Natural T-helper immunity against human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E7-derived peptide epitopes in patients with HPV16-positive cervical lesions: identification of 3 human leukocyte antigen class II-restricted epitopes.
Tumor-specific T-helper (Th) immunity was found to play a pivotal role in the natural and vaccine-induced immune defense against tumors. Since the majority of cervical cancers express human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E7 oncoprotein, it is important to investigate the Th response against this target antigen in detail. By means of PBMC cultures from HLA-typed healthy donors, we identified the central part of HPV16 E7 (E7(41-72)) as the major immunogenic region within this antigen. Furthermore, we mapped 3 distinct Th epitopes within this region (DR15/E7(50-62), DR3/E7(43-77), DQ2/E7(35-50)). In a parallel approach, employing IFN-gamma ELISPOT analysis, we detected Th immunity against HPV16 E7 in subjects with HPV16+ lesions. Several of these responses matched with the 3 Th epitopes defined in our study. A number of other HPV16+ subjects did not display any E7-specific type 1 cytokine-producing T-cell immunity, indicating failure of the immune response. Our combined data argue for more extensive as well as longitudinal analysis of HPV16-specific T-cell immunity using the ELISPOT assay described, as well as for HPV-specific vaccination of individuals with HPV+ lesions.
Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. shvdburg@worldonline.nl
S H
SH
van der Burg
M E
ME
Ressing
K M
KM
Kwappenberg
A
A
de Jong
K
K
Straathof
J
J
de Jong
A
A
Geluk
K E
KE
van Meijgaarden
K L
KL
Franken
T H
TH
Ottenhoff
G J
GJ
Fleuren
G
G
Kenter
C J
CJ
Melief
R
R
Offringa
D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000737:chemistry; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D018604:Epitope Mapping; D000939:Epitopes / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000737:chemistry; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000737:chemistry; D059810:HLA-DR Serological Subtypes; D015803:HLA-DR3 Antigen / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D050725:Papillomavirus E7 Proteins; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012008:Recurrence; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000821:virology*
D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D016207:Cytokines; D000939:Epitopes; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; C053186:HLA-DQ2 antigen; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059810:HLA-DR Serological Subtypes; C106559:HLA-DR15 antigen; D015803:HLA-DR3 Antigen; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral; D050725:Papillomavirus E7 Proteins; D010455:Peptides; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C059731:oncogene protein E7, Human papillomavirus type 16; D007371:Interferon-gamma