A human minor histocompatibility antigen specific for B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

J Exp Med. 1999 Jan 18;189(2):301-8. doi: 10.1084/jem.189.2.301.

Abstract

Human minor histocompatibility antigens (mHags) play an important role in the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) reactivity against leukemia after human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). As most mHags are not leukemia specific but are also expressed by normal tissues, antileukemia reactivity is often associated with life-threatening graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Here, we describe a novel mHag, HB-1, that elicits donor-derived CTL reactivity in a B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) patient treated by HLA-matched BMT. We identified the gene encoding the antigenic peptide recognized by HB-1-specific CTLs. Interestingly, expression of the HB-1 gene was only observed in B-ALL cells and Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cells. The HB-1 gene-encoded peptide EEKRGSLHVW is recognized by the CTL in association with HLA-B44. Further analysis reveals that a polymorphism in the HB-1 gene generates a single amino acid exchange from His to Tyr at position 8 within this peptide. This amino acid substitution is critical for recognition by HB-1-specific CTLs. The restricted expression of the polymorphic HB-1 Ag by B-ALL cells and the ability to generate HB-1-specific CTLs in vitro using peptide-loaded dendritic cells offer novel opportunities to specifically target the immune system against B-ALL without the risk of evoking GVHD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / immunology
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / immunology*
  • Cell Line
  • Clone Cells / immunology
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
  • Graft vs Host Disease / immunology
  • HLA Antigens / immunology*
  • HLA-B Antigens / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Pedigree
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • HLA Antigens
  • HLA-B Antigens
  • HMHB1 protein, human
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Peptide Fragments