Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Use of Interferon-γ Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay to Characterize Novel T-cell Epitopes of Human Papillomavirus
13:41

Use of Interferon-γ Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay to Characterize Novel T-cell Epitopes of Human Papillomavirus

Published on: March 8, 2012

Natural antigenic peptides from squamous cell carcinoma recognized by autologous HLA-DR8-restricted CD4+ T cells

Hiroaki Kondo1, Hiroeki Sahara, Akihiro Miyazaki

  • 1Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan.

Japanese Journal of Cancer Research : Gann
|April 30, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Researchers identified a novel CD4+ T cell target antigen in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This discovery advances understanding of tumor immunity and potential therapeutic strategies for SCC.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • CD8+ T cell tumor antigens are well-characterized, but CD4+ T cell targets remain largely unknown.
  • Previous work identified an oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell line (OSC-20) lysed by autologous CD4+ T cells (TcOSC-20) restricted by HLA-DRB1*08032 (HLA-DR8).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify specific tumor antigens recognized by CD4+ T cells in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
  • To investigate the potential of these antigens as therapeutic targets for SCC.

Main Methods:

  • Tumor cell lysate purification using two-step chromatography.
  • Mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis of purified fractions.
  • Peptide synthesis and T cell cytotoxic response assays.

Main Results:

  • One RP-HPLC fraction showed significant T cell recognition.
  • Six potential peptide antigens were identified via LC/MS/MS.
  • A peptide corresponding to human alpha-enolase (residues 321-336) elicited a strong cytotoxic response from TcOSC-20 cells.

Conclusions:

  • Squamous cell carcinoma cells process and present endogenous gene products on HLA class II molecules.
  • These presented antigens can serve as target molecules for autologous CD4+ T cells.
  • Human alpha-enolase is a potential CD4+ T cell target antigen in oral SCC.

More Related Videos

Detection of Human Leukocyte Antigen Biomarkers in Breast Cancer Utilizing Label-free Biosensor Technology08:27

Detection of Human Leukocyte Antigen Biomarkers in Breast Cancer Utilizing Label-free Biosensor Technology

Published on: March 24, 2015

Using X-ray Crystallography, Biophysics, and Functional Assays to Determine the Mechanisms Governing T-cell Receptor Recognition of Cancer Antigens09:53

Using X-ray Crystallography, Biophysics, and Functional Assays to Determine the Mechanisms Governing T-cell Receptor Recognition of Cancer Antigens

Published on: February 6, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity01:26

Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity

An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.