HLA class II-restricted recognition of common tumor epitopes on human melanoma cells by CD4+ melanoma-infiltrating lymphocytes

• Published in: European journal of immunology Vol. 25; no. 10; p. 2732
• Main Authors: Le Dréan, E, Gervois, N, Diez, E, Semana, G, Dreno, B, Jotereau, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.10.1995
• Subjects: Alleles; Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal - immunology; Antibodies, Monoclonal - pharmacology; Antigens, Neoplasm - immunology; Cattle; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - secretion; Clone Cells - immunology; Clone Cells - secretion; Genes, MHC Class II; HLA-D Antigens - genetics; HLA-D Antigens - immunology; Humans; Lymphocytes - immunology; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating - immunology; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating - secretion; Lymphotoxin-alpha - secretion; Melanoma - immunology
• ISSN: 0014-2980
• DOI: 10.1002/eji.1830251003

CD4+ T cell clones derived from lymphocytes infiltrating four human melanomas specifically recognized melanoma-derived tumor epitopes as shown by secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in vitro upon interaction with autologous melanoma cells, whereas they did not recognize HLA class II-expressing autologous lymphoblasts or HLA class II mismatched allogeneic melanoma cells. Specificity was further established by demonstrating that TNF responses to tumor cells were inhibited by HLA-DR or HLA-DQ monoclonal antibodies. Most of these clones cross-reacted with allogeneic melanoma cells expressing a potentially restricting HLA allele or a structurally similar one. These data show that shared epitopes of human melanoma cells presented on HLA class II molecules are frequently recognized by autologous CD4+ T lymphocytes.