The role of antigen cross-presentation from leukemia blasts on immunity to the leukemia-associated antigen PR1

J Immunother. 2012 May;35(4):309-20. doi: 10.1097/CJI.0b013e31824b3b14.

Abstract

Cross-presentation is an important mechanism by which exogenous tumor antigens are presented to elicit immunity. Because neutrophil elastase (NE) and proteinase-3 (P3) expression is increased in myeloid leukemia, we investigated whether NE and P3 are cross-presented by dendritic cells (DC) and B cells, and whether the NE and P3 source determines immune outcomes. We show that NE and P3 are elevated in leukemia patient serum and that levels correlate with remission status. We demonstrate cellular uptake of NE and P3 into lysosomes, ubiquitination, and proteasome processing for cross-presentation. Using anti-PR1/human leukocyte antigen-A2 monoclonal antibody, we provide direct evidence that B-cells cross-present soluble and leukemia-associated NE and P3, whereas DCs cross-present only leukemia-associated NE and P3. Cross-presentation occurred at early time points but was not associated with DC or B-cell activation, suggesting that NE and P3 cross-presentation may favor tolerance. Furthermore, we show aberrant subcellular localization of NE and P3 in leukemia blasts to compartments that share common elements of the classic major histocompatibility class I antigen-presenting pathway, which may facilitate cross-presentation. Our data demonstrate distinct mechanisms for cross-presentation of soluble and cell-associated NE and P3, which may be valuable in understanding immunity to PR1 in leukemia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cross-Priming / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology
  • Humans
  • Leukemia / immunology*
  • Leukocyte Elastase / immunology*
  • Leukocyte Elastase / metabolism
  • Lysosomes / metabolism
  • Myeloblastin / immunology*
  • Myeloblastin / metabolism
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism
  • Protein Transport
  • Signal Transduction
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Leukocyte Elastase
  • Myeloblastin
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex