HLA-B7-restricted islet epitopes are differentially recognized in type 1 diabetic children and adults and form weak peptide-HLA complexes

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Matthieu Scotto
  • Georgia Afonso
  • Østerbye, Thomas
  • Etienne Larger
  • Sandrine Luce
  • Cécile Raverdy
  • Giulia Novelli
  • Graziella Bruno
  • Céline Gonfroy-Leymarie
  • Odile Launay
  • François A Lemonnier
  • Buus, Søren
  • Jean-Claude Carel
  • Christian Boitard
  • Roberto Mallone
The cartography of β-cell epitopes targeted by CD8(+) T cells in type 1 diabetic (T1D) patients remains largely confined to the common HLA-A2 restriction. We aimed to identify β-cell epitopes restricted by the HLA-B7 (B*07:02) molecule, which is associated with mild T1D protection. Using DNA immunization on HLA-B7-transgenic mice and prediction algorithms, we identified GAD and preproinsulin candidate epitopes. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunospot assays on peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed that most candidates were recognized by new-onset T1D patients, but not by type 2 diabetic and healthy subjects. Some epitopes were highly immunodominant and specific to either T1D children (GAD(530-538); 44% T cell-positive patients) or adults (GAD(311-320); 38%). All epitopes displayed weak binding affinity and stability for HLA-B7 compared with HLA-A2-restricted ones, a general feature of HLA-B7. Single-cell PCR analysis on β-cell-specific (HLA-B7 tetramer-positive) T cells revealed uniform IFN-γ and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) mRNA expression, different from HLA-A2-restricted T cells. We conclude that HLA-B7-restricted islet epitopes display weak HLA-binding profiles, are different in T1D children and adults, and are recognized by IFN-γ(+)TGF-β(+)CD8(+) T cells. These features may explain the T1D-protective effect of HLA-B7. The novel epitopes identified should find valuable applications for immune staging of HLA-B7(+) individuals.
Original languageEnglish
JournalDiabetes
Volume61
Issue number10
Pages (from-to)2546-2555
Number of pages10
ISSN0046-0192
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2012

    Research areas

  • Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Animals, CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Child, Child, Preschool, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1, Epitopes, Female, HLA-B7 Antigen, Humans, Insulin-Secreting Cells, Interferon-gamma, Leukocytes, Mononuclear, Male, Mice, Middle Aged, Transforming Growth Factor beta

ID: 49595784