Direct evidence that leukemic cells present HLA-associated immunogenic peptides derived from the BCR-ABL b3a2 fusion protein

RE Clark, IA Dodi, SC Hill, JR Lill… - Blood, The Journal …, 2001 - ashpublications.org
RE Clark, IA Dodi, SC Hill, JR Lill, G Aubert, AR Macintyre, J Rojas, A Bourdon, PLR Bonner…
Blood, The Journal of the American Society of Hematology, 2001ashpublications.org
The BCR-ABL oncogene is central in the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
Here, tandem nanospray mass spectrometry was used to demonstrate cell surface HLA-
associated expression of the BCR-ABL peptide KQSSKALQR on class I-negative CML cells
transfected with HLA-A* 0301, and on primary CML cells from HLA-A3–positive patients.
These patients mounted a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to KQSSKALQR that also killed
autologous CML cells, and tetramer staining demonstrated the presence of circulating …
Abstract
The BCR-ABL oncogene is central in the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Here, tandem nanospray mass spectrometry was used to demonstrate cell surface HLA-associated expression of the BCR-ABL peptide KQSSKALQR on class I-negative CML cells transfected with HLA-A*0301, and on primary CML cells from HLA-A3–positive patients. These patients mounted a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to KQSSKALQR that also killed autologous CML cells, and tetramer staining demonstrated the presence of circulating KQSSKALQR-specific T cells. The findings are the first demonstration that CML cells express HLA-associated leukemia-specific immunogenic peptides and provide a sound basis for immunization studies against BCR-ABL.
ashpublications.org