Immunoglobulin framework-derived peptides function as cytotoxic T-cell epitopes commonly expressed in B-cell malignancies

A Trojan, JL Schultze, M Witzens, RH Vonderheide… - Nature medicine, 2000 - nature.com
A Trojan, JL Schultze, M Witzens, RH Vonderheide, M Ladetto, JW Donovan, JG Gribben
Nature medicine, 2000nature.com
Although the idiotypic structures of immunoglobulin from malignant B cells were the first
tumor-specific determinants recognized, and clinical vaccination trials have demonstrated
induction of tumor-specific immunity, the function of immunoglobulin-specific CD8+ cytotoxic
T lymphocytes in tumor rejection remains elusive. Here, we combined bioinformatics and a T
cell-expansion system to identify human immunoglobulin-derived peptides capable of
inducing cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses. Immunogenic peptides were derived from …
Abstract
Although the idiotypic structures of immunoglobulin from malignant B cells were the first tumor-specific determinants recognized, and clinical vaccination trials have demonstrated induction of tumor-specific immunity, the function of immunoglobulin-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes in tumor rejection remains elusive. Here, we combined bioinformatics and a T cell-expansion system to identify human immunoglobulin-derived peptides capable of inducing cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses. Immunogenic peptides were derived from framework regions of the variable regions of the immunoglobulin that were shared among patients. Human-leukocyte-antigen-matched and autologous cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for these peptides killed primary malignant B cells, demonstrating that malignant B cells are capable of processing and presenting such peptides. Targeting shared peptides to induce T-cell responses might further improve current vaccination strategies in B-cell malignancies.
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