The Transporter Associated With Antigen Processing: Function and Implications in Human Diseases

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brigitte Lankat-Buttgereit ◽  
Robert Tampé

The adaptive immune systems have evolved to protect the organism against pathogens encountering the host. Extracellular occurring viruses or bacteria are mainly bound by antibodies from the humoral branch of the immune response, whereas infected or malignant cells are identified and eliminated by the cellular immune system. To enable the recognition, proteins are cleaved into peptides in the cytosol and are presented on the cell surface by class I molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The transport of the antigenic peptides into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and loading onto the MHC class I molecules is an essential process for the presentation to cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The delivery of these peptides is performed by the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP). TAP is a heterodimer of TAP1 and TAP2, each subunit containing transmembrane domains and an ATP-binding motif. Sequence homology analysis revealed that TAP belongs to the superfamily of ATP-binding cassette transporters. Loss of TAP function leads to a loss of cell surface expression of MHC class I molecules. This may be a strategy for tumors and virus-infected cells to escape immune surveillance. Structure and function of the TAP complex as well as the implications of loss or downregulation of TAP is the topic of this review.

2001 ◽  
Vol 75 (12) ◽  
pp. 5663-5671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Momburg ◽  
Arno Müllbacher ◽  
Mario Lobigs

ABSTRACT In contrast to many other viruses that escape the cellular immune response by downregulating major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, flavivirus infection can upregulate their cell surface expression. Previously we have presented evidence that during flavivirus infection, peptide supply to the endoplasmic reticulum is increased (A. Müllbacher and M. Lobigs, Immunity 3:207–214, 1995). Here we show that during the early phase of infection with different flaviviruses, the transport activity of the peptide transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) is augmented by up to 50%. TAP expression is unaltered during infection, and viral but not host macromolecular synthesis is required for enhanced peptide transport. This study is the first demonstration of transient enhancement of TAP-dependent peptide import into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum as a consequence of a viral infection. We suggest that the increased supply of peptides for assembly with MHC class I molecules in flavivirus-infected cells accounts for the upregulation of MHC class I cell surface expression with the biological consequence of viral evasion of natural killer cell recognition.


2020 ◽  
Vol 295 (20) ◽  
pp. 6983-6991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoko Shima ◽  
Daisuke Morita ◽  
Tatsuaki Mizutani ◽  
Naoki Mori ◽  
Bunzo Mikami ◽  
...  

Newly synthesized major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I proteins are stabilized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by binding 8–10-mer-long self-peptide antigens that are provided by transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP). These MHC class I:peptide complexes then exit the ER and reach the plasma membrane, serving to sustain the steady-state MHC class I expression on the cell surface. A novel subset of MHC class I molecules that preferentially bind lipid-containing ligands rather than conventional peptides was recently identified. The primate classical MHC class I allomorphs, Mamu-B*098 and Mamu-B*05104, are capable of binding the N-myristoylated 5-mer (C14-Gly-Gly-Ala-Ile-Ser) or 4-mer (C14-Gly-Gly-Ala-Ile) lipopeptides derived from the N-myristoylated SIV Nef protein, respectively, and of activating lipopeptide antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. We herein demonstrate that Mamu-B*098 samples lysophosphatidylethanolamine and lysophosphatidylcholine containing up to a C20 fatty acid in the ER. The X-ray crystal structures of Mamu-B*098 and Mamu-B*05104 complexed with lysophospholipids at high resolution revealed that the B and D pockets in the antigen-binding grooves of these MHC class I molecules accommodate these lipids through a monoacylglycerol moiety. Consistent with the capacity to bind cellular lipid ligands, these two MHC class I molecules did not require TAP function for cell-surface expression. Collectively, these results indicate that peptide- and lipopeptide-presenting MHC class I subsets use distinct sources of endogenous ligands.


2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (21) ◽  
pp. 11644-11650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith D. Tardif ◽  
Aleem Siddiqui

ABSTRACT The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes chronic hepatitis in most infected individuals by evading host immune defenses. In this investigation, we show that HCV-infected cells may go undetected in the immune system by suppressing major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen presentation to cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Cells expressing HCV subgenomic replicons have lower MHC class I cell surface expression. This is due to reduced levels of properly folded MHC class I molecules. HCV replicons induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (K. Tardif, K. Mori, and A. Siddiqui, J. Virol. 76:7453-7459, 2002), which results from a decline in protein glycosylation. Decreasing protein glycosylation can disrupt protein folding, preventing the assembly of MHC class I molecules. This results in the accumulation of unfolded MHC class I. Therefore, the persistence and pathogenesis of HCV may depend upon the ER stress-mediated interference of MHC class I assembly and cell surface expression.


1990 ◽  
Vol 172 (6) ◽  
pp. 1653-1664 ◽  
Author(s):  
W A Jefferies ◽  
H G Burgert

We have previously expressed in transgenic mice a chimeric H-2Kd/Kk protein called C31, which contains the extracellular alpha 1 domain of Kd, whereas the rest of the molecule is of Kk origin. This molecule functions as a restriction element for alloreactive and influenza A-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) but is only weakly expressed at the cell surface of splenocytes. Here, we show that the low cell surface expression is the result of slow intracellular transport and processing of the C31 protein. A set of hybrid molecules between Kd and Kk were used to localize the regions in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules that are important for their intracellular transport and to further localize the structures responsible for binding to the adenovirus 2 E3/19K protein. This protein appears to be an important mediator of adenovirus persistence. It acts by binding to the immaturely glycosylated forms of MHC class I proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), preventing their passage to the cell surface and thereby reducing the recognition of infected cells by virus-specific T cells. We find the surprising result that intracellular transport and E3/19K binding are controlled primarily by the first half of the second domain of Kd, thus localizing these phenomena to the five polymorphic residues in this region of the Kd protein. This result implies that the E3/19K protein may act by inhibiting peptide binding or by disrupting the oligomerization of MHC class I molecules required for transport out of the ER. Alternatively, the E3/19K protein may inhibit the function of a positively acting transport molecule necessary for cell surface expression of MHC class I molecules.


1992 ◽  
Vol 175 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Esquivel ◽  
J Yewdell ◽  
J Bennink

RMA/S is a mutant cell line with decreased cell surface expression of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules that has been reported to be deficient in presenting endogenously synthesized influenza virus nucleoprotein (NP) to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). In the present study we show that RMA/S cells can present vesicular stomatitis virus nucleocapsid protein, and, under some conditions, NP, to Kb-and Db-restricted CTL, respectively. Antigen presentation results from processing of cytosolic pools of endogenously synthesized proteins, and not the binding to cell surface class I molecules of antigenic peptides present in the virus inoculum or released from infected cells. Antigen processing of RMA/S differs, however, from processing by wild-type cells in requiring greater amounts of antigen, longer times to assemble or transport class I-peptide complexes, and in being more sensitive to blocking by anti-CD8 antibody. Thus, the antigen processing deficit in RMA/S cells is of a partial rather than absolute nature.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (3) ◽  
pp. 971-977 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sérgio F. de Almeida ◽  
Isabel F. Carvalho ◽  
Carla S. Cardoso ◽  
João V. Cordeiro ◽  
Jorge E. Azevedo ◽  
...  

AbstractHFE is a protein known to be involved in iron metabolism; yet, other than its homology with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, it has not been described as having an immunologic function. Here we report that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) carrying the C282Y mutation in HFE have reduced cell-surface expression of MHC class I due to an enhanced endocytosis rate of MHC class I molecules caused by premature peptide and β2-microglobulin dissociation. This faster turnover also leads to increased expression levels of cell-surface free class I heavy chains in mutant PBMCs. Biochemical analysis indicates an earlier peptide loading and endoplasmic reticulum maturation of MHC class I molecules in C282Y mutant cells. Thermostability assays further showed that in HFE mutants the MHC class I peptide loading gives rise to low-stability heterotrimers that dissociate prematurely during its intracellular traffic. The present results suggest the existence of an intriguing cross-talk between a particular HFE mutation and the classical MHC class I route. These findings constitute the first description of peptide presentation pathway abnormalities linked to HFE and provide additional evidence for the occurrence of immunologic defects in patients with HH.


2009 ◽  
Vol 390 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Schölz ◽  
Robert Tampé

Abstract A large and dynamic membrane-associated machinery orchestrates the translocation of antigenic peptides into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen for subsequent loading onto major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. The peptide-loading complex ensures that only high-affinity peptides, which guarantee long-term stability of MHC I complexes, are presented to T-lymphocytes. Adaptive immunity is dependent on surface display of the cellular proteome in the form of protein fragments, thus allowing efficient recognition of infected or malignant transformed cells. In this review, we summarize recent findings of antigen translocation by the transporter associated with antigen processing and loading of MHC class I molecules in the ER, focusing on the mechanisms involved in this process.


2008 ◽  
Vol 82 (15) ◽  
pp. 7666-7676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oren Hershkovitz ◽  
Alon Zilka ◽  
Ahuva Bar-Ilan ◽  
Shai Abutbul ◽  
Andrew Davidson ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Many viruses escape the cellular immune response by downregulating cell surface expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. However, infection of cells with flaviviruses can upregulate the expression of these molecules. In this study we analyzed the expression of MHC class I in K562 and THP-1 human cell lines that were stably transfected with self-replicating subgenomic dengue virus RNA (replicons) and express all the dengue virus nonstructural proteins together. We show that MHC class I expression is upregulated in the dengue virus replicon-expressing cells and that the binding of natural killer (NK) inhibitory receptors to these cells is augmented. This upregulation results in reduced susceptibility of the dengue virus replicon-expressing cells to NK lysis, indicating a possible mechanism for evasion of the dengue virus from NK cell recognition. Visualizing MHC class I expression in replicon-containing K562 and THP-1 cells by confocal microscopy demonstrated aggregation of MHC class I molecules on the cell surface. Finally, replicon-expressing K562 cells manifested increased TAP (transporter associated with antigen processing) and LMP (low-molecular-mass protein) gene transcription, while replicon-expressing THP-1 cells manifested increased NF-κB activity and MHC class I transcription. We suggest that expression of dengue virus nonstructural proteins is sufficient to induce MHC class I upregulation through both TAP-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Additionally, aggregation of MHC class I molecules on the cell membrane also contributes to significantly higher binding of low-affinity NK inhibitory receptors, resulting in lower sensitivity to lysis by NK cells.


eLife ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul E Chappell ◽  
El Kahina Meziane ◽  
Michael Harrison ◽  
Łukasz Magiera ◽  
Clemens Hermann ◽  
...  

Highly polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules are at the heart of adaptive immune responses, playing crucial roles in many kinds of disease and in vaccination. We report that breadth of peptide presentation and level of cell surface expression of class I molecules are inversely correlated in both chickens and humans. This relationship correlates with protective responses against infectious pathogens including Marek's disease virus leading to lethal tumours in chickens and human immunodeficiency virus infection progressing to AIDS in humans. We propose that differences in peptide binding repertoire define two groups of MHC class I molecules strategically evolved as generalists and specialists for different modes of pathogen resistance. We suggest that differences in cell surface expression level ensure the development of optimal peripheral T cell responses. The inverse relationship of peptide repertoire and expression is evidently a fundamental property of MHC molecules, with ramifications extending beyond immunology and medicine to evolutionary biology and conservation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1964
Author(s):  
Akhil Shukla ◽  
Maryse Cloutier ◽  
Madanraj Appiya Santharam ◽  
Sheela Ramanathan ◽  
Subburaj Ilangumaran

The immune system constantly monitors the emergence of cancerous cells and eliminates them. CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which kill tumor cells and provide antitumor immunity, select their targets by recognizing tumor antigenic peptides presented by MHC class-I (MHC-I) molecules. Cancer cells circumvent immune surveillance using diverse strategies. A key mechanism of cancer immune evasion is downregulation of MHC-I and key proteins of the antigen processing and presentation machinery (APM). Even though impaired MHC-I expression in cancers is well-known, reversing the MHC-I defects remains the least advanced area of tumor immunology. The discoveries that NLRC5 is the key transcriptional activator of MHC-I and APM genes, and genetic lesions and epigenetic modifications of NLRC5 are the most common cause of MHC-I defects in cancers, have raised the hopes for restoring MHC-I expression. Here, we provide an overview of cancer immunity mediated by CD8+ T cells and the functions of NLRC5 in MHC-I antigen presentation pathways. We describe the impressive advances made in understanding the regulation of NLRC5 expression, the data supporting the antitumor functions of NLRC5 and a few reports that argue for a pro-tumorigenic role. Finally, we explore the possible avenues of exploiting NLRC5 for cancer immunotherapy.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document