepur H Ravindranath
- Terasaki Foundation Laboratory, 11570 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064, United States.
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de Kruijf EM, Sajet A, van Nes JGH, Natanov R, Putter H, Smit VTHBM, Liefers GJ, van den Elsen PJ, van de Velde CJH, Kuppen PJK. HLA-E and HLA-G expression in classical HLA class I-negative tumors is of prognostic value for clinical outcome of early breast cancer patients. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2010; 185:7452-9. [PMID: 21057081 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1002629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Nonclassical HLAs, HLA-E and HLA-G, are known to affect clinical outcome in various tumor types. We examined the clinical impact of HLA-E and HLA-G expression in early breast cancer patients, and related the results to tumor expression of classical HLA class I. Our study population (n = 677) consisted of all early breast cancer patients primarily treated with surgery in our center between 1985 and 1995. Tissue microarray sections of arrayed tumor and normal control material were immunohistochemically stained for HLA-E and HLA-G. For evaluation of HLA-E and HLA-G and the combined variable, HLA-EG, a binary score was used. Expression of classical HLA class I molecules was determined previously. HLA-E, HLA-G, and HLA-EG on breast tumors were classified as expression in 50, 60, and 23% of patients, respectively. Remarkably, only in patients with loss of classical HLA class I tumor expression, expression of HLA-E (p = 0.027), HLA-G (p = 0.035), or HLA-EG (p = 0.001) resulted in a worse relapse-free period. An interaction was found between classical and nonclassical HLA class I expression (p = 0.002), suggestive for a biological connection. We have demonstrated that, next to expression of classical HLA class I, expression of HLA-E and HLA-G is an important factor in the prediction of outcome of breast cancer patients. These results provide further evidence that breast cancer is immunogenic, but also capable of evading tumor eradication by the host's immune system, by up- or downregulation of HLA class Ia and class Ib loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther M de Kruijf
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Inhibition of HLA-G Expression Via RNAi Abolishes Resistance of Extravillous Trophoblast Cell Line TEV-1 to NK Lysis. Placenta 2010; 31:519-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2010.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2009] [Revised: 02/15/2010] [Accepted: 03/16/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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HLA-E monoclonal antibody MEM-E/02 binds to discontinuous but shared peptide sequences on HLA B & C heavy chains not treated by acid. Mol Immunol 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2010.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Lo Monaco E, Tremante E, Cifaldi L, Fruci D, Giacomini P. HLA-E and the origin of immunogenic self HLA epitopes. Mol Immunol 2010; 47:1661-2; author reply 1163-4. [PMID: 20096934 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2009.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2009] [Accepted: 12/26/2009] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Ravindranath MH, Taniguchi M, Chen CW, Ozawa M, Kaneku H, El-Awar N, Cai J, Terasaki PI. HLA-E monoclonal antibodies recognize shared peptide sequences on classical HLA class Ia: relevance to human natural HLA antibodies. Mol Immunol 2010; 47:1121-31. [PMID: 19944464 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2009.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2009] [Revised: 10/20/2009] [Accepted: 10/25/2009] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The non-classical HLA-Ib molecule, HLA-E share several peptide sequence similarities with the heavy chains of classical HLA class Ia (-B and -C) molecules. Therefore, the antibodies to HLA-E, that recognize shared sequences, may bind to HLA-Ia alleles. This hypothesis is tested by examining the affinity of HLA-E monoclonal antibodies (HLA-E-MAbs) to HLA-Ia molecules and by inhibiting the antibody binding to both HLA-E and HLA-Ia with the shared peptide sequence(s). Single recombinant HLA molecule-coated beads are used for antibody binding. The antibody binding is evaluated by measuring mean fluorescence index [MFI] with Luminex multiplex flow-cytometric technology. The peptide-inhibition experiments are carried out with synthetic shared peptides, most prevalent to HLA-E and HLA-Ia alleles. The number of HLA-Ia alleles recognized by the HLA-E-MAbs varies with the density of the antigen (quantity of antigen-coated beads) and dilution of MAb. Binding of HLA-E-MAbs to beta2 microglobulin (beta(2)m)-free HLA-Ia antigens confirms the location of the epitopes on the heavy chain (HC) of the antigens. Strikingly, the nature of alleles of HLA-Ia recognized by different HLA-E-MAbs is identical. The binding of HLA-E-MAbs to the HLA-Ia is inhibited dosimetrically by the adjacent peptides, (115)QFAYDGKDY(123) and (137)DTAAQI(142), but not by (126)LNEDLRSWTA(135), another closer shared peptide sequence. The inhibitory peptide sequences in HLA-E are at the alpha2-helix terminal facing beta(2)m. The HLA-Ia alleles recognized by HLA-E-MAb (e.g., MEM-E/02) are similar to those recognized by the natural anti-HLA antibodies found in the sera of healthy non-alloimmunized males. This study postulates that some, if not all, of the natural HLA-Ia antibodies seen in healthy males could be anti-HLA-E antibodies cross-reacting with HLA-Ia alleles.
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Oliveira CC, van Veelen PA, Querido B, de Ru A, Sluijter M, Laban S, Drijfhout JW, van der Burg SH, Offringa R, van Hall T. The nonpolymorphic MHC Qa-1b mediates CD8+ T cell surveillance of antigen-processing defects. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 207:207-21. [PMID: 20038604 PMCID: PMC2812552 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20091429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The nonclassical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Qa-1b accommodates monomorphic leader peptides and functions as a ligand for germ line receptors CD94/NKG2, which are expressed by natural killer cells and CD8+ T cells. We here describe that the conserved peptides are replaced by a novel peptide repertoire of surprising diversity as a result of impairments in the antigen-processing pathway. This novel peptide repertoire represents immunogenic neoantigens for CD8+ T cells, as we found that these Qa-1b–restricted T cells dominantly participated in the response to tumors with processing deficiencies. A surprisingly wide spectrum of target cells, irrespective of transformation status, MHC background, or type of processing deficiency, was recognized by this T cell subset, complying with the conserved nature of Qa-1b. Target cell recognition depended on T cell receptor and Qa-1b interaction, and immunization with identified peptide epitopes demonstrated in vivo priming of CD8+ T cells. Our data reveal that Qa-1b, and most likely its human homologue human leukocyte antigen-E, is important for the defense against processing-deficient cells by displacing the monomorphic leader peptides, which relieves the inhibition through CD94/NKG2A on lymphocytes, and by presenting a novel repertoire of immunogenic peptides, which recruits a subset of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia C Oliveira
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands
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