Direct evidence that leukemic cells present HLA-associated immunogenic peptides derived from the BCR-ABL b3a2 fusion protein

Blood. 2001 Nov 15;98(10):2887-93. doi: 10.1182/blood.v98.10.2887.

Abstract

The BCR-ABL oncogene is central in the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Here, tandem nanospray mass spectrometry was used to demonstrate cell surface HLA-associated expression of the BCR-ABL peptide KQSSKALQR on class I-negative CML cells transfected with HLA-A*0301, and on primary CML cells from HLA-A3-positive patients. These patients mounted a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to KQSSKALQR that also killed autologous CML cells, and tetramer staining demonstrated the presence of circulating KQSSKALQR-specific T cells. The findings are the first demonstration that CML cells express HLA-associated leukemia-specific immunogenic peptides and provide a sound basis for immunization studies against BCR-ABL.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antigen Presentation*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / chemistry
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology*
  • Antigens, Surface / chemistry
  • Antigens, Surface / immunology*
  • Female
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / chemistry
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / immunology*
  • HLA-A3 Antigen / genetics
  • HLA-A3 Antigen / immunology*
  • Humans
  • K562 Cells / immunology
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / genetics
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Proteins / chemistry
  • Neoplasm Proteins / immunology*
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / immunology*
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Antigens, Surface
  • HLA-A3 Antigen
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl