Dominance of a Single Peptide Bound to the Class IB Molecule, Qa-1b

Amy DeCloux, Amina S. Woods, Robert J. Cotter, Mark J. Soloski, James Forman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

87 Scopus citations

Abstract

One of the hallmarks of class IA molecules is their ability to bind and present a wide array of peptides to CD8 T cells. This diversity is consistent with their ability to restrict a variety of pathogenic peptide epitopes as well as elicit strong transplantation responses. In contrast, class IB molecules appear to be involved in presentation of pathogenic epitopes to a relatively lesser extent as well as play a minor role in transplantation responses. Here we have examined the peptides bound and presented by the class IB molecule Qa-1b in order to determine if their diversity was similar to that reported for class IA Ags. First, we show that bulk-cultured anti-Qa-1b CTL predominantly recognize a single peptide (Qdm) derived from the leader segment of class IA alloantigens. These CTL are peptide specific and reflect the activity of previously described CTL clones. Second, we find approximately 4.6 × 104 copies of the Qdm peptide/cell. Most of the peptide is Qa-1b associated since the recovery of this peptide from anti-Qa-1b immunoprecipitates is ∼75% of that seen in whole cell extracts and no detectable activity is observed in Kb or Db extracts from H-2b lymphoblasts. Third, the expression of Qa-1b on lymphoblasts is ∼1 to 1.25 × 104 molecules/cell indicating that the Qdm peptide must be derived from both cell membrane and intracellular compartments. Finally, examination of the diversity of peptides associated with Qa-1b as determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry indicates few detectable peptide species associated with this molecule. Taken together, Qa-1b appears to predominantly bind a single peptide species that is recognized by alloreactive CD8 T cells. This feature may account, in part, for the class IB properties of this molecule.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2183-2191
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume158
Issue number5
StatePublished - Mar 1 1997

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dominance of a Single Peptide Bound to the Class IB Molecule, Qa-1b'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this