The selection of tumor variants with altered expression of classical and nonclassical MHC class I molecules: implications for tumor immune escape

Tumor immune escape variants can be identified in human and experimental tumors. A variety of different strategies are used by tumor cells to avoid recognition by different immune effector mechanisms. Among these escape routes, alteration of MHC class I cell surface expression is one of the mechanisms most widely used by tumor cells. In this review we focus our attention on the T-cell immune selection of MHC class I–deficient tumor variants. Different altered MHC class I phenotypes that originate from multiple molecular mechanisms can be identified in human tumors. MHC-deficient tumor clones can escape T-cell immune responses, but are in theory more susceptible to NK-cell–mediated lysis. In this context, we also review the controversial issue of the aberrant expression of nonclassical HLA class I molecules, particularly HLA-G, in tumors. This expression may be relevant in tumor cells that have lost the capacity to interact with NK inhibitory receptors—namely, those tumor cells with no HLA-B or HLA-C expression. Most published studies have not analyzed these possibilities and do not provide information about the complete HLA-A, HLA-B, or HLA-C molecule profiles of the tumors studied. In contrast, HLA-E has been reported to be expressed in some tumor cell lines with very low HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C expression, suggesting that HLA-E may indeed, in some cases, play a role by inhibiting NK lysis of cells that otherwise would be destroyed by NK cells. Finally, we provide evidence that the status of the immune system in the tumor-bearing animal is capable of defining the MHC profile of the tumor cells. In other words, MHC class I–negative metastatic colonies are produced in immunocompetent animals, and MHC class I–positive colonies in T-cell immunodeficient individuals.This article forms part of the Symposium in Writing Tumor escape from the immune response, published in Vol. 53.     

The crystal structure of CD8 in complex with YTS156.7.7 Fab and interaction with other CD8 antibodies define the binding mode of CD8 alphabeta to MHC class I

The CD8αβ heterodimer interacts with class I pMHC on antigen-presenting cells as a co-receptor for TCR-mediated activation of cytotoxic T cells. To characterize this immunologically important interaction, we used monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific to either CD8α or CD8β to probe the mechanism of CD8αβ binding to pMHCI. The YTS156.7 mAb inhibits this interaction and blocks T cell activation. To elucidate the molecular basis for this inhibition, the crystal structure of the CD8αβ immunoglobulin-like ectodomains were determined in complex with mAb YTS156.7 Fab at 2.7 Å resolution. The YTS156.7 epitope on CD8β was identified and implies that residues in the CDR1 and CDR2-equivalent loops of CD8β are occluded upon binding to class I pMHC. To further characterize the pMHCI/CD8αβ interaction, binding of class I tetramers to CD8αβ on the surface of T cells was assessed in the presence of anti-CD8 mAbs. In contrast to YTS156.7, mAb YTS105.18, which is specific for CD8α, does not inhibit binding of CD8αβ to class I tetramers, indicating the YTS105.18 epitope is not occluded in the pMHCI/CD8αβ complex. Together, these data indicate a model for the pMHCI/CD8αβ interaction similar to that observed for CD8αα in the CD8αα/pMHCI complex, but in which CD8α occupies the lower orientation (membrane proximal to the antigen presenting cell), and CD8β occupies the upper position (membrane distal). The implication of this molecular assembly for the function of CD8αβ in T cell activation is discussed.     

CD1d favors MHC neighborhood,GM1 ganglioside proximity and low detergent sensitive membrane regions on the surface of B lymphocytes

Background

Cluster of differentiation 1 (CD1) represents a family of proteins which is involved in lipid-based antigen presentation. Primarily, antigen presenting cells, like B cells, express CD1 proteins. Here, we examined the cell-surface distribution of CD1d, a subtype of CD1 receptors, on B lymphocytes.

Methods

Fluorescence labeling methods, including fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), were employed to investigate plasma membrane features of CD1d receptors.

Results

High FRET efficiency was observed between CD1d and MHC I heavy chain (MHC I-HC), β₂-microglobulin (β₂m) and MHC II proteins in the plasma membrane. In addition, overexpression of CD1d reduced the expression of MHC II and increased the expression of MHC I-HC and β₂m proteins on the cell-surface. Surprisingly, β₂m dependent CD1d isoform constituted only ~ 15% of the total membrane CD1d proteins. Treatment of B cells with methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) / simvastatin caused protein rearrangement; however, FRET demonstrated only minimal effect of these chemicals on the association between CD1d and GM₁ ganglioside on cell-surface. Likewise, a modest effect was only observed in a co-culture assay between MβCD/simvastatin treated C1R–CD1d cells and invariant natural killer T cells on measuring secreted cytokines (IFNγ and IL4). Furthermore, CD1d rich regions were highly sensitive to low concentration of Triton X-100. Physical proximity between CD1d, MHC and GM₁ molecules was also detected in the plasma membrane.

Conclusions

An intricate relationship between CD1d, MHC, and lipid species was found on the membrane of human B cells.

General significance

Organization of CD1d on the plasma membrane might be critical for its biological functions.