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Verhagen J, van der Meijden ED, Lang V, Kremer AE, Völkl S, Mackensen A, Aigner M, Kremer AN. Human CD4 + T cells specific for dominant epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Nucleocapsid proteins with therapeutic potential. Clin Exp Immunol 2021; 205:363-378. [PMID: 34061349 PMCID: PMC8239517 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Since December 2019, Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly throughout the world, leading to a global effort to develop vaccines and treatments. Despite extensive progress, there remains a need for treatments to bolster the immune responses in infected immunocompromised individuals, such as cancer patients who recently underwent a haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Immunological protection against COVID-19 is mediated by both short-lived neutralizing antibodies and long-lasting virus-reactive T cells. Therefore, we propose that T cell therapy may augment efficacy of current treatments. For the greatest efficacy with minimal adverse effects, it is important that any cellular therapy is designed to be as specific and directed as possible. Here, we identify T cells from COVID-19 patients with a potentially protective response to two major antigens of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, Spike and Nucleocapsid protein. By generating clones of highly virus-reactive CD4+ T cells, we were able to confirm a set of nine immunodominant epitopes and characterize T cell responses against these. Accordingly, the sensitivity of T cell clones for their specific epitope, as well as the extent and focus of their cytokine response was examined. Moreover, using an advanced T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing approach, we determined the paired TCR-αβ sequences of clones of interest. While these data on a limited population require further expansion for universal application, the results presented here form a crucial first step towards TCR-transgenic CD4+ T cell therapy of COVID-19.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Amino Acid Sequence
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/virology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/virology
- COVID-19/immunology
- COVID-19/therapy
- COVID-19/virology
- Clone Cells/immunology
- Clone Cells/virology
- Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins/chemistry
- Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins/genetics
- Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins/immunology
- Cytokines/biosynthesis
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/chemistry
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/genetics
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Female
- Humans
- Immunization, Passive
- Immunodominant Epitopes/chemistry
- Immunodominant Epitopes/genetics
- Immunodominant Epitopes/immunology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Phosphoproteins/chemistry
- Phosphoproteins/genetics
- Phosphoproteins/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/immunology
- SARS-CoV-2/chemistry
- SARS-CoV-2/genetics
- SARS-CoV-2/immunology
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/chemistry
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/genetics
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology
- COVID-19 Serotherapy
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Verhagen
- Department of Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Edith D van der Meijden
- Department of Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Lang
- Department of Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas E Kremer
- Department of Medicine 1, Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Simon Völkl
- Department of Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Mackensen
- Department of Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Aigner
- Department of Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anita N Kremer
- Department of Medicine 5, Haematology and Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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2
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Kremer AE, Kremer AN, Willam C, Völkl S, Verhagen J, Achenbach S, van der Meijden ED, Lang V, Aigner M, Maier C, Tenbusch M, Korn K, Lutzny-Geier G, Spoerl S, Strauß R, Vetter M, Überla K, Neurath MF, Mackensen A, Schiffer M, Hackstein H. Successful treatment of COVID-19 infection with convalescent plasma in B-cell-depleted patients may promote cellular immunity. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:2478-2484. [PMID: 34350584 PMCID: PMC8420096 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202149277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Treatment with convalescent plasma has been shown to be safe in coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID‐19) infection, although efficacy reported in immunocompetent patients varies. Nevertheless, neutralizing antibodies are a key requisite in the fight against viral infections. Patients depleted of antibody‐producing B cells, such as those treated with rituximab (anti‐CD20) for hematological malignancies, lack a fundamental part of their adaptive immunity. Treatment with convalescent plasma appears to be of general benefit in this particularly vulnerable cohort. We analyzed clinical course and inflammation markers of three B‐cell‐depleted patients suffering from COVID‐19 who were treated with convalescent plasma. In addition, we measured serum antibody levels as well as peripheral blood CD38/HLA‐DR‐positive T‐cells ex vivo and CD137‐positive T‐cells after in vitro stimulation with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2)‐derived peptides in these patients. We observed that therapy with convalescent plasma was effective in all three patients and analysis of CD137‐positive T‐cells after stimulation with SARS‐CoV‐2 peptides showed an increase in peptide‐specific T‐cells after application of convalescent plasma. In conclusion, we here demonstrate efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy in three B‐cell‐depleted patients and present data that suggest that while application of convalescent plasma elevates systemic antibody levels only transiently, it may also boost specific T‐cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas E Kremer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Department of Internal Medicine 1, Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anita N Kremer
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carsten Willam
- Department of Internal Medicine 4, Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Simon Völkl
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johan Verhagen
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susanne Achenbach
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haemostaseology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Edith D van der Meijden
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Lang
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Aigner
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Clara Maier
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Tenbusch
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Korn
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gloria Lutzny-Geier
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Silvia Spoerl
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Richard Strauß
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marcel Vetter
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus F Neurath
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Mackensen
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mario Schiffer
- Department of Internal Medicine 4, Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Holger Hackstein
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haemostaseology, University Hospital Erlangen and Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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3
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Bernhardt AL, Zeun J, Marecek M, Reimann H, Kretschmann S, Bausenwein J, van der Meijden ED, Karg MM, Haug T, Meintker L, Lutzny-Geier G, Mackensen A, Kremer AN. Influence of DM-sensitivity on immunogenicity of MHC class II restricted antigens. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002401. [PMID: 34266882 PMCID: PMC8286791 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD) is a major problem in allogeneic stem cell transplantation. We previously described two types of endogenous human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-II restricted antigens depending on their behavior towards HLA-DM. While DM-resistant antigens are presented in the presence of HLA-DM, DM-sensitive antigens rely on the expression of HLA-DO-the natural inhibitor of HLA-DM. Since expression of HLA-DO is not upregulated by inflammatory cytokines, DM-sensitive antigens cannot be presented on non-hematopoietic tissues even under inflammatory conditions. Therefore, usage of CD4+ T cells directed against DM-sensitive antigens might allow induction of graft-versus-leukemia effect without GvHD. As DM-sensitivity is likely linked to low affinity peptides, it remains elusive whether DM-sensitive antigens are inferior in their immunogenicity. METHODS We created an in vivo system using a DM-sensitive and a DM-resistant variant of the same antigen. First, we generated murine cell lines overexpressing either H2-M or H2-O (murine HLA-DM and HLA-DO) to assign the two model antigens ovalbumin (OVA) and DBY to their category. Further, we introduced mutations within the two T-cell epitopes and tested the effect on DM-sensitivity or DM-resistance. Furthermore, we vaccinated C57BL/6 mice with either variant of the epitope and measured expansion and reactivity of OVA-specific and DBY-specific CD4+ T cells. RESULTS By testing T-cell recognition of OVA and DBY on a murine B-cell line overexpressing H2-M and H2-O, respectively, we showed that OVA leads to a stronger T-cell activation in the presence of H2-O demonstrating its DM-sensitivity. In contrast, the DBY epitope does not rely on H2-O for T-cell activation indicating DM-resistance. By introducing mutations within the T-cell epitopes we could generate one further DM-sensitive variant of OVA and two DM-resistant counterparts. Likewise, we designed DM-resistant and DM-sensitive variants of DBY. On vaccination of C57BL/6 mice with either epitope variant we measured comparable expansion and reactivity of OVA-specific and DBY-specific T-cells both in vivo and ex vivo. By generating T-cell lines and clones of healthy human donors we showed that DM-sensitive antigens are targeted by the natural T-cell repertoire. CONCLUSION We successfully generated DM-sensitive and DM-resistant variants for two model antigens. Thereby, we demonstrated that DM-sensitive antigens are not inferior to their DM-resistant counterpart and are therefore interesting tools for immunotherapy after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Luise Bernhardt
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 - Hematology and Internal Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Julia Zeun
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 - Hematology and Internal Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Miriam Marecek
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 - Hematology and Internal Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Hannah Reimann
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 - Hematology and Internal Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Sascha Kretschmann
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 - Hematology and Internal Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Judith Bausenwein
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 - Hematology and Internal Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Edith D van der Meijden
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 - Hematology and Internal Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Margarete M Karg
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 - Hematology and Internal Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany.,Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tabea Haug
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 - Hematology and Internal Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Lisa Meintker
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 - Hematology and Internal Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Gloria Lutzny-Geier
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 - Hematology and Internal Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Andreas Mackensen
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 - Hematology and Internal Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Anita N Kremer
- Department of Internal Medicine 5 - Hematology and Internal Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
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4
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Reimann H, Nguyen A, Sanborn JZ, Vaske CJ, Benz SC, Niazi K, Rabizadeh S, Spilman P, Mackensen A, Ruebner M, Hein A, Beckmann MW, van der Meijden ED, Bausenwein J, Kretschmann S, Griffioen M, Schlom J, Gulley JL, Lee KL, Hamilton DH, Soon-Shiong P, Fasching PA, Kremer AN. Identification and validation of expressed HLA-binding breast cancer neoepitopes for potential use in individualized cancer therapy. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 9:jitc-2021-002605. [PMID: 34172517 PMCID: PMC8237736 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Therapeutic regimens designed to augment the immunological response of a patient with breast cancer (BC) to tumor tissue are critically informed by tumor mutational burden and the antigenicity of expressed neoepitopes. Herein we describe a neoepitope and cognate neoepitope-reactive T-cell identification and validation program that supports the development of next-generation immunotherapies. Methods Using GPS Cancer, NantOmics research, and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases, we developed a novel bioinformatic-based approach which assesses mutational load, neoepitope expression, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-binding prediction, and in vitro confirmation of T-cell recognition to preferentially identify targetable neoepitopes. This program was validated by application to a BC cell line and confirmed using tumor biopsies from two patients with BC enrolled in the Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and Genomics (TILGen) study. Results The antigenicity and HLA-A2 restriction of the BC cell line predicted neoepitopes were determined by reactivity of T cells from HLA-A2-expressing healthy donors. For the TILGen subjects, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) recognized the predicted neoepitopes both as peptides and on retroviral expression in HLA-matched Epstein-Barr virus–lymphoblastoid cell line and BC cell line MCF-7 cells; PCR clonotyping revealed the presence of T cells in the periphery with T-cell receptors for the predicted neoepitopes. These high-avidity immune responses were polyclonal, mutation-specific and restricted to either HLA class I or II. Interestingly, we observed the persistence and expansion of polyclonal T-cell responses following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusions We demonstrate our neoepitope prediction program allows for the successful identification of neoepitopes targeted by TILs in patients with BC, providing a means to identify tumor-specific immunogenic targets for individualized treatment, including vaccines or adoptively transferred cellular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Reimann
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology/Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Andreas Mackensen
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology/Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Ruebner
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alexander Hein
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias W Beckmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Edith D van der Meijden
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology/Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Judith Bausenwein
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology/Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sascha Kretschmann
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology/Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marieke Griffioen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeffrey Schlom
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - James L Gulley
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Karin L Lee
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Duane H Hamilton
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Peter A Fasching
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anita N Kremer
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology/Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
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5
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Fuchs KJ, Honders MW, van der Meijden ED, Adriaans AE, van der Lee DI, Pont MJ, Monajemi R, Kielbasa SM, 't Hoen PAC, van Bergen CAM, Falkenburg JHF, Griffioen M. Optimized Whole Genome Association Scanning for Discovery of HLA Class I-Restricted Minor Histocompatibility Antigens. Front Immunol 2020; 11:659. [PMID: 32362897 PMCID: PMC7180171 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation as treatment for hematological diseases face the risk of Graft-versus-Host Disease as well as relapse. Graft-versus-Host Disease and the favorable Graft-versus-Leukemia effect are mediated by donor T cells recognizing polymorphic peptides, which are presented on the cell surface by HLA molecules and result from single nucleotide polymorphism alleles that are disparate between patient and donor. Identification of polymorphic HLA-binding peptides, designated minor histocompatibility antigens, has been a laborious procedure, and the number and scope for broad clinical use of these antigens therefore remain limited. Here, we present an optimized whole genome association approach for discovery of HLA class I minor histocompatibility antigens. T cell clones isolated from patients who responded to donor lymphocyte infusions after HLA-matched allogeneic stem cell transplantation were tested against a panel of 191 EBV-transformed B cells, which have been sequenced by the 1000 Genomes Project and selected for expression of seven common HLA class I alleles (HLA-A∗01:01, A∗02:01, A∗03:01, B∗07:02, B∗08:01, C∗07:01, and C∗07:02). By including all polymorphisms with minor allele frequencies above 0.01, we demonstrated that the new approach allows direct discovery of minor histocompatibility antigens as exemplified by seven new antigens in eight different HLA class I alleles including one antigen in HLA-A∗24:02 and HLA-A∗23:01, for which the method has not been originally designed. Our new whole genome association strategy is expected to rapidly augment the repertoire of HLA class I-restricted minor histocompatibility antigens that will become available for donor selection and clinical use to predict, follow or manipulate Graft-versus-Leukemia effect and Graft-versus-Host Disease after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyra J Fuchs
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - M Willy Honders
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Edith D van der Meijden
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Internal Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alwin E Adriaans
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Margot J Pont
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Ramin Monajemi
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Szymon M Kielbasa
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Peter A C 't Hoen
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands.,Centre for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Marieke Griffioen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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6
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Arindrarto W, Borràs DM, de Groen RAL, van den Berg RR, Locher IJ, van Diessen SAME, van der Holst R, van der Meijden ED, Honders MW, de Leeuw RH, Verlaat W, Jedema I, Kroes WGM, Knijnenburg J, van Wezel T, Vermaat JSP, Valk PJM, Janssen B, de Knijff P, van Bergen CAM, van den Akker EB, Hoen PAC', Kiełbasa SM, Laros JFJ, Griffioen M, Veelken H. Comprehensive diagnostics of acute myeloid leukemia by whole transcriptome RNA sequencing. Leukemia 2020; 35:47-61. [PMID: 32127641 PMCID: PMC7787979 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-020-0762-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is caused by genetic aberrations that also govern the prognosis of patients and guide risk-adapted and targeted therapy. Genetic aberrations in AML are structurally diverse and currently detected by different diagnostic assays. This study sought to establish whole transcriptome RNA sequencing as single, comprehensive, and flexible platform for AML diagnostics. We developed HAMLET (Human AML Expedited Transcriptomics) as bioinformatics pipeline for simultaneous detection of fusion genes, small variants, tandem duplications, and gene expression with all information assembled in an annotated, user-friendly output file. Whole transcriptome RNA sequencing was performed on 100 AML cases and HAMLET results were validated by reference assays and targeted resequencing. The data showed that HAMLET accurately detected all fusion genes and overexpression of EVI1 irrespective of 3q26 aberrations. In addition, small variants in 13 genes that are often mutated in AML were called with 99.2% sensitivity and 100% specificity, and tandem duplications in FLT3 and KMT2A were detected by a novel algorithm based on soft-clipped reads with 100% sensitivity and 97.1% specificity. In conclusion, HAMLET has the potential to provide accurate comprehensive diagnostic information relevant for AML classification, risk assessment and targeted therapy on a single technology platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wibowo Arindrarto
- Center for Computational Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel M Borràs
- GenomeScan B.V, 2333 BZ, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Chemical Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben A L de Groen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Redmar R van den Berg
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Irene J Locher
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Rosalie van der Holst
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - M Willy Honders
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Rick H de Leeuw
- Forensic Laboratory for DNA Research, Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wina Verlaat
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Inge Jedema
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wilma G M Kroes
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Knijnenburg
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tom van Wezel
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Joost S P Vermaat
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter J M Valk
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Janssen
- GenomeScan B.V, 2333 BZ, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter de Knijff
- Forensic Laboratory for DNA Research, Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Erik B van den Akker
- Center for Computational Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,The Delft Bioinformatics Lab, Delft University of Technology, 2628CD, Delft, The Netherlands.,Section of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A C 't Hoen
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,The Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Szymon M Kiełbasa
- Center for Computational Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen F J Laros
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke Griffioen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Hendrik Veelken
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
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7
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Kretschmann S, Herda S, Bruns H, Russ J, van der Meijden ED, Schlötzer-Schrehardt U, Griffioen M, Na IK, Mackensen A, Kremer AN. Chaperone protein HSC70 regulates intercellular transfer of Y chromosome antigen DBY. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:2952-2963. [PMID: 31205025 DOI: 10.1172/jci123105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that CD4+ T cells can efficiently reject MHC-II-negative tumors. This requires indirect presentation of tumor-associated antigens on surrounding antigen-presenting cells. We hypothesized that intercellular transfer of proteins is not the sole consequence of cell death-mediated protein release, but depends on heat-shock cognate protein 70 (HSC70) and its KFERQ-like binding motif on substrate proteins. Using human Y chromosome antigen DBY, we showed that mutation of one of its 2 putative binding motifs markedly diminished T cell activation after indirect presentation and reduced protein-protein interaction with HSC70. Intercellular antigen transfer was shown to be independent of cell-cell contact, but relied on engulfment within secreted microvesicles. In vivo, alterations of the homologous KFERQ-like motif in murine DBY hampered tumor rejection, T cell activation, and migration into the tumor and substantially impaired survival. Collectively, we show that intercellular antigen transfer of DBY is tightly regulated via binding to HSC70 and that this mechanism influences recognition and rejection of MHC-II-negative tumors in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sascha Kretschmann
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology/Oncology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Herda
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Heiko Bruns
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology/Oncology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Josefine Russ
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Edith D van der Meijden
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology/Oncology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Marieke Griffioen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Il-Kang Na
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin-Brandenburg Center of Regenerative Therapies, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Mackensen
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology/Oncology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anita N Kremer
- Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology/Oncology, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
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8
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Pont MJ, Oostvogels R, van Bergen CA, van der Meijden ED, Honders MW, Bliss S, Jongsma ML, Lokhorst HM, Falkenburg JF, Mutis T, Griffioen M, Spaapen RM. T Cells Specific for an Unconventional Natural Antigen Fail to Recognize Leukemic Cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2019; 7:797-804. [DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-18-0137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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9
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Kremer AN, Zonneveld MI, Kremer AE, van der Meijden ED, Falkenburg JHF, Wauben MHM, Nolte-'t Hoen ENM, Griffioen M. Natural T-cell ligands that are created by genetic variants can be transferred between cells by extracellular vesicles. Eur J Immunol 2018; 48:1621-1631. [PMID: 30011060 PMCID: PMC6220790 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201747152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Revised: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
CD4 T cells play a central role as helper cells in adaptive immunity. Presentation of exogenous antigens in MHC class II by professional antigen-presenting cells is a crucial step in induction of specific CD4 T cells in adaptive immune responses. For efficient induction of immunity against intracellular threats such as viruses or malignant transformations, antigens from HLA class II-negative infected or transformed cells need to be transferred to surrounding antigen-presenting cells to allow efficient priming of naive CD4 T cells. Here we show indirect antigen presentation for a subset of natural HLA class II ligands that are created by genetic variants and demonstrated that (neo)antigens can be transferred between cells by extracellular vesicles. Intercellular transfer by extracellular vesicles was not dependent on the T-cell epitope, but rather on characteristics of the full-length protein. This mechanism of (neo)antigen transfer from HLA class II-negative cells to surrounding antigen-presenting cells may play a crucial role in induction of anti-tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita N Kremer
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Internal Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marijke I Zonneveld
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andreas E Kremer
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine 1, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Edith D van der Meijden
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Internal Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Marca H M Wauben
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Esther N M Nolte-'t Hoen
- Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke Griffioen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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10
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Pont MJ, van der Lee DI, van der Meijden ED, van Bergen CAM, Kester MGD, Honders MW, Vermaat M, Eefting M, Marijt EWA, Kielbasa SM, Hoen PAC', Falkenburg JHF, Griffioen M. Integrated Whole Genome and Transcriptome Analysis Identified a Therapeutic Minor Histocompatibility Antigen in a Splice Variant of ITGB2. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 22:4185-96. [PMID: 26964570 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-2307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In HLA-matched allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT), donor T cells recognizing minor histocompatibility antigens (MiHAs) can mediate desired antitumor immunity as well as undesired side effects. MiHAs with hematopoiesis-restricted expression are relevant targets to augment antitumor immunity after alloSCT without side effects. To identify therapeutic MiHAs, we analyzed the in vivo immune response in a patient with strong antitumor immunity after alloSCT. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN T-cell clones recognizing patient, but not donor, hematopoietic cells were selected for MiHA discovery by whole genome association scanning. RNA-sequence data from the GEUVADIS project were analyzed to investigate alternative transcripts, and expression patterns were determined by microarray analysis and qPCR. T-cell reactivity was measured by cytokine release and cytotoxicity. RESULTS T-cell clones were isolated for two HLA-B*15:01-restricted MiHA. LB-GLE1-1V is encoded by a nonsynonymous SNP in exon 6 of GLE1 For the other MiHAs, an associating SNP in intron 3 of ITGB2 was found, but no SNP disparity was present in the normal gene transcript between patient and donor. RNA-sequence analysis identified an alternative ITGB2 transcript containing part of intron 3. qPCR demonstrated that this transcript is restricted to hematopoietic cells and SNP-positive individuals. In silico translation revealed LB-ITGB2-1 as HLA-B*15:01-binding peptide, which was validated as hematopoietic MiHA by T-cell experiments. CONCLUSIONS Whole genome and transcriptome analysis identified LB-ITGB2-1 as MiHAs encoded by an alternative transcript. Our data support the therapeutic relevance of LB-ITGB2-1 and illustrate the value of RNA-sequence analysis for discovery of immune targets encoded by alternative transcripts. Clin Cancer Res; 22(16); 4185-96. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margot J Pont
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Michel G D Kester
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Maria W Honders
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Martijn Vermaat
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Matthias Eefting
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Erik W A Marijt
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Szymon M Kielbasa
- Department of Medical Statistics and Bioinformatics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Peter A C 't Hoen
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Marieke Griffioen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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11
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Kremer AN, van der Meijden ED, Honders MW, Pont MJ, Goeman JJ, Falkenburg JHF, Griffioen M. Human leukocyte antigen-DO regulates surface presentation of human leukocyte antigen class II-restricted antigens on B cell malignancies. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2014; 20:742-7. [PMID: 24530695 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2014.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Accepted: 02/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Hematological malignancies often express surface HLA class II, making them attractive targets for CD4+ T cell therapy. We previously demonstrated that HLA class II ligands can be divided into DM-resistant and DM-sensitive antigens. In contrast to presentation of DM-resistant antigens, presentation of DM-sensitive antigens is suppressed by HLA-DM but can be rescued by HLA-DO. We also showed that HLA-DO expression remains low in nonhematopoietic cells under inflammatory conditions, suggesting that DM-sensitive antigens may be ideal T cell targets with a low risk for graft-versus-host disease. Here, we demonstrated that B cell malignancies often express HLA-DO and that levels are in particular high in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Moreover, we showed that surface presentation of DM-sensitive antigens is regulated by HLA-DO, and that DM-sensitive antigens are relevant T cell targets for B cell malignancies and, especially, chronic lymphocytic leukemia. These data open the perspective to target HLA class II ligands with specific processing and presentation behavior for CD4+ T cell therapy of hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita N Kremer
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, RC Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Internal Medicine 5, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - M Willy Honders
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Margot J Pont
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jelle J Goeman
- Department of Medical Statistics, Leiden University Medical Center, RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Marieke Griffioen
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
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12
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Kremer AN, van der Griendt JC, van der Meijden ED, Honders MW, Ayoglu B, Schwenk JM, Nilsson P, Falkenburg JHF, Griffioen M. Development of a coordinated allo T cell and auto B cell response against autosomal PTK2B after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Haematologica 2013; 99:365-9. [PMID: 24097630 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2013.086652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well known that allo-reactive T cells play a crucial role in graft-versus-leukemia and graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). Allo-reactive CD4(+) T cells can mediate direct cytolysis, but may also stimulate production of IgG antibodies as helper cells. Immune complexes may subsequently be processed and presented by professional antigen presenting cells and stimulate induction of specific CD8(+) T cells. As such, proteins targeted in coordinated T- and B-cell responses may represent a class of immunodominant antigens in clinical responses after alloSCT. We previously identified LB-PTK2B-1T as HLA class II restricted polymorphic antigen in a patient treated with donor lymphocyte infusion for relapsed chronic myeloid leukemia after HLA-matched alloSCT. Since PTK2B has also been described as antibody target, we here investigated whether a coordinated T- and B-cell response against PTK2B was induced. Patient serum before and after alloSCT and donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) was screened for antibodies, and we indeed observed development of a humoral immune response against PTK2B. Antibodies against PTK2B were only found after DLI and, in contrast to the CD4(+) T cells, recognized a monomorphic region of the protein. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a coordinated allo-reactive CD4(+) T-cell and auto-reactive antibody response against an autosomal antigen.
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13
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Griffioen M, Honders MW, van der Meijden ED, van Luxemburg-Heijs SAP, Lurvink EGA, Kester MGD, van Bergen CAM, Falkenburg JHF. Identification of 4 novel HLA-B*40:01 restricted minor histocompatibility antigens and their potential as targets for graft-versus-leukemia reactivity. Haematologica 2012; 97:1196-204. [PMID: 22419570 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2011.049478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with hematologic malignancies can be successfully treated with donor lymphocyte infusion after HLA-matched allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The effect of donor lymphocyte infusion is mediated by donor T cells recognizing minor histocompatibility antigens. T cells recognizing hematopoietic restricted minor histocompatibility antigens may induce selective graft-versus-leukemia reactivity, whereas broadly-expressed antigens may be targeted in graft-versus-host disease. DESIGN AND METHODS We analyzed in detail CD8(+) T-cell immunity in a patient with relapsed chronic myelogenous leukemia who responded to donor lymphocyte infusion with minimal graft-versus-host disease of the skin. CD8(+) T-cell clones specific for 4 HLA-B*40:01 restricted minor histocompatibility antigens were isolated which were identified by screening a plasmid cDNA library and whole genome association scanning. Detailed T-cell reactivity and monitoring experiments were performed to estimate the clinical and therapeutic relevance of the novel antigens. RESULTS Three antigens were demonstrated to be expressed on primary leukemic cells of various origins as well as subtypes of non-malignant hematopoietic cells, whereas one antigen was selectively recognized on malignant hematopoietic cells with antigen presenting cell phenotype. Skin derived fibroblasts were only recognized after pre-treatment with IFN-γ by two T-cell clones. CONCLUSIONS Our data show evidence for different roles of the HLA-B*40:01 restricted minor histocompatibility antigens in the onset and execution of the anti-tumor response. All antigens may have contributed to a graft-versus-leukemia effect, and one minor histocompatibility antigen (LB-SWAP70-1Q) has specific therapeutic value based on its in vivo immunodominance and strong presentation on leukemic cells of various origins, but absence of expression on cytokine-treated fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke Griffioen
- Department of Hematology, C2-R, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
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14
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Rutten CE, van Luxemburg-Heijs SAP, van der Meijden ED, Griffioen M, Oudshoorn M, Willemze R, Falkenburg JHF. HLA-DPB1 mismatching results in the generation of a full repertoire of HLA-DPB1-specific CD4+ T cell responses showing immunogenicity of all HLA-DPB1 alleles. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2010; 16:1282-92. [PMID: 20350610 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2010.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2010] [Accepted: 03/19/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Clinical studies have indicated that HLA-DPB1 functions as a classical transplantation antigen in allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Mismatching for HLA-DPB1 was associated with an increased risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), but also a decreased risk of disease relapse. However, specific HLA-DPB1 mismatches were associated with poor clinical outcome. It was suggested that this unfavorable effect was caused by a difference in immunogenicity between HLA-DPB1 alleles. To analyze whether immunogenicity of HLA-DPB1 mismatches could be predicted based on the presence or absence of specific amino acid sequences we developed a model to generate allo-HLA-DPB1 responses in vitro. We tested in total 48 different stimulator/responder combinations by stimulating CD4(+) T cells from 5 HLA-DPB1 homozygous individuals with the same antigen-presenting cells transduced with different allo-HLA-DPB1 molecules. HLA-DPB1 molecules used for stimulation comprised 76% to 99% of HLA-DPB1 molecules present in different ethnic populations. We show that all HLA-DPB1 mismatches as defined by allele typing resulted in high-frequency immune responses. Furthermore, we show that crossrecognition of different HLA-DPB1 molecules is a broadly observed phenomenon. We confirm previously described patterns in crossrecognition, and demonstrate that a high degree in similarity between HLA-DPB1 molecules is predictive for crossrecognition, but not for immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline E Rutten
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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15
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Slager EH, Honders MW, van der Meijden ED, van Luxemburg-Heijs SAP, Kloosterboer FM, Kester MGD, Jedema I, Marijt WAE, Schaafsma MR, Willemze R, Falkenburg JHF. Identification of the angiogenic endothelial-cell growth factor-1/thymidine phosphorylase as a potential target for immunotherapy of cancer. Blood 2006; 107:4954-60. [PMID: 16497972 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2005-09-3883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterization of the antigens recognized by tumor-reactive T cells isolated from patients successfully treated with allogeneic HLA-matched hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) can lead to the identification of clinically relevant target molecules. We isolated tumor-reactive cytotoxic CD8(+) T-cell (CTL) clones from a patient successfully treated with donor lymphocyte infusion for relapsed multiple myeloma after allogeneic HLA-matched SCT. Using cDNA expression cloning, the target molecule of an HLA-B7-restricted CTL clone was identified. The CTL clone recognized a minor histocompatibility antigen produced by a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the angiogenic endothelial-cell growth factor-1 (ECGF1) gene also known as thymidine phosphorylase. The SNP leads to an Arg-to-His substitution in an alternatively translated peptide that is recognized by the CTL. The ECGF1 gene is predominantly expressed in hematopoietic cells, although low expression can also be detected in other tissues. The patient from whom this CTL clone was isolated had mild graft-versus-host disease despite high numbers of circulating ECGF-1-specific T cells as detected by tetramer staining. Because solid tumors expressing ECGF-1 could also be lysed by the CTL, ECGF-1 is an interesting target for immunotherapy of both hematologic and solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth H Slager
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
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