Abstract
T cell responsiveness to an epitope is affected both by its affinity for the presenting MHC molecule and the affinity of the MHC-peptide complex for TCR. One limitation of cancer immunotherapy is that natural tumor antigens elicit relatively weak T cell responses, in part because high-affinity T cells are rendered tolerant to these antigens. We report here that amino acid substitutions in a natural MHC class I-restricted tumor antigen that increase the stability of the MHC-peptide-TCR complex are significantly more potent as tumor vaccines. The improved immunity results from enhanced in vivo expansion of T cells specific for the natural tumor epitope. These results indicate peptides that stabilize the MHC-peptide-TCR complex may provide superior antitumor immunity through enhanced stimulation of specific T cells.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 529-538 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Immunity |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2000 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases