TY - JOUR
T1 - Nondominant CD8+ T cells are active players in the vaccine-induced antitumor immune response
AU - Uram, Jennifer N.
AU - Black, Chelsea M.
AU - Flynn, Emilee
AU - Huang, Lanqing
AU - Armstrong, Todd D.
AU - Jaffee, Elizabeth M.
PY - 2011/4/1
Y1 - 2011/4/1
N2 - We previously reported that CD8+ T cells are directed predominantly toward the immunodominant Her-2/neu (neu) epitope RNEU 420-429 in nontolerized FVB/N but not tolerized HER-2/neu (neu-N) mice. In this study, we screened overlapping peptides of the entire neu protein and identified six new epitopes recognized by vaccine-induced neu-N-derived T cells. Evaluation of individual nondominant responses by tetramer staining and IFN-g secretion demonstrate that this repertoire is peripherally tolerized. To address the role that the complete CD8+ T cell repertoire plays in vaccine-induced antitumor immunity, we created a whole-cell vaccine-expressing neu cDNA that has been mutated at the RNEU420-429 anchor residue, thereby abrogating activation of immunodominant epitope responses. Studies comparing the mutated and nonmutated vaccines indicate that nondominant CD 8+ T cells can induce antitumor immunity when combined with regulatory T cell-depleting agents in both neu-N and FVB/N mice. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that the neu-directed T cell repertoire is not intrinsically incapable of eradicating tumors. Rather, they are suppressed by mechanisms of peripheral tolerance. Thus, these studies provide new insights into the function of the complete T cell repertoire directed toward a clinically relevant tumor Ag in tumor-bearing hosts.
AB - We previously reported that CD8+ T cells are directed predominantly toward the immunodominant Her-2/neu (neu) epitope RNEU 420-429 in nontolerized FVB/N but not tolerized HER-2/neu (neu-N) mice. In this study, we screened overlapping peptides of the entire neu protein and identified six new epitopes recognized by vaccine-induced neu-N-derived T cells. Evaluation of individual nondominant responses by tetramer staining and IFN-g secretion demonstrate that this repertoire is peripherally tolerized. To address the role that the complete CD8+ T cell repertoire plays in vaccine-induced antitumor immunity, we created a whole-cell vaccine-expressing neu cDNA that has been mutated at the RNEU420-429 anchor residue, thereby abrogating activation of immunodominant epitope responses. Studies comparing the mutated and nonmutated vaccines indicate that nondominant CD 8+ T cells can induce antitumor immunity when combined with regulatory T cell-depleting agents in both neu-N and FVB/N mice. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that the neu-directed T cell repertoire is not intrinsically incapable of eradicating tumors. Rather, they are suppressed by mechanisms of peripheral tolerance. Thus, these studies provide new insights into the function of the complete T cell repertoire directed toward a clinically relevant tumor Ag in tumor-bearing hosts.
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U2 - 10.4049/jimmunol.1000361
DO - 10.4049/jimmunol.1000361
M3 - Article
C2 - 21346233
AN - SCOPUS:79955012459
SN - 0022-1767
VL - 186
SP - 3847
EP - 3857
JO - Journal of Immunology
JF - Journal of Immunology
IS - 7
ER -