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HLA-Ig Based Artificial Antigen Presenting Cells for Efficient ex vivo Expansion of Human CTL
Published on: April 11, 2011
Cathepsin A is expressed in primary human antigen-presenting cells
Michael Reich1, Klaus-Dieter Spindler, Michael Burret
1Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Center for Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
Immunology Letters
|December 4, 2009
Summary
Cathepsin A (CatA) is present in human antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and plays a role in processing T cell epitopes. This finding clarifies CatA
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Protease Function
Background:
- Cathepsins are crucial in antigen-presenting cells (APCs) for antigen processing.
- Cathepsin A (CatA), a serine carboxypeptidase, has been identified in various tissues.
- Its expression and role in primary human APCs remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of CatA in human APCs.
- To elucidate the function of CatA in antigen processing within APCs.
Main Methods:
- Demonstrated CatA expression in B lymphoblastoid cells (BLCs), primary human B cells, myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs), and plasmacytoid DCs.
- Utilized PMSF and lactacystin to inhibit serine proteases in BLC-derived lysosomal proteases.
- Assessed amino acid release from model peptides to determine CatA activity.
Main Results:
- Confirmed CatA expression across various human APC subsets.
- Inhibition of serine proteases led to reduced C-terminal amino acid release from specific peptides.
- This inhibitory effect was not observed with proline-rich peptides, indicating CatA's specificity.
Conclusions:
- Cathepsin A is expressed in primary human antigen-presenting cells.
- CatA contributes to the C-terminal processing of antigenic T cell epitopes in human APCs.
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