A recombinant, soluble, single-chain class I major histocompatibility complex molecule with biological activity.

Heterodimeric class I major histocompatibility complex molecules, which consist of a 45-kDa heavy-chain and a 12-kDa beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m) light chain, bind endogenously synthesized peptides for presentation to antigen-specific T cells. We have synthesized a gene encoding a single-chain, soluble class I molecule derived from mouse H-2Dd, in which the carboxyl terminus of beta 2m is linked via a peptide spacer to the amino terminus of the heavy chain. The chimeric protein is secreted efficiently from transfected L cells, is thermostable, and when loaded with an appropriate antigenic peptide, stimulates an H-2Dd-restricted antigen-specific T-cell hybridoma. Thus, functional binding of peptide does not require the complete dissociation of beta 2m, implying that a heavy chain/peptide complex is not an obligate intermediate in the assembly of the heavy-chain/beta 2m/peptide heterotrimer. Single-chain major histocompatibility complex molecules uniformly loaded with peptide have potential uses for structural studies, toxin or fluor conjugates, and vaccines.     

Alloreactive T cells discriminate among a diverse set of endogenous peptides.

Previous studies have demonstrated that class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules are occupied by peptides of endogenously synthesized self proteins. Since graft rejection appears to be mediated by the normal occurrence of high frequencies of cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTLs) specific for allogeneic MHC molecules, it is important to know if such CTLs recognize specific MHC-peptide complexes (as opposed to the MHC molecule per se) and, if so, whether allorecognition is the result of the recognition of a limited spectrum of antigenic determinants or, alternatively, the recognition of a diverse array of MHC-self peptide complexes. This issue has been examined using a mutant cell line, T2Kb, that expresses class I molecules devoid of endogenously derived peptides. This cell line was not recognized by Kb-specific alloreactive CTLs. However, upon exposure to peptides derived by cyanogen bromide cleavage of cytoplasmic proteins these cells became sensitized for recognition and lysis by a majority of the CTL clones examined. Reverse-phase HPLC fractionation of the heterogeneous cell-derived peptides revealed that individual CTL clones were specific for different peptide antigen(s). Thus, the high frequency of alloreactive T cells that is responsible for graft rejection appears to represent the sum of numerous T-cell clones specific for a diverse array of endogenous peptide antigens presented in the context of allogeneic class I molecules.     

HLA-B37 and HLA-A2.1 molecules bind largely nonoverlapping sets of peptides.

T-cell recognition of peptides that are bound and presented by class I major histocompatibility complex molecules is highly specific. At present it is unclear what role class I peptide binding plays relative to T-cell receptor specificity in determination of immune recognition. A previous study from our group demonstrated that the HLA-A2.1 molecule could bind to 25% of the members of a panel of unrelated synthetic peptides as assessed by a functional peptide competition assay. To determine the peptide-binding specificity of another HLA class I molecule, we have examined the capacity of this panel of peptides to compete for the presentation of influenza virus nucleoprotein peptide NP-(335-350) by HLA-B37 to NP-peptide-specific HLA-B37-restricted cytotoxic T-lymphocyte lines. Forty-two percent of peptides tested were capable of inhibiting NP-(335-350) presentation by HLA-B37. Remarkably, none of these HLA-B37-binding peptides belong to the subset that was previously shown to bind to the HLA-A2.1 molecule. Only the NP-(335-350) peptide was capable of binding to both HLA-A2.1 and HLA-B37. These findings demonstrate that the peptide-binding specificities of HLA-B37 and HLA-A2.1 are largely nonoverlapping and suggest that, from the universe of peptides, individual HLA class I molecules can bind to clearly distinct subsets of these peptides.     

Characterization of an incompletely assembled major histocompatibility class I molecule (H-2Kb) associated with unusually long peptides: implications for antigen processing and presentation.

We have identified two forms of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule, H-2Kb, distinguishable by specific antibodies through a study of a genetically engineered mouse cell line that overexpresses these molecules. One form, a complex associated with beta 2-microglobulin (native, beta 2m+ class I), is detectable by conformation-dependent antibodies. The other form, which remains after preclearing cell lysates of native class I, is only poorly, if at all, associated with beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m- class I) and is detectable by an antiserum against the cytoplasmic tail region of H-2K molecules. Both forms are also present in normal cell lines. The affinity-purified native class I molecules bind short peptides (8 or 9 residues) and assemble tightly with beta 2-microglobulin. In striking contrast, the beta 2m- class I molecules bind peptides that are longer (> 15 residues) than those bound to native class I molecules. This finding is consistent with the recent evidence that peptides longer than 8-10 amino acid residues are transported into the endoplasmic reticulum and suggests the possibility of a control step for peptide presentation by MHC in which the incompletely processed peptides bind to the heavy chain and a selected fraction undergoes final processing and presentation on the cell surface.     

Beta 2-microglobulin is not required for cell surface expression of the murine class I histocompatibility antigen H-2Db or of a truncated H-2Db.

beta 2-Microglobulin (beta 2m) has been thought essential for transport of all major histocompatibility complex class I antigens to the cell surface. Here, we show that the mouse class I antigen H-2Db is expressed at the cell surface even when there is no beta 2m present within the cell. This was established by transfecting the H-2Db gene into the R1E cell line, which lacks beta 2m. The conformation of the Db antigen expressed by the R1E transfectant is very different from that of the native molecule. This Db antigen is not recognized by Db-allospecific and Db-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes or by most monoclonal antibodies to the native Db. We show further that a deletion construct of the Db gene, which consists of exon 1 linked to exons 4-8, expresses a truncated Db antigen lacking domains 1 and 2 [Db-(1 + 2)] at the cell surface after transfection into the R1E line. Previous biochemical and crystallographic data have indicated that domain 3 is associated with beta 2m; unexpectedly, Db-(1 + 2) does not associate with beta 2m when the mouse beta 2mb gene is transfected into the R1E transfectant expressing the truncated Db. This suggests that interactions with domains 1 and 2 are important for the paired association of domain 3 and beta 2m in the native Db antigen.     

TAP-independent human histocompatibility complex-Cw1 antigen processing of an HIV envelope protein conserved peptide

Individuals with nonfunctional transporters associated with antigen processing (TAP) complexes are not particularly susceptible to viral infections or neoplasms. Therefore, their immune system must be reasonably efficient, and the present, though reduced, cytolytic CD8 αβ T subpopulation specific for TAP-independent antigens may be sufficient to establish an immune defense protecting against viral infections in these individuals. The objective of the present study was to identify TAP-independent ligands from HIV gp160 protein. An analysis and comparison of complex human histocompatibility complex (HLA)-bound peptide pools isolated from large quantities of healthy or HIV gp160-expressing human cells was performed using mass spectrometry and bioinformatics tools. A conserved TAP-independent HLA peptide ligand endogenously processed and presented in infected human cells was identified. This ligand originates from the envelope protein bound to the HLA-Cw1 class I molecule with high affinity. It was concluded that HLA class I peptides derived from a large fraction of the N-terminal HIV envelope protein could be presented even in the absence of the TAP complex.     

HLA antigen structural gene mutants selected with an allospecific monoclonal antibody.

The HLA-A2 antigen-specific monoclonal antibody BB7.2 and complement were used to immunoselect mutants from an ethyl methanesulfonate-mutagenized human B lymphoid cell line, T5-1. Surviving colonies were screened by radioimmune binding with BB7.2 and with a monospecific HLA-A2 alloantiserum, Stewart, and HLA antigens of selected clones were immunoprecipitated and studied by isoelectric focusing. Several classes of mutants could be distinguished: mutants that expressed no HLA-A2 heavy chain; mutants that expressed an HLA-A2 heavy chain that was unable to associate with beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m) and was not expressed at the cell surface; mutants with reduced HLA-A2 heavy chain-beta 2m association and cell surface expression of HLA-A2 dimer with or without heavy chain charge alterations; mutants with normal HLA-A2 heavy chain-beta 2m association and normal quantitative cell surface HLA-A2 expression but with HLA-A2 heavy chain charge alterations; and mutants with as yet incompletely defined lesions. Mutants with altered cell surface HLA antigens were not found in previous selections with alloantisera and should be useful for epitope mapping and structure-function studies of HLA molecules.     

Thrombocyte HLA molecules retain nonrenewable endogenous peptides of megakaryocyte lineage and do not stimulate direct allocytotoxicity in vitro

The origin and the function of HLA class I molecules present on the surface of human platelets are still unclear. In particular, it is controversial which fraction of these class I molecules represents integral membrane components derived from the megakaryocyte-platelet lineage versus soluble plasma HLA molecules acquired by adsorption. Results of the present study show that HLA-A2 ligands isolated from platelets possess the same peptide motif as described for HLA-A2-associated peptides obtained from nucleated cells. Sequencing of these platelet-derived peptides reveals that they originate mainly from ubiquitously expressed proteins also present in the megakaryocyte-platelet lineage. Moreover, one of these peptides derives from the GPIX protein, which is specifically expressed by platelets and their precursors. Platelet HLA molecules are unstable in vitro at 37 degrees C, but can be partially stabilized by addition of exogenous beta(2)-microglobulin and HLA class I binding peptide, suggesting that platelets cannot load HLA molecules with endogenous peptides. In in vitro experiments platelets were used to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells. No allospecific cytotoxicity was observed after primary stimulation, or secondary restimulation, with allogenic resting or activated platelets, even in the presence of additional third-party helper activity. These data indicate that HLA class I molecules from platelets cannot directly induce allogenic CD8(+) cytotoxic T-cell response in vitro.     

Isolation of a human major histocompatibility complex class I gene encoding a nonubiquitous molecule expressed on activated lymphocytes

The human major histocompatibility complex is a multigene family containing at least 20 class I genes. Included within this family are the loci encoding the highly polymorphic HLA-A, -B, and -C antigens present at the surface of most nucleated cells. The large number of genes detected with class I probes by Southern blot analysis and the existence of serological reagents defining nonubiquitous, non-HLA-A,B,C class I antigens suggest that products other than HLA-A,B,C antigens are encoded within the class I gene family. These products might be the human counterparts of the murine Qa and TL antigens. In order to identify non-HLA-A,B,C genes, we have developed a probe, JF11, located in noncoding regions flanking the HLA-A locus. This probe detects only a limited number of class I genes and does not detect HLA-A,B,C-associated restriction fragments on Southern blots. This probe was used to screen a human cosmid library. Some of the cosmids isolated with this probe were then transferred into mouse fibroblasts expressing human beta 2-microglobulin. One of the transfectants specifically reacts with one alloantiserum (HA2) that detects HLA class I molecules specific to HLA-A2-positive, phytohemagglutinin-activated T cells and not found on resting T or B cells. Data presented in this paper provide evidence for the isolation and expression of a class I gene encoding a nonubiquitous class I antigen that could be a human analogue of the murine Qa antigens.     

Binding of human thyrotropin receptor peptides to a Graves' disease-predisposing human leukocyte antigen class II molecule

There are many reports that Graves' disease (GD) is associated with certain human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules, in particular DR3. Here we examined the characteristics of binding of human TSH receptor (TSHR) peptides to this disease-associated HLA class II molecule. DR3 molecules bind TSHR immunodominant peptide epitopes with intermediate affinity. On the contrary, DR3 binds nonimmunogenic peptides either with poor affinity or not at all, with one exceptional peptide that has extremely high affinity. These results suggest that susceptibility to GD associated with inheritance of a specific HLA class II gene is due to the influence of the HLA molecule-TSHR peptide complex on the T cell repertoire.     

Direct selection of a human antibody fragment directed against the tumor T-cell epitope HLA-A1-MAGE-A1 from a nonimmunized phage-Fab library

Antitumor antibodies with the same specificity as cytotoxic T lymphocytes that recognize antigenic peptides encoded by tumor-associated genes and presented by MHC class I molecules would be valuable tools to analyze the antigenicity or target tumor cells in vivo. To obtain a human antibody directed against a peptide encoded by gene melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE)-A1 and presented by HLA-A1 molecules, we selected a large phage Fab antibody repertoire on a recombinant version of the complex HLA-A1-MAGE-A1 produced by in vitro refolding. One of the selected phage antibodies shows binding to HLA-A1 complexed with the MAGE-A1 peptide, but does not show binding to HLA-A1 complexed with a peptide encoded by gene MAGE-A3 and differing from the MAGE-A1 peptide by only three residues. Phages carrying this recombinant antibody bind to HLA-A1(+) cells only after in vitro loading with MAGE-A1 peptide. These results indicate that nonimmunized phage Fab libraries are a source of antibodies with a T cell antigen receptor-like specificity. The human anti-HLA-A1-MAGE-A1 antibody described here may prove very useful for monitoring the cell surface expression of these complexes, and eventually, as a targeting reagent for the specific immunotherapy of HLA-A1 patients bearing a MAGE-A1-positive tumor.     

Epitope discovery in West Nile virus infection: Identification and immune recognition of viral epitopes

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) play an important role in the control and elimination of infection by West Nile virus (WNV), yet the class I human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-presented peptide epitopes that enable CTL recognition of WNV-infected cells remain uncharacterized. The goals of this work were first to discover the peptide epitopes that distinguish the class I HLA of WNV-infected cells and then to test the T cell reactivity of newly discovered WNV epitopes. To discover WNV-immune epitopes, class I HLA was harvested from WNV (NY99 strain)-infected and uninfected HeLa cells. Then peptide epitopes were eluted from affinity-purified HLA, and peptide epitopes from infected and uninfected cells were comparatively mapped by mass spectroscopy. Six virus-derived peptides from five different viral proteins (E, NS2b, NS3, NS4b, and NS5) were discovered as unique to HLA-A*0201 of infected cells, demonstrating that the peptides sampled by class I HLA are distributed widely throughout the WNV proteome. When tested with CTL from infected individuals, one dominant WNV target was apparent, two epitopes were subdominant, and three demonstrated little CTL reactivity. Finally, a sequence comparison of these epitopes with the hundreds of viral isolates shows that HLA-A*0201 presents epitopes derived from conserved regions of the virus. Detection and recovery from WNV infection are therefore functions of the ability of class I HLA molecules to reveal conserved WNV epitopes to an intact cellular immune system that subsequently recognizes infected cells.     

Identification of a new HLA-A2-restricted T-cell epitope within HM1.24 as immunotherapy target for multiple myeloma

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was identification of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2-restricted T-cell epitopes within the HM1.24 antigen as target for multiple myeloma (MM)-directed specific peptide-based immunotherapy. METHODS: The HM1.24 sequence was scanned for immunogenic peptides using the HLA-binding prediction software SYFPEITHI and BIMAS. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HLA-A2(+) healthy volunteers/blood donors (ND) were stimulated with autologous HM1.24-peptide-loaded dendritic cells, and expanded in vitro. Activation of T cells was assessed by ELISpot and cytotoxicity by (51)Chromium ((51)Cr)-release assays. T2-cells pulsed with irrelevant peptide, the HM1.24(-)/HLA-A2(+) breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 and the HM1.24(+)/HLA-A2(-) myeloma cell line RPMI-8226 were used as controls. Expression of the HM1.24 gene (BST2) was assessed using purified plasma cells and Affymetrix-U133A+B microarrays. Frequency of peptide-specific CD8(+) T cells was detected using the flow-cytometric tetramer technique. RESULTS: Of eight nona-peptides with the highest probability of binding to HLA-A2, the HM1.24 aa22-30 peptide (LLLGIGILV) showed the most frequent activation of CD8(+) T cells in healthy volunteers (specific activation in 8 of 11 [73%] ND; compared with 5-19% for the 7 other HM1.24 peptides). Antigen recognition by the HM1.24 aa22-30-specific CD8(+) T cells was HLA-A2-restricted (ELISpot with HLA-A2-blocking antibodies: median, 15; range, 14-18 spots/well; isotype-control antibodies: median, 47; range, 44-48). HM1.24-aa22-30-specific CD8(+) T cells lysed HLA-A2(+) myeloma-derived cell lines ((51)Cr-release assay: XG-1 vs MCF-7, 91% vs 0%; U266 vs MCF-7, 38% vs 4.2%; IM-9 vs RPMI-8226, 22% vs 0%). Using the cross-reactive Neisseria meningitidis peptide LLSLGIGILV-specific CD8(+) T cells recognizing target cells loaded with the HM1.24 aa22-30 peptide (LLLGIGILV) as well as the myeloma-derived cell line U266 could be expanded from MM patients. The HM1.24 gene was expressed at comparable levels by plasma cells from 65 MM patients, 7 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, and 7 ND. CONCLUSIONS: HM1.24 aa22-30 is a newly identified HLA-A2-restricted T-cell epitope that is processed and presented by major histocompatibility complex class I. Specifically activated CD8(+) T cells are able to lyse MM cell lines. We conclude that HM1.24 aa22-30 represents a suitable candidate target for a specific peptide-based immunotherapy of MM.     

A T-cell receptor associated with naturally occurring human tumor immunity

The onconeural antigens appear to serve as tumor rejection antigens in the paraneoplastic neurologic disorders. Here, we used an unbiased peptide binding screen, followed by studies in HLA-A2.1 transgenic mice to identify naturally processed HLA-A2.1 restricted epitopes of the paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration breast/ovarian cancer antigen cdr2. These mice were used to clone high-avidity cdr2-specific CD8(+) T cells that recognize human tumor cells presenting endogenously loaded MHC class I-cdr2 peptide. T cells with this specificity were detected in the peripheral blood of two HLA-A2.1(+) paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration patients. We cloned T cell receptor (TCR) alpha and beta genes from cdr2-specific T cells; electroporation of RNA encoding this TCR turned nonreactive donor T cells into efficient killers of human cdr2-expressing tumor cells. Cloned cdr2-specific TCR genes provide a clinically relevant means for immunologic targeting of human gynecologic cancers.     

Influence of dominant HIV-1 epitopes on HLA-A3/peptide complex formation

The binding of peptides to MHC class I molecules induces MHC/peptide complexes that have specific conformational features. Little is known about the molecular and structural bases required for an optimal MHC/peptide association able to induce a dominant T cell response. We sought to characterize the interaction between purified HLA-A3 molecules and four well known CD8 epitopes from HIV-1 proteins. To define the characteristics of HLA-peptide complex formation and to identify potential structural changes, we used biochemical assays that detect well formed complexes. We tested the amplitude, stability, and kinetic parameters of the interaction between HLA-A3, peptides, and anti-HLA mAbs. Our results show that the four epitopes Nef73-82, Pol325-333, Env37-46, and Gag20-28 bind strongly to HLA-A3 molecules and form very stable complexes that are detected with differential patterns of mAb reactivity. The most striking result is the nonrecognition of the HLA-A3/Gag20-28 complex by the A11.1M mAb specific to HLA-A3/-A11 alleles. To explain this observation, from the data published on HLA-A11 crystallographic structure, we propose molecular models of the HLA-A3 molecule complexed with Nef73-82, Pol325-333, and Gag20-28 epitopes. In the HLA-A3/Gag20-28 complex, we suggest that Arg at position P1 of the peptide may push the alpha2 helix residue Trp-167 of HLA-A3 and affect mAb recognition. Such observations may have great implications for T cell antigen receptor recognition and the immunogenicity of HLA/peptide complexes.     

Weak HLA and beta 2-microglobulin expression of neuronal cell lines can be modulated by interferon.

Previous work showed that each of four human neuronal cell lines expresses less than or equal to 0.5% of the HLA-A,B,C and beta 2-microglobulin seen in glial, lymphoid, and other cell types, and there is a corresponding weak expression in neuroblastoma tumor and adult brain. Here, we probe the genetic basis of this weak expression. For each of three neuroblastoma cell lines, we show that HLA-A,B,C and beta 2-microglobulin can be induced by interferon and that the induction occurs within every cell of the population. Class II (Ia) molecules are not detected. Microscopic assay and radioimmunoassay of intact cells suggest that the induced antigen appears at the cell surface as well as within each cell. Immunoblot analysis confirms that the induced proteins have the structure of class I molecules. Thus, the normal weak HLA and beta 2-microglobulin expression of these cell lines appears to reflect a regulatory control rather than a primary genetic lesion. According to current theory, lack of HLA-A,B,C should protect transformed, infected, or damaged neurons--but also neurons in neural transplants--from T-cell-mediated immunosurveillance. The possibility that neuronal HLA-A,B,C expression may be under regulatory control is of importance in this context.     

胰岛人类白细胞抗原-A2限制性T淋巴细胞表位体外筛选方法的建立

目的 应用表位多肽与人类白细胞抗原(HLA)Ⅰ类分子结合力和解离率分析建立新型T淋巴细胞表位体外筛选方法.方法 采用基于矩阵算法的SYFPEITHI和BIMAS数据库预测6种胰岛细胞自身抗原[包括谷氨酸脱羧酶65(GAD65)、胰岛素瘤相关抗原2(IA-2)、前胰岛素原(PPI)、胰岛特异性葡萄糖6-磷酸酶催化亚基相关蛋白(IGRP)、胰岛淀粉样多肽(IAPP)、神经胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)]的表位序列,根据预测的结合力指数和已有数据分析筛选并合成15个HLA-A2限制性候选表位多肽.采用HLA-A2转基因的T2细胞检测候选肽与HLA-A2的分子结合力,通过多肽/HLA复合物解离率实验分析复合物的稳定性.采用单因素方差分析进行数据统计.结果 T2细胞肽结合力分析显示,15个候选表位多肽中,IGRP152～160、IGRP215～223、IGRP228-236、PPI2～10、胰岛素B10～18、IA-2172～180、GFAP143～151与HLA-A2的分子结合力＞80%.肽/HLA复合物解离率分析显示,上述结合力较强的7个表位多肽中,胰岛素B10-18、IGRP228～236、GFAP143～151、IA-2 172～180 4 h解离率低于20%.结论 本实验建立的候选多肽结合力与解离率相结合的T淋巴细胞表位体外筛选方法有助于减少研究中目标肽数量,推进1型糖尿病T淋巴细胞诊断方法的研究.