High-affinity human leucocyte antigen class I binding variola-derived peptides induce CD4+ T cell responses more than 30 years post-vaccinia virus vaccination.
Interferon-gamma secreting T lymphocytes against pox virus-derived synthetic 9-mer peptides were tested by enzyme-linked immunospot in peripheral blood of individuals vaccinated with vaccinia virus more than 30 years ago. The peptides were characterized biochemically as high-affinity human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I binders (K(D) <or= 5 nM). However, five of the individuals tested did not show typical CD8(+) T cell-mediated HLA class I-restricted responses. Instead, these donors showed CD4(+) T cell-dependent responses against four of a total of eight antigenic 9-mer peptides discovered recently by our group. These latter responses were blocked specifically in the presence of anti-HLA class II antibody. We conclude that long-lived memory responses against pox virus-derived 9-mer peptides, with high binding affinity for HLA class I molecules, are mediated in some cases by CD4(+) T cells and apparently restricted by HLA class II molecules.
Wang
M
M
Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, The Netherlands.
Tang
S T
ST
Lund
O
O
Dziegiel
M H
MH
Buus
S
S
Claesson
M H
MH
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011485:Protein Binding; D013997:Time Factors; D014611:Vaccination; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000276:immunology*; D012901:Variola virus / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II