The minor histocompatibility antigen HA-3 arises from differential proteasome-mediated cleavage of the lymphoid blast crisis (Lbc) oncoprotein

Blood. 2003 Jul 15;102(2):621-9. doi: 10.1182/blood-2003-01-0260. Epub 2003 Mar 27.

Abstract

Minor histocompatibility (H) antigens crucially affect the outcome of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). To understand the basis of alloimmune responses against minor H antigens, identification of minor H peptides and their antigenicity-determining mechanisms is essential. Here we report the identification of HA-3 and its encoding gene. The HA-3 peptide, VTEPGTAQY (HA-3T), is encoded by the lymphoid blast crisis (Lbc) oncogene. We thus show for the first time that a leukemia-associated oncogene can give rise to immunogenic T-cell epitopes that may have participated in antihost and antileukemic alloimmune responses. Genotypic analysis of HA-3- individuals revealed the allelic counterpart VMEPGTAQY (HA-3M). Despite the lack of T-cell recognition of HA-3- cells, the Thr-->Met substitution had only a modest effect on peptide binding to HLA-A1 and a minimal impact on recognition by T cells when added exogenously to target cells. This substitution did not influence transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) transport, but, in contrast to the HA-3T peptide, HA-3M is destroyed by proteasome-mediated digestion. Thus, the immunogenicity of minor H antigens can result from proteasome-mediated destruction of the negative allelic peptide.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • A Kinase Anchor Proteins
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 2
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / metabolism
  • Acute Disease
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Alleles
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Antigen Presentation
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Clone Cells / immunology
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / metabolism*
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / genetics*
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / metabolism
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • HLA-A1 Antigen / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / immunology
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / therapy
  • Male
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multienzyme Complexes / metabolism*
  • Pedigree
  • Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • A Kinase Anchor Proteins
  • AKAP13 protein, human
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 2
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • HLA-A1 Antigen
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Multienzyme Complexes
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • TAP1 protein, human
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex