An HLA-DRB1-derived peptide associated with protection against rheumatoid arthritis is naturally processed by human APCs.

Abstract

Predisposition to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is thought to be associated with HLA-DR1, -DR4, and -DR10. However, many epidemiological observations are better explained by a model in which the DQ alleles that are linked to these DR alleles, i.e., DQ5, DQ7, and DQ8, predispose to RA, while certain DR alleles have a dominant protective effect. All protective DRB1 alleles, e.g., *0402, *1301, and *1302, encode a unique motif, (70)DERAA(74). The protection may be explained by the presentation of DRB1-derived peptides by DQ to immunoregulatory T cells, because it was demonstrated in various autoimmune disease models that T cell responses to certain self-Ags can be involved in disease suppression. The aim of this study was to analyze whether peptides carrying the DERAA motif are naturally processed by human APC and presented in the context of the RA-predisposing DQ. Using a synthetic peptide carrying the DRB1*0402-derived sequence (65)KDILEDERAAVDTYC(79), we generated DERAA peptide-specific DQ-restricted T cell clones (TCC) from a DQ8 homozygous individual carrying DERAA-negative DR4 alleles. By analyzing the proliferation of these TCC, we demonstrated natural processing and presentation of the DERAA sequence by the APC of all the individuals (n = 12) carrying a DERAA-positive DRB1 allele and either DQ8 or the DQ8-related DQ7. Using a panel of truncated synthetic peptides, we identified the sequence (67)(I)LEDERAAVD(TY)(78) as the minimal determinant for binding to DQ8 and for recognition by the TCC. These findings support a model in which self-MHC-derived peptide can modulate predisposition to autoimmune disease in humans.

• Authors: A Snijders, D G Elferink, A Geluk, A L van Der Zanden, K Vos, G M Schreuder, F C Breedveld, R R de Vries, E H Zanelli
• Journal: Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) (J Immunol) Vol. 166 Issue 8 Pg. 4987-93 (Apr 15 2001) ISSN: 0022-1767 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11290778 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
• HLA-DQ Antigens
• HLA-DQ7 antigen
• HLA-DQ8 antigen
• HLA-DR Antigens
• HLA-DRB1 Chains
• HLA-DRB1*04:02 antigen
• Peptide Fragments

Topics

• Alleles
• Amino Acid Sequence
• Antigen Presentation (genetics)
• Antigen-Presenting Cells (immunology, metabolism)
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid (genetics, immunology, metabolism)
• Cell Line
• Clone Cells
• Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte (genetics, immunology)
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• HLA-DQ Antigens (genetics, immunology, metabolism)
• HLA-DR Antigens (genetics, immunology, metabolism)
• HLA-DRB1 Chains
• Humans
• Lymphocyte Activation (genetics)
• Molecular Sequence Data
• Peptide Fragments (genetics, immunology, metabolism)
• Protein Binding (genetics, immunology)
• T-Lymphocyte Subsets (immunology, metabolism)