OBJECTIVES: To identify the immunodominant T cell epitopes of the topoisomerase I protein in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and control subjects, using computational analysis software (TEPITOPE) and T cell proliferation assays. METHODS: Six oligopeptides, predicted by TEPITOPE software as potential topoisomerase protein epitopes, were used to perform T cell proliferation assays in 21 patients with SSc and 15 healthy controls. RESULTS: A positive response to at least one of the peptides was seen in 10/21 patients and 7/15 healthy controls. Among responders, the proliferative response was limited to a single peptide in 6/7 healthy controls, whereas 5/10 patients responded to more than one peptide. In responding patients a significant correlation was found between disease duration and number of peptides inducing a response (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Several T cell epitopes of the topoisomerase I protein have been identified and evidence has been found to suggest epitope spreading in patients with SSc.
OBJECTIVES: To identify the immunodominant T cell epitopes of the topoisomerase I protein in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and control subjects, using computational analysis software (TEPITOPE) and T cell proliferation assays. METHODS: Six oligopeptides, predicted by TEPITOPE software as potential topoisomerase protein epitopes, were used to perform T cell proliferation assays in 21 patients with SSc and 15 healthy controls. RESULTS: A positive response to at least one of the peptides was seen in 10/21 patients and 7/15 healthy controls. Among responders, the proliferative response was limited to a single peptide in 6/7 healthy controls, whereas 5/10 patients responded to more than one peptide. In responding patients a significant correlation was found between disease duration and number of peptides inducing a response (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Several T cell epitopes of the topoisomerase I protein have been identified and evidence has been found to suggest epitope spreading in patients with SSc.
Authors: T Sturniolo; E Bono; J Ding; L Raddrizzani; O Tuereci; U Sahin; M Braxenthaler; F Gallazzi; M P Protti; F Sinigaglia; J Hammer Journal: Nat Biotechnol Date: 1999-06 Impact factor: 54.908
Authors: G Valentini; A Baroni; K Esposito; C Naclerio; E Buommino; A Farzati; G Cuomo; B Farzati Journal: J Clin Immunol Date: 2001-05 Impact factor: 8.317
Authors: Eleni Tiniakou; Andrea Fava; Zsuzsanna H McMahan; Tara Guhr; Robert N O'Meally; Ami A Shah; Fredrick M Wigley; Robert N Cole; Francesco Boin; Erika Darrah Journal: Arthritis Rheumatol Date: 2020-06-26 Impact factor: 10.995
Authors: Vera Brinks; Daniel Weinbuch; Matthew Baker; Yann Dean; Philippe Stas; Stefan Kostense; Bonita Rup; Wim Jiskoot Journal: Pharm Res Date: 2013-05-07 Impact factor: 4.200