Inhibition of EBV-induced lymphoproliferation by CD4+ T cells specific for an MHC class II promiscuous epitope

Ryusuke Omiya, Chantal Buteau, Hiroya Kobayashi, Carlos V. Paya, Esteban Celis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) and B cell lymphomas induced by EBV continue to be a major life-threatening complication in transplant patients. The establishment and enhancement of T cell immunity to EBV before transplantation and immunosuppressive therapy could help diminish these complications, but the lack of an effective vaccine has limited this prophylactic approach. We describe here the identification of a peptide epitope from the EBV EBNA2 Ag that is capable of inducing in vitro CD4+ T cell responses that inhibit the EBV-mediated B lymphocyte proliferation associated with PTLD. Most significantly, T cell responses to the EBNA2 epitope were found to be restricted by numerous MHC class II alleles (DR1, DR7, DR16, DR52, DQ2, and DQ7), indicating that this peptide is highly promiscuous and would be recognized by a large proportion (>50%) of the general population. These results are relevant for the design of a simple, inexpensive and widely applicable peptide-based vaccine to prevent PTLD in solid, organ transplant patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2172-2179
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume169
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 15 2002
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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