HLA-E Presents Glycopeptides from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Protein MPT32 to Human CD8+ T cells

Sci Rep. 2017 Jul 4;7(1):4622. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-04894-0.

Abstract

Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the bacterium that causes tuberculosis, remains a global health concern. Both classically and non-classically restricted cytotoxic CD8+ T cells are important to the control of Mtb infection. We and others have demonstrated that the non-classical MHC I molecule HLA-E can present pathogen-derived peptides to CD8+ T cells. In this manuscript, we identified the antigen recognized by an HLA-E-restricted CD8+ T cell clone isolated from an Mtb latently infected individual as a peptide from the Mtb protein, MPT32. Recognition by the CD8+ T cell clone required N-terminal O-linked mannosylation of MPT32 by a mannosyltransferase encoded by the Rv1002c gene. This is the first description of a post-translationally modified Mtb-derived protein antigen presented in the context of an HLA-E specific CD8+ T cell immune response. The identification of an immune response that targets a unique mycobacterial modification is novel and may have practical impact in the development of vaccines and diagnostics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • A549 Cells
  • Antigen Presentation
  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • Glycopeptides / immunology
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HLA-E Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Mannose / metabolism
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / immunology
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis / metabolism*
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Tuberculosis / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Glycopeptides
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Mannose