title: Identification of HLA-A2-restricted immunogenic peptides derived from a xenogenic porcine major histocompatibility complex.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little information is available regarding the precise swine leukocyte antigen (SLA)-derived immunogenic peptides that are presented in the context of human HLA molecules. Here, we identified SLA-derived immunogenic peptides that are presented in association with human HLA-A2 molecule.
  
  
  METHODS
  The SLA-derived peptides that bind to HLA-A*0201, a representative of the A2 supertype, were predicted using a computer-assisted algorithm. The candidate peptides were synthesized, and the stabilities of complexes formed between peptides and HLA-A*0201 were compared using major histocompatibility complex (MHC) stabilization assays. The cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-inducing activity of the selected peptides was examined in HLA-A*0201-transgenic mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 15 candidate peptides synthesized, two peptides, peptide-35 (YLGPDGLLL) and peptide-43 (TLICHVDSI), were selected to have high affinity and stability with HLA-A*0201. Examination of the CTL-inducing activity of the two peptides in HLA-A*0201-transgenic mice showed that immunization with peptide-35, but not peptide-43, elicited potent CD8-specific CTL responses. The Peptide-35 is present in non-polymorphic α2 domains of 34 SLA-1 alleles, 18 SLA-2 alleles, and 1 SLA-3 allele.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study identifies an immunogenic HLA-A*0201-restricted epitope derived from the SLA, which may be valuable for the development of epitope-specific immunoregulation strategies.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Chan-Su
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Sun-A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Im
authors.forename: Sukgil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Kyungjae
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chong-Kil
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D015789:HLA-A2 Antigen / Q000276:immunology*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D013552:Swine; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
chemical_list: D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; C435939:HLA-A*02:01 antigen; D015789:HLA-A2 Antigen; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; C438668:swine leukocyte antigen
keywords: HLA-A2; indirect recognition; swine leukocyte antigen; xenorecognition