Antigen discovery and specification of immunodominance hierarchies for MHCII-restricted epitopes

Nat Med. 2018 Nov;24(11):1762-1772. doi: 10.1038/s41591-018-0203-7. Epub 2018 Oct 22.

Abstract

Identifying immunodominant T cell epitopes remains a significant challenge in the context of infectious disease, autoimmunity, and immuno-oncology. To address the challenge of antigen discovery, we developed a quantitative proteomic approach that enabled unbiased identification of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII)-associated peptide epitopes and biochemical features of antigenicity. On the basis of these data, we trained a deep neural network model for genome-scale predictions of immunodominant MHCII-restricted epitopes. We named this model bacteria originated T cell antigen (BOTA) predictor. In validation studies, BOTA accurately predicted novel CD4 T cell epitopes derived from the model pathogen Listeria monocytogenes and the commensal microorganism Muribaculum intestinale. To conclusively define immunodominant T cell epitopes predicted by BOTA, we developed a high-throughput approach to screen DNA-encoded peptide-MHCII libraries for functional recognition by T cell receptors identified from single-cell RNA sequencing. Collectively, these studies provide a framework for defining the immunodominance landscape across a broad range of immune pathologies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence / genetics
  • Antigen Presentation / genetics
  • Antigen Presentation / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / genetics
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / genetics*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunodominant Epitopes / genetics*
  • Immunodominant Epitopes / immunology
  • Listeria monocytogenes / genetics
  • Listeria monocytogenes / immunology
  • Listeria monocytogenes / pathogenicity
  • Proteomics*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology
  • Single-Cell Analysis

Substances

  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Immunodominant Epitopes
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell