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  • Research Article
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Peptide mimics of a tumor antigen induce functional cytotoxic T cells

Nature Biotechnology volume 16, pages 276–280 (1998)Cite this article

Abstract

The ability to mimic peptide/peptide and/or peptide/carbohydrate structures may be important in generating cross-reactive antibodies for autoimmune and other diseases. We show that the peptide sequence DAHWESWL can mimic the conformation of the unrelated MUC1 peptide SAPDTRPAP(G). Mice immunized with mannan-MUC1-peptides make cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and are protected from MUC1+ tumors. We show that the same specific anti-MUCI responses can be produced by immunizing with the DAHWESWL peptide; furthermore, specific tumor protection is obtained in a manner similar to that with MUC1 immunization. The DAHWESWL peptide immunization leads to CTLs that recognize H2Dd and H2Ld but not H2b or human leukocyte antigens–group A (HLA-A)*0201 presented MUC1 peptides. However, mutation of the DAHWESWL peptide to a more HLA-A*0201–compatible structure with appropriate anchors (DLHWASWV), leads to the production of CTLs in HLA-A*0201 mice.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Austin Research Institute, Studley Rd., Heidelberg, 3084, Victoria, Australia

    Vasso Apostolopoulos, Shari A. Lofthouse, Violeta Popovski, Mauro S. Sandrin & lan F.C. McKenzie

  2. John Curtin School of Medical Research, Department of Human Genetics, PO Box 334, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

    Gareth Chelvanayagam

Authors
  1. Vasso Apostolopoulos
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  2. Shari A. Lofthouse
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  5. Mauro S. Sandrin
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  6. lan F.C. McKenzie
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Correspondence to lan F.C. McKenzie.

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Apostolopoulos, V., Lofthouse, S., Popovski, V. et al. Peptide mimics of a tumor antigen induce functional cytotoxic T cells. Nat Biotechnol 16, 276–280 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0398-276

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