A MAGE-A4 peptide presented by HLA-B37 is recognized on human tumors by cytolytic T lymphocytes

Tissue Antigens. 2002 Nov;60(5):365-71. doi: 10.1034/j.1399-0039.2002.600503.x.

Abstract

'Cancer-germline' genes such as those of the MAGE family are expressed in many tumors and in male germline cells, but are silent in normal tissues. They encode shared tumor-specific antigens, which have been used in therapeutic vaccination trials of cancer patients. MAGE-A4 is expressed in more than 50% of carcinomas of esophagus, head and neck, lung, and bladder. We report here the identification of a new MAGE-A4 encoded peptide, which is recognized by a cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) clone on HLA-B*3701. The sequence of the peptide is SESLKMIF. It corresponds to the MAGE-A4156-163 protein sequence. When tumor cells expressing MAGE-A4 were transfected with HLA-B*3701, they were recognized by the CTL clone, demonstrating that the peptide ought to be processed in tumor cells and could therefore serve as a target for therapeutic antitumoral vaccination.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigen Presentation* / immunology
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • HLA-B Antigens / immunology*
  • HLA-B37 Antigen
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Proteins*
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • HLA-B Antigens
  • HLA-B37 Antigen
  • MAGEA4 protein, human
  • Neoplasm Proteins