Targeting phosphorylated p53 to elicit tumor-reactive T helper responses against head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: The human T cell receptor is capable of distinguishing between normal and post-translationally modified peptides. Because aberrant phosphorylation of cellular proteins is a hallmark of malignant transformation, the expression of the phosphorylated epitope could be an ideal antigen to combat cancer without damaging normal tissues. p53 activates transcription factors to suppress tumors by upregulating growth arrest and apoptosis-related genes. In response to DNA damage, p53 is phosphorylated at multiple sites including Ser33 and Ser37. Here, we identified phosphorylated peptide epitopes from p53 that could elicit effective T helper responses. These epitope peptides, p53_{22-41/Phospho-S33} and p53_{22-41/Phospho-S37}, induced T helper responses against tumor cells expressing

SUBMITTER: Ohara K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6259824 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature