T cell responses against microsatellite instability-induced frameshift peptides and influence of regulatory T cells in colorectal cancer

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Kathrin Bauer - , Heidelberg University , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)
  • Nina Nelius - , Heidelberg University , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)
  • Miriam Reuschenbach - , Heidelberg University , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)
  • Moritz Koch - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Jürgen Weitz - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Gunnar Steinert - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Jürgen Kopitz - , Heidelberg University , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)
  • Philipp Beckhove - , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)
  • Mirjam Tariverdian - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Magnus Von Knebel Doeberitz - , Heidelberg University , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)
  • Matthias Kloor - , Heidelberg University , German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (Author)

Abstract

High-level microsatellite-unstable (MSI-H) colorectal carcinomas (CRC) represent a distinct subtype of tumors commonly characterized by dense infiltration with cytotoxic T cells, most likely due to expression of MSI-H-related frameshift peptides (FSP). The contribution of FSP and classical antigens like MUC1 and CEA to the cellular immune response against MSI-H CRC had not been analyzed so far. We analyzed tumor-infiltrating and peripheral T cells from MSI-H (n = 4 and n = 14, respectively) and microsatellite-stable (MSS) tumor patients (n = 26 and n = 17) using interferon gamma ELISpot assays. Responses against 4 FSP antigens and peptides derived from MUC1 to CEA were compared with and without depletion of regulatory T cells, and the results were related to the presence of the respective antigens in tumor tissue. Preexisting FSP-specific T cell responses were detected in all (4 out of 4) tumor-infiltrating and in the majority (10 out of 14) of peripheral T cell samples from MSI-H CRC patients, but rarely observed in MSS CRC patients. Preexisting T cell responses in MSI-H CRC patients were significantly more frequently directed against FSP tested in the present study than against peptides derived from classical antigens MUC1 or CEA (p = 0.049). Depletion of regulatory T cells increased the frequency of effector T cell responses specific for MUC1/CEA-derived peptides and, to a lesser extent, T cell responses specific for FSP. Our data suggest that the analyzed FSP may represent an immunologically relevant pool of antigens capable of eliciting antitumoral effector T cell responses.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)27-37
Number of pages11
JournalCancer Immunology, Immunotherapy
Volume62
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2013
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMed 22729559

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Colorectal cancer, Frameshift peptides, High-level microsatellite instability, Immune response, Regulatory T cells