0000000000076223
AUTHOR
Soldano Ferrone
TAP off - tumors on
Abstract The molecular characterization of T-cell-defined tumor-associated antigens has provided targets for cell-mediated immunotherapy for malignant diseases. The success of this strategy is negatively influenced by structural and functional abnormalities of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, which provide tumor cells with resistance to T-cell-mediated immune recognition. This article reviews the physiology of the MHC class I processing machinery and describes the deficiencies of this pathway in malignant cells.
MHC class I antigen processing pathway defects, ras mutations and disease stage in colorectal carcinoma
Colorectal tumorigenesis has been associated with the progressive acquisition of a variety of genetic alterations. These include mutations of the Ki-ras proto-oncogene in codons 12 and 13, which account for 85% of genetic changes in colorectal cancer. In murine in vitro models of oncogenic transformation, an association between ras-mediated transformation and downregulation of different components of the MHC class I antigen processing machinery (APM) has been described. In order to investigate whether this association also exists in human tumors, 10 cases of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HIN), as well as primary tumors and autologous lymph node metastases from 42 patients with color…
HLA-G and MIC expression in tumors and their role in anti-tumor immunity.
Non-classical MHC class Ib molecules have attracted growing interest in recent years, especially because they interact with non-T-cell inhibitory or triggering receptors expressed on natural killer (NK) and T cells, suggesting that they have a role in immune recognition. Abnormalities in MHC class Ib expression are frequently found in human tumors of various histologies and might be associated with poor clinical outcome despite the local accumulation of immune competent cells. Available data suggest that the balance between activating and suppressing signals significantly influences the efficacy of the immune response and consequently of tumor progression.
Tumors as elusive targets of T-cell-based active immunotherapy.
The understanding of tumor-host interactions remains elusive despite significant progress in the identification of tumor antigens (TAs) recognized by autologous T cells. In particular, most human tumors do not regress and continue to grow in spite of spontaneous or immunization-induced immune responses demonstrated in circulating lymphocytes. Indeed, systemic immune responses might insufficiently address the complexity of tumor-host interactions because of factors, such as (1) the lack of productive T-cell receptor (TCR) engagement with epitope owing to qualitative and/or quantitative defects in the generation and maintenance of the immune response, (2) insufficient costimulation provided b…
Defects in the Human Leukocyte Antigen Class I Antigen Processing Machinery in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Association with Clinical Outcome
AbstractPurpose: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigen defects, which are frequently present in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells may provide the tumor with an escape mechanism from immune surveillance. Scanty information is available about mechanisms underlying HLA class I antigen defects in both lesions and cell lines from HNSCC. In this study, we investigate the role of antigen processing machinery (APM) component abnormalities in the generation of deficient HLA class I surface expression of HNSCC cells.Experimental Design: Using immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and RT-PCR analyses we correlated the expression of the IFN-γ inducible proteasome subunits and of…
Genetic evolution of T-cell resistance in the course of melanoma progression
Abstract Purpose: CD8+ T lymphocytes can kill autologous melanoma cells, but their activity is impaired when poorly immunogenic tumor phenotypes evolve in the course of disease progression. Here, we analyzed three consecutive melanoma lesions obtained within one year of developing stage IV disease for their recognition by autologous T cells. Experimental Design: One skin (Ma-Mel-48a) and two lymph node (Ma-Mel-48b, Ma-Mel-48c) metastases were analyzed for T-cell infiltration. Melanoma cell lines established from the respective lesions were characterized, determining the T-cell–stimulatory capacity, expression of surface molecules involved in T-cell activation, and specific genetic alteratio…
Antigen-processing machinery breakdown and tumor growth.
Defects in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen-processing machinery (APM) have been described in tumors of different histology. Murine data suggest that defects in the MHC class II APM might also be associated with malignant transformation of human cells. This article describes the pathophysiology of the MHC class I and II APM, reviews APM abnormalities in tumor cells and discusses their role in the escape of tumor cells from in vitro recognition by T cells.
Innovative Therapy, Monoclonal Antibodies and Beyond
IF 6.794; International audience; The seventh Edition of "Innovative Therapy, Monoclonal Antibodies and Beyond" Meeting took place in Milan, Italy, on January 27, 2017. The two sessions of the meeting were focused on: 1) Preclinical assays and novel biotargets; and 2) monoclonal antibodies, cell therapies and targeted molecules. Between these two sessions, a lecture entitled "HLA-antigens modulation and response to immune checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy" was also presented. Despite the impressive successes in cancer immunotherapy in recent years, the response to immune based interventions occurs only in a minority of patients (∼20%). Several basic and translational mechanisms of resistan…
Molecular mechanisms of HLA class I antigen abnormalities following viral infection and transformation.
In humans as in other animal species, CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) play an important if not the major role in controlling virus-infected and malignant cell growth. The interactions between CD8+ T cells and target cells are mediated by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I antigens loaded with viral and tumor antigen-derived peptides along with costimulatory receptor/ligand stimuli. Thus, to escape from CD8+ T-cell recognition and destruction, viruses and tumor cells have developed strategies to inhibit the expression and/or function of HLA class I antigens. In contrast, cells with downregulated MHC class I surface expression can be recognized by NK cells, although NK cell-mediated ly…
HLA class I antigen abnormalities and immune escape by malignant cells
Abbreviations used in this paper: APM, antigen processing machinery; β2m,β2 microglobulin; bp, base pair; CTL, cytotoxic T lymphocytes; ER, endoplasmic reticulum; HC, heavy chain; HNSCC, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; IFN, interferon; IL, interleukin; KIR, killing inhibitory receptors; LMP, low molecular weight proteins; LOH, loss of heterozygosity; mAb, monoclonal antibody; MHC, major histocompatibility complex; NK, natural killer; PA, proteasome activator; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; RCC, renal cell carcinoma; SCLC, small cell-lung carcinoma; TAA, tumor-associated antigens; TAP, transporter associated with antigen processing; TCR, T cell receptor; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; w…
Development and characterization of mouse anti-human LMP2, LMP7, TAP1 and TAP2 monoclonal antibodies.
Low molecular mass polypeptides (LMP) 2 and LMP7 and transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) subunits TAP1 and TAP2 play a crucial role in antigen processing and cell surface expression of HLA class I molecules. Since monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to these molecules will facilitate the analysis of their expression, structure and function in normal and transformed cells, in the present study we have developed these reagents. Specifically anti-LMP2 and LMP7 mAb were generated from BALB/c mice immunized with specific peptides, and anti-TAP1 and TAP2 mAb from BALB/c mice immunized with respective recombinant proteins. mAb VF101-39F7 and VF101-39G5 were shown to be specific for LMP2, …
Expression of Histocompatibility Antigens during the Growth Cycle of Cultured Lymphoid Cells
Histocompatibility antigens are genetically determined markers which are located on plasma membranes of tissue cells of each member of a species. HL-A antigens are the gene products of the major histocompatibility locus in man and represent the human counterparts of the H-2, Ag-B, ChL-A and DL-A systems in mice, rats, chimpanzees and dogs, respectively (Palm, 1964; Snell and Stimpfling, 1966; Rapaport et al., 1970; Balner et al., 1971; Klein and Shreffler, 1971). The great interest in the serologic, genetic, chemical and immunological characterization of histocompatibility antigens is attributable to the fact they provide cell surface markers useful in selecting transplant donors and recipi…