An immunodominant SSX-2-derived epitope recognized by CD4+ T cells in association with HLA-DR Journal Article


Authors: Ayyoub, M.; Hesdorffer, C. S.; Montes, M.; Merlo, A.; Speiser, D.; Rimoldi, D.; Cerottini, J. C.; Ritter, G.; Scanlan, M.; Old, L. J.; Valmori, D.
Article Title: An immunodominant SSX-2-derived epitope recognized by CD4+ T cells in association with HLA-DR
Abstract: 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.
Keywords: controlled study; unclassified drug; human cell; cancer patient; t lymphocyte; melanoma; gene expression; protein targeting; neoplasm proteins; gene product; patient monitoring; histology; amino acid sequence; molecular sequence data; cancer vaccine; cancer vaccines; antigen detection; hla dr antigen; antigen recognition; cd4-positive t-lymphocytes; epitope mapping; hla-dr antigens; immunodominant epitopes; peptide fragments; epitope; cd4 antigen; lymphocytic infiltration; epitopes, t-lymphocyte; lymphocyte; repressor proteins; hla system; hla a2 antigen; humans; human; priority journal; article; ssx antigen 2 [37-58]; ssx antigen 2 [41-49]
Journal Title: Journal of Clinical Investigation
Volume: 113
Issue: 8
ISSN: 0021-9738
Publisher: American Society for Clinical Investigation  
Date Published: 2004-04-01
Start Page: 1225
End Page: 1233
Language: English
DOI: 10.1172/jci200420667
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC385406
PUBMED: 15085202
DOI/URL:
Notes: J. Clin. Invest. -- Cited By (since 1996):24 -- Export Date: 16 June 2014 -- CODEN: JCINA -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Matthew J Scanlan
    49 Scanlan
  2. Gerd Ritter
    166 Ritter
  3. Lloyd J Old
    593 Old