IFN-gamma exposes a cryptic cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

Abstract

The proteasome, an essential component of the ATP-dependent proteolytic pathway in eukaryotic cells, is responsible for the degradation of most cellular proteins and is believed to be the main source of MHC class I-restricted antigenic peptides for presentation to CTL. Inhibition of the proteasome by lactacystin or various peptide aldehydes can result in defective Ag presentation, and the pivotal role of the proteasome in Ag processing has become generally accepted. However, recent reports have challenged this observation. Here we examine the processing requirements of two HLA A*0201-restricted epitopes from HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and find that they are produced by different degradation pathways. Presentation of the C-terminal ILKEPVHGV epitope is impaired in ME275 melanoma cells by treatment with lactacystin, and is independent of expression of the IFN-gamma-inducible proteasome beta subunits LMP2 and LMP7. In contrast, both lactacystin treatment and expression of LMP7 induce the presentation of the N-terminal VIYQYMDDL epitope. Consistent with these observations we show that up-regulation of LMP7 by IFN-gamma enhances presentation of the VIYQYMDDL epitope. Hence interplay between constitutive and IFN-gamma-inducible beta-subunits of the proteasome can qualitatively influence Ag presentation. These observations may have relevance to the patterns of immunodominance during the natural course of viral infection.

• Authors: A K Sewell, D A Price, H Teisserenc, B L Booth Jr, U Gileadi, F M Flavin, J Trowsdale, R E Phillips, V Cerundolo
• Journal: Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) (J Immunol) Vol. 162 Issue 12 Pg. 7075-9 (Jun 15 1999) ISSN: 0022-1767 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10358150 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 2
• ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
• EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus
• Enzyme Inhibitors
• Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
• Multienzyme Complexes
• Proteins
• TAP1 protein, human
• Viral Matrix Proteins
• lactacystin
• Interferon-gamma
• HIV Reverse Transcriptase
• Cysteine Endopeptidases
• LMP7 protein
• Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
• Acetylcysteine

Topics

• ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 2
• ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters (genetics)
• Acetylcysteine (analogs & derivatives, pharmacology)
• Antigen Presentation (drug effects, genetics)
• Cell Line
• Cysteine Endopeptidases (metabolism, physiology)
• Enzyme Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte (metabolism)
• Gene Deletion
• HIV Reverse Transcriptase (immunology, metabolism)
• HIV-1 (enzymology, immunology)
• Histocompatibility Antigens Class II (genetics)
• Humans
• Interferon-gamma (pharmacology)
• Multienzyme Complexes (metabolism, physiology)
• Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
• Proteins (genetics, physiology)
• T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic (immunology, virology)
• Tumor Cells, Cultured
• Viral Matrix Proteins (deficiency, genetics)