Search results for "epitope"

Synthesis and cell surface display of class II determinants by long-term propagated rat T line cells

1987

We have investigated the capacity of the encephalitogenic BS rat T cell line bs 83 and its variant clone bs 83.III.C6 to synthesize and express RT1.B-specific class II molecule subsets defined by monoclonal antibodies (mAb) MRC-OX6 and MRC-OX3. Earlier studies had indicated that mAb MRC-OX6 recognizes three distinct molecular species: an immature oligomeric polypeptide chain complex comprised of the polymorphic subunits alpha, beta and the invariant proteins of the gamma group; a biosynthetic intermediate composed of post-translationally modified alpha, beta and gamma chain (denoted p35) and a fully glycosylated alpha, beta two-chain complex derived from the plasma membrane. MRC-OX3 was sho…

CD8 T Cells Control Cytomegalovirus Latency by Epitope-Specific Sensing of Transcriptional Reactivation

2006

ABSTRACT During murine cytomegalovirus (mCMV) latency in the lungs, most of the viral genomes are transcriptionally silent at the major immediate-early locus, but rare and stochastic episodes of desilencing lead to the expression of IE1 transcripts. This low-frequency but perpetual expression is accompanied by an activation of lung-resident effector-memory CD8 T cells specific for the antigenic peptide 168-YPHFMPTNL-176, which is derivedfrom the IE1 protein. These molecular and immunological findings were combined in the “silencing/desilencing and immune sensing hypothesis” of cytomegalovirus latency and reactivation. This hypothesis proposes that IE1 gene expression proceeds to cell surfac…

Longitudinal analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis 19-kDa antigen-specific T cells in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis: association with disease…

2003

CD8(+) T cells play a central role in immune protection against infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. One of the target epitopes for anti-M. tuberculosis directed CD8(+) T cells is the HLA-A2-restricted 19-kDa lipoprotein peptide VLTDGNPPEV. T cell clones directed against this epitope recognized not only the nominal peptide ligand, but also a closely related peptide (VPTDPNPPEV) from the HIV envelope gp120 (HIV(env) gp120) protein characterized by IFN-gamma release. This cross-reactivity was confirmed in ex vivo in M. tuberculosis 19-kDa tetramer-sorted T cells from patients with tuberculosis and in HIVgp120 tetramer-reactive T cells sorted from HIV(+) patients. M. tuberculosis 19-kDa …

Th0 to Th1 switch of CD4 T cell clones specific from the 16-kDa antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis after successful therapy: lack of involvement o…

2005

Abstract In this study, we have examined the influence of HLA-DR molecules and the structure of the epitope repertoire of the 16-kDa protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on the acquisition of the cytokine secretion pattern of CD4 T cell clones, obtained from tuberculous patients before and after anti-mycobacterial therapy. Our data indicate that TB patients have a predominant Th0 response against the 16-kDa protein and its epitopes and that healing, induced by anti-mycobacterial therapy, is associated with a shift toward a predominant Th1 phenotype. Moreover, both HLA-DR molecules restricting the clone specificity and the nature of the recognized epitope do not play any role in the generat…

Not just for tumor targeting: unmet medical needs and opportunities for nanomedicine.

2015

During the last 3 decades, nanomedicines have provided novel opportunities to improve the delivery of chemotherapeutics in cancer therapy effectively. However, many principles learnt from there have the potential to be transferred to other diseases. This perspective article, on the one hand, critically reflects the limitations of nanomedicines in tumor therapy and, on the other hand, provides alternative examples of nanomedicinal applications in immunotherapy, noninvasive drug deliveries across epithelial barriers and strategies to combat intra- and extra-cellular bacterial infections. Looking ahead, access to highly complex nanoparticular delivery vehicles given nowadays may allow further…

Synthetic vaccines consisting of tumor-associated MUC1 glycopeptide antigens and a T-cell epitope for the induction of a highly specific humoral immu…

2008

Initiation of adaptive immune responses by transcutaneous immunization.

2007

The development of new, effective, easy-to-use and lower-cost vaccination approaches for the combat against malignant and infectious diseases is a pre-eminent need: cancer is a leading cause of morbidity in the Western World; there are numerous pathogenic diseases for which we still have no protective or therapeutic cure; and the financial limitations of developing countries to fight these diseases. In this mini-review we focus on transcutaneous immunization (TCI), a relatively new route for antigen delivery. TCI protocols appear to be particularly promising by gaining access to skin resident APC, which are highly efficient for the initiation of humoral and/or cellular immune responses. Con…

Anti‐laminin auto antibodies in ANCA‐associated vasculitis

2000

Background. Endothelial cell damage occurs during vasculitic processes in vivo. With the alteration of the endothelium, exposure to basement membrane components may occur with induction of humoral immunity. Methods. In the present study, we evaluated the prevalence of antibodies against the basement membrane antigen laminin (LMN) in patients with ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis (AASV), pathologic controls (systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed cryoglobulinaemia, Henoch Schonlein purpura, primary glomerulonephritis) and normal individuals. Results. By ELISA, 21.6% of AASV (16/74) and 10% of pathologic controls (3/30), but only one of the normal controls (2.8%) had these antibodies (P = 0.0…

Agonist and antagonist-dependent internalization of the human vasopressin V2 receptor.

1998

Abstract In this report we demonstrate that in HEK293 cells stably expressing the human V2vasopressin receptor, ligand-induced internalization of the hormone receptor occurs via the clathrin-dependent pathway. Studies of receptor trafficking either by direct visualization of the V2receptor by confocal microscopy or binding experiments show a rapid internalization (half-time 6–7 min). Blocking of the clathrin-dependent pathway by hypertonic sucrose increased vasopressin-induced cellular cAMP production and decreased the desensitization of the V2receptor–adenylyl cyclase system. Thus, internalization appears to be a major regulatory mechanism terminating vasopressin action in HEK293 cells. Tw…

Signal sequences modulate the immunogenic performance of human hepatitis C virus E2 gene

2005

Abstract Envelope protein E2 of human hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an attractive component of a prototype HCV vaccine. Delivered by DNA immunogens, E2 evokes specific immune response of Th1-type, failing to induce either considerable antibody production, or T-helper cell proliferation. We aimed at modulating the immunogenic performance of E2 gene by changing the mode of protein expression in eukaryotic cells. Plasmids were constructed encoding full-length E2 and nonstructural protein 1 (p7) fused to either 13 or 38 C-terminal amino acids (aa) of HCV E1 that contain second hydrophobic segment of E1 stop-transfer signal, or a complete E1 stop-transfer signal with duplicated second hydrophobic s…