Endogenous retrovirus sequences as a novel class of tumor-specific antigens: an example of HERV-H env encoding strong CTL epitopes.

ABSTRACT: Our genome consists to about 8% of human endogenous retroviral (HERV) sequences. These HERVs have been discussed to be linked to human diseases for decades. Recently, a detailed analysis of a HERV-H sequence located on chromosome Xp22.3 revealed a strong expression in a subset of gastrointestinal cancers whereas expression in normal tissues and in other cancer entities was low. In the present study, we used the reverse immunology approach to test the immunological potential of this HERV-H ORF on Xp22.3. A total of ten peptides displaying HLA-A2.1-binding motifs were selected from the predicted env protein sequence. Stimulation of peripheral T cells with retroviral peptides (RVPs) presented by autologous antigen-presenting cells clearly resulted in sustained proliferation of predominantly C

SUBMITTER: Mullins CS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11029769 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature