Peptide-Specific Killing of Antigen-Presenting Cells by a Recombinant Antibody-Toxin Fusion Protein Targeted to Major Histocompatibility Complex/Peptide Class I Complexes with T Cell Receptor-Like Specificity
Abstract
Specificity in the immune system is dictated and regulated by specific recognition of peptide/major histocompatibility complex (MHC) complexes by the T cell receptor. Such peptide/MHC complexes are a desirable target for novel approaches in immunotherapy because of their highly restricted fine specificity. Recently, phage display was used to isolate an antibody that has T cell receptor-like specificity. It recognizes mouse MHC class I H-2Kk molecules complexed with a H-2Kk-restricted influenza virus-derived hemagglutinin peptide (Ha255-262) but does not bind to class I H-2Kk alone, peptide alone, or H-2Kk complexed with other peptides. We have used this antibody to make a recombinant antibody-toxin fusion protein (immunotoxin) and show herein that it specifically kills antigen-presenting cells in a peptide-dependent manner and with T cell receptor-like specificity. We find a striking correlation between the fine specificity of binding of the antibody and the cytotoxic activity of the recombinant immunotoxin. We also show specific killing of influenza virus-infected target cells. The results suggest that it should be possible to develop novel immunotherapeutic strategies against human cancer by making recombinant antibodies that will recognize cancer-related peptides complexed with MHC class I molecules on the surface of cancer cells and using these to deliver toxins, radioisotopes, or cytotoxic drugs to the cancer cells.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- April 1997
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.94.9.4631
- Bibcode:
- 1997PNAS...94.4631R