Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

A large proportion of melanoma patients host a spontaneous T-cell response specifically against ML-IAP-derived peptides. In this study, we describe that some ML-IAP-specific cytotoxic T cells isolated from melanoma patients cross react with an epitope from the auto-antigen SS56. SS56 is a recently described target of autoantibody responses in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) as well as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here, we describe that SS56 is also an auto-antigen for T cells in SS and SLE. Hence, SS56-specific T cells could readily be detected in circulation and among the infiltrating cells of SLE skin lesions. SS56-specific T cells were able to lyse target cells presenting the peptide epitope on the surface. Notably, SS56-specific CD8 T cells isolated from an SS patient cross reacted with the ML-IAP epitope. This early evidence of a target for auto-reactive CTL in SS and SLE patients; it is to our knowledge previously unreported and underscores the important role of CD8 T cells in autoimmune disorders. Furthermore, the cross-reactivity against the auto-antigen SS56 and the tumor-antigen ML-IAP confirms the link between autoimmunity and anti-cancer cellular immune responses.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/jid.2009.10

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Invest Dermatol

Publication Date

08/2009

Volume

129

Pages

1992 - 1999

Keywords

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing, Autoantigens, Cross Reactions, Epitopes, Flow Cytometry, Humans, Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins, Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic, Neoplasm Proteins, Peptide Fragments, Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, Sjogren's Syndrome, T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic, Tripartite Motif Proteins, Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases