TY - JOUR
T1 - An immunodominant SSX-2-derived epitope recognized by CD4+ T cells in association with HLA-DR
AU - Ayyoub, Maha
AU - Hesdorffer, Charles S.
AU - Montes, Monica
AU - Merlo, Andrea
AU - Speiser, Daniel
AU - Rimoldi, Donata
AU - Cerottini, Jean Charles
AU - Ritter, Gerd
AU - Scanlan, Matthew
AU - Old, Lloyd J.
AU - Valmori, Danila
PY - 2004/4
Y1 - 2004/4
N2 - Ectopic gene expression in tumors versus normal somatic tissues provides opportunities for the specific immunotargeting of cancer cells. SSX gene products are expressed in tumors of different histological types and can be recognized by tumor-reactive CTLs from cancer patients. Here, we report the identification of an SSX-2-derived immunodominant T cell epitope recognized by CD4+ T cells from melanoma patients in association with HLA-DR. The epitope maps to the 37-58 region of the protein, encompassing the sequence of the previously defined HLA-A2-restricted immunodominant epitope SSX-2 41-49. SSX-237-58-specific CD4+ T cells were detected among circulating lymphocytes from the majority of melanoma patients analyzed and among tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, but not in healthy donors. Together, our data suggest a dominant role of the 37-58 sequence in the induction of cellular CD4+ T cell responses against SSX antigens and will be instrumental for both the onset and the monitoring of upcoming cancer-vaccine trials using SSX-derived immunogens.
AB - Ectopic gene expression in tumors versus normal somatic tissues provides opportunities for the specific immunotargeting of cancer cells. SSX gene products are expressed in tumors of different histological types and can be recognized by tumor-reactive CTLs from cancer patients. Here, we report the identification of an SSX-2-derived immunodominant T cell epitope recognized by CD4+ T cells from melanoma patients in association with HLA-DR. The epitope maps to the 37-58 region of the protein, encompassing the sequence of the previously defined HLA-A2-restricted immunodominant epitope SSX-2 41-49. SSX-237-58-specific CD4+ T cells were detected among circulating lymphocytes from the majority of melanoma patients analyzed and among tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, but not in healthy donors. Together, our data suggest a dominant role of the 37-58 sequence in the induction of cellular CD4+ T cell responses against SSX antigens and will be instrumental for both the onset and the monitoring of upcoming cancer-vaccine trials using SSX-derived immunogens.
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U2 - 10.1172/JCI200420667
DO - 10.1172/JCI200420667
M3 - Article
C2 - 15085202
AN - SCOPUS:11144354755
SN - 0021-9738
VL - 113
SP - 1225
EP - 1233
JO - Journal of Clinical Investigation
JF - Journal of Clinical Investigation
IS - 8
ER -