Identification of helper T-cell epitopes that encompass or lie proximal to cytotoxic T-cell epitopes in the gp100 melanoma tumor antigen

Cancer Res. 2001 Oct 15;61(20):7577-84.

Abstract

The melanocyte-associated antigen gp100 constitutes one of the most attractive targets for T-cell-based immunotherapy against malignant melanoma. Although several MHC class I-restricted epitopes have been identified for CTLs, thus far, only one MHC class II T helper epitope (restricted by HLA-DR4) has been described in the literature. Using an algorithm to identify promiscuous helper T-cell epitopes, here we describe three additional MHC class II-restricted epitopes from gp100. Whereas one T helper epitope, gp100(175-189), was restricted by the HLA-DR53 and DQw6 alleles, the T-cell responses to two other epitopes, gp100(74-89) and gp100(576-590), were restricted by HLA-DR7. Most interestingly, the newly identified helper T lymphocyte epitopes encompass or lie proximal to previously described CTL epitopes for this tumor-associated antigen. Together with the previously described HLA-DR4-restricted epitope, these T helper epitopes offer coverage for the majority of the human population. Moreover, the use of peptide vaccines containing both CTLs and T helper epitopes could offer therapeutic advantages over current approaches that focus solely on eliciting antitumor CTL responses.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Alleles
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antigen Presentation / immunology
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Epitope Mapping
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / analysis
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / genetics
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • HLA-DQ Antigens / genetics
  • HLA-DQ Antigens / immunology
  • HLA-DR Antigens / genetics
  • HLA-DR Antigens / immunology
  • HLA-DR7 Antigen / genetics
  • HLA-DR7 Antigen / immunology
  • HLA-DRB4 Chains
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / immunology
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / immunology*
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • gp100 Melanoma Antigen

Substances

  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • HLA-DQ Antigens
  • HLA-DQ6 antigen
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • HLA-DR53
  • HLA-DR7 Antigen
  • HLA-DRB4 Chains
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • PMEL protein, human
  • Peptide Fragments
  • gp100 Melanoma Antigen