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

Nat Med. 2000 Jun;6(6):667-72. doi: 10.1038/76243.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Computational Biology
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • HLA-A2 Antigen / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region / immunology
  • Immunoglobulins / immunology*
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / immunology*
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / immunology
  • Lymphoma, Mantle-Cell / immunology
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / immunology*
  • Multiple Myeloma / immunology*
  • Peptides / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*

Substances

  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • HLA-A2 Antigen
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region
  • Immunoglobulins
  • Peptides