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Analysis of antigens recognized on human melanoma cells by A2‐restricted cytolytic t lymphocytes (CTL)
Author(s) -
Wölfel T.,
Hauer M.,
Klehmann E.,
Brichard V.,
Ackermann B.,
Knuth A.,
Boon T.,
Zum büschenfelde K. H. Meyer
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.2910550212
Subject(s) - ctl* , clone (java method) , antigen , human leukocyte antigen , immunology , melanoma , biology , cytolysis , immunotherapy , cytotoxic t cell , virology , cancer research , immune system , genetics , cd8 , in vitro , gene
We have pursued our analysis of potential tumor‐rejection antigens recognized on human melanoma by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL). We reported previously that 3 distinct antigens (A,B,C) were recognized on melanoma cell line SK29‐MEL in association with HLA‐A2. Selection for melanoma‐cell variants resistant to anti‐A CTL revealed that antigen A consists of at least 2 determinants (Aa, Ab) which can be lost separately. Genetic linkage between Aa and Ab was suggested by concomitant loss of Aa and Ab in an immunoselected tumor‐cell variant. This variant was also resistant to an autologous CTL clone restricted by HLA‐B45, indicating that this CTL may also recognize a determinant of antigen A. Of 11 allogeneic HLA‐A2 melanoma cell lines that were tested, 5 expressed both Aa and Ab, I expressed only Aa, and I only Ab. None of them was lysed by anti‐B or anti‐C CTL clones. A CTL clone derived from another HLA‐A2‐melanoma patient was found to have exactly the same lytic pattern as the anti‐Ab CTL of the first patient. This suggested that it may be possible to elicit an anti‐Ab response in many HLA‐A2 patients. We conclude that there are at least 2 distinct antigens presented in association with HLA‐A2 that are common to many melanomas and therefore constitute promising targets for specific immunotherapy.