A novel cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope analogue with enhanced activity derived from cyclooxygenase-2.

Cyclooxygenase-2 is a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we designed the analogues p321-9L and p321-1Y9L (YLIGETIKL) from cyclooxygenase-2-derived native peptide p321. Then, we tested the binding affinity and stability of the analogues and their ability to elicit specific immune response both in vitro (from PBMCs of HLA-A*02⁺ healthy donors) and in vivo (from HLA-A2.1/K(b) transgenic mice). Our results indicated that the activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes induced by p321-9L and p321-1Y9L was more potent than that of p321. In conclusion, the epitope analogue, especially p321-1Y9L, may be a good candidate which could be used to the immunotherapy of patients with tumours expressing cyclooxygenase-2.

[Associations between adverse childhood experiences and adulthood substance use among lesbians].

Objective: To investigate the associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and substance use behaviors among lesbians to provide a scientific basis for high-risk population identification and formulation of targeted intervention measures. Methods: Lesbians who participated in routine AIDS voluntary counseling, testing services, activities, and peer recommendations were recruited from July to December 2018, with the help of LesPark in Beijing. Convenient sampling method was used. Demographic characteristics, ACE, and substance use behaviors of subjects were investigated using an online platform powered by www.wjx.cn. Subsequently, the associations between ACE and adulthood substance use behaviors were evaluated using the logistic regression model. The SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 294 lesbians were recruited in the study, 81.3% (239/294) of them were lesbians, and 18.7% (55/294) were bisexuals. Besides, 55.8% (164/294) of subjects reported they had had ACE, with proportions of lesbians experiencing abuse, neglect, and family dysfunction as 33.3% (98/294), 24.5% (72/294), and 32.7% (96/294), respectively. 55.1% (162/294) of the lesbians reported they had smoked in the past 30 days, 11.2% (33/294) reported having drug-use behavior in the past three months, and 22.8% (67/294) claimed drinking alcohol weekly. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lesbians with ACE were at high risks to smoke (OR=1.87, 95%CI: 1.13-3.08), drink (OR=2.13, 95%CI: 1.18-3.84), and use drugs (OR=3.33, 95%CI: 1.29-8.61) in adulthood. Moreover, lesbians with childhood family dysfunction were at higher risk of smoking cigarettes (OR=2.60, 95%CI: 1.46-4.62) and drinking alcohol (OR=2.65, 95%CI: 1.44-4.87). At the same time, those with abuse experience were at higher risk of drug use (OR=3.17, 95%CI: 1.26-7.96). Conclusions: Substance use behaviors, including cigarette smoking, drinking alcohol, and drugs use, were common among lesbians. Positive associations were found between ACE and adulthood substance use behaviors.

Identification of a novel CD8+ T cell epitope derived from cancer-testis antigen MAGE-4 in oesophageal carcinoma.

MAGE-4 is considered as an attractive cancer-testis (CT) antigen for tumour immunotherapy, and it is overexpressed in oesophageal carcinoma (EC). To identify MAGE-4-derived HLA-A2 restricted epitopes, native peptides and their analogues were predicted with prediction programs. The native peptide, p286 (KVLEHVVRV), and its analogues, p286-1Y2L and p286-1Y2L9L, showed potent binding affinity and stability towards HLA-A*0201 molecule. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) induced by p286-1Y2L9L could release IFN-γ in ELISPOT assay. In cytotoxicity assay, p286-1Y2L9L showed the capability to induce specific CTLs which could lyse the target cancer cells from both PBMCs of healthy donors and HLA-A2.1/K(b) transgenic mice. Our results indicated that the peptide p286-1Y2L9L could serve as a novel candidate epitope to develop peptide vaccines against oesophageal carcinoma.