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Published on: April 26, 2024
Human CD4(+) T cells recognize an epitope within alpha-fetoprotein sequence and develop into TGF-beta-producing
Akeel Alisa1, Sandra Boswell, Ansar A Pathan
1Department of Medicine, Institute of Hepatology, University College London, London, UK.
Tumor antigens like alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) can expand tumor-specific T cells that produce TGF-beta, promoting immune evasion. These regulatory T cells (Tregs) inhibit anti-tumor responses in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- T cell biology
Background:
- Limited understanding of tumor growth's impact on tumor-specific TGF-beta-producing CD4(+) T cells in humans.
- Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is an oncofetal antigen with known immunoregulatory properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify and characterize CD4(+) T cells recognizing AFP epitopes.
- Investigate the role of these cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
- Determine the functional properties and regulatory capacity of AFP-specific T cells.
Main Methods:
- Peptide stimulation assays using AFP(46-55) epitope.
- Cytokine profiling (TGF-beta, GM-CSF, IL-2, Th1/Th2/Th17/Tr1 cytokines).
- Phenotypic analysis (CTLA-4, Glucocorticoid-induced TNFR).
- T cell proliferation inhibition assays.
- Comparison of T cell frequencies in HCC patients versus healthy donors.
Main Results:
- Identified CD4(+) T cells recognizing AFP(46-55) epitope that produce TGF-beta, GM-CSF, and IL-2.
- These cells exhibit regulatory functions, inhibiting T cell proliferation in a contact-dependent manner.
- Significantly higher frequency of AFP(46-55) CD4(+) T cells observed in HCC patients compared to healthy donors.
- Tumor necrosis-inducing treatments shifted the T cell balance towards Th1 responses.
Conclusions:
- Tumor antigens can contain epitopes that activate inducible regulatory T cells (iTregs).
- Expansion of AFP-specific TGF-beta-producing CD4(+) T cells contributes to tumor immune evasion in HCC.
- Targeting these regulatory T cells may enhance anti-tumor immunity.
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