CD4+ T cell-mediated recognition of a conserved cholesterol-dependent cytolysin epitope generates broad antibacterial immunity.

CD4+ T cell-mediated immunity against Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) can protect against recurrent bacterial colonization and invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPDs). Although such immune responses are common, the pertinent antigens have remained elusive. We identified an immunodominant CD4+ T cell epitope derived from pneumolysin (Ply), a member of the bacterial cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs). This epitope was broadly immunogenic as a consequence of presentation by the pervasive human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allotypes DPB1∗02 and DPB1∗04 and recognition via architecturally diverse T cell receptors (TCRs). Moreover, the immunogenicity of Ply427-444 was underpinned by core residues in the conserved undecapeptide region (ECTGLAWEWWR), enabling cross-recognition of heterologous bacterial pathogens expressing CDCs. Molecular studies further showed that HLA-DP4-Ply427-441 was engaged similarly by private and public TCRs. Collectively, these findings reveal the mechanistic determinants of near-global immune focusing on a trans-phyla bacterial epitope, which could inform ancillary strategies to combat various life-threatening infectious diseases, including IPDs.

Germline bias dictates cross-serotype reactivity in a common dengue-virus-specific CD8+ T cell response.

Adaptive immune responses protect against infection with dengue virus (DENV), yet cross-reactivity with distinct serotypes can precipitate life-threatening clinical disease. We found that clonotypes expressing the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) ß-chain variable region 11 (TRBV11-2) were 'preferentially' activated and mobilized within immunodominant human-leukocyte-antigen-(HLA)-A*11:01-restricted CD8+ T cell populations specific for variants of the nonstructural protein epitope NS3133 that characterize the serotypes DENV1, DENV3 and DENV4. In contrast, the NS3133-DENV2-specific repertoire was largely devoid of such TCRs. Structural analysis of a representative TRBV11-2+ TCR demonstrated that cross-serotype reactivity was governed by unique interplay between the variable antigenic determinant and germline-encoded residues in the second ß-chain complementarity-determining region (CDR2ß). Extensive mutagenesis studies of three distinct TRBV11-2+ TCRs further confirmed that antigen recognition was dependent on key contacts between the serotype-defined peptide and discrete residues in the CDR2ß loop. Collectively, these data reveal an innate-like mode of epitope recognition with potential implications for the outcome of sequential exposure to heterologous DENVs.

A T Cell Receptor Locus Harbors a Malaria-Specific Immune Response Gene.

Immune response (Ir) genes, originally proposed by Baruj Benacerraf to explain differential antigen-specific responses in animal models, have become synonymous with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). We discovered a non-MHC-linked Ir gene in a T cell receptor (TCR) locus that was required for CD8+ T cell responses to the Plasmodium berghei GAP5040-48 epitope in mice expressing the MHC class I allele H-2Db. GAP5040-48-specific CD8+ T cell responses emerged from a very large pool of naive Vß8.1+ precursors, which dictated susceptibility to cerebral malaria and conferred protection against recombinant Listeria monocytogenes infection. Structural analysis of a prototypical Vß8.1+ TCR-H-2Db-GAP5040-48 ternary complex revealed that germline-encoded complementarity-determining region 1ß residues present exclusively in the Vß8.1 segment mediated essential interactions with the GAP5040-48 peptide. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that Vß8.1 functioned as an Ir gene that was indispensable for immune reactivity against the malaria GAP5040-48 epitope.

Reversed T Cell Receptor Docking on a Major Histocompatibility Class I Complex Limits Involvement in the Immune Response.

The anti-viral T cell response is drawn from the naive T cell repertoire. During influenza infection, the CD8+ T cell response to an H-2Db-restricted nucleoprotein epitope (NP366) is characterized by preferential expansion of T cells bearing TRBV13+ T cell receptors (TCRs) and avoidance of TRBV17+ T cells, despite the latter dominating the naive precursor repertoire. We found two TRBV17+ TCRs that bound H-2Db-NP366 with a 180° reversed polarity compared to the canonical TCR-pMHC-I docking. The TRBV17 ß-chain dominated the interaction and, whereas the complementarity determining region-3 (CDR3) loops exclusively mediated contacts with the MHC-I, peptide specificity was attributable to germline-encoded recognition. Nevertheless, the TRBV17+ TCR exhibited moderate affinity toward H-2Db-NP366 and was capable of signal transduction. Thus, the naive CD8+ T cell pool can comprise TCRs adopting reversed pMHC-I docking modes that limit their involvement in the immune response.

Structural basis of T cell receptor specificity and cross-reactivity of two HLA-DQ2.5-restricted gluten epitopes in celiac disease.

Celiac disease is a T cell-mediated chronic inflammatory condition often characterized by human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ2.5 molecules presenting gluten epitopes derived from wheat, barley, and rye. Although some T cells exhibit cross-reactivity toward distinct gluten epitopes, the structural basis underpinning such cross-reactivity is unclear. Here, we investigated the T-cell receptor specificity and cross-reactivity of two immunodominant wheat gluten epitopes, DQ2.5-glia-α1a (PFPQPELPY) and DQ2.5-glia-ω1 (PFPQPEQPF). We show by surface plasmon resonance that a T-cell receptor alpha variable (TRAV) 4+-T-cell receptor beta variable (TRBV) 29-1+ TCR bound to HLA-DQ2.5-glia-α1a and HLA-DQ2.5-glia-ω1 with similar affinity, whereas a TRAV4- (TRAV9-2+) TCR recognized HLA-DQ2.5-glia-ω1 only. We further determined the crystal structures of the TRAV4+-TRBV29-1+ TCR bound to HLA-DQ2.5-glia-α1a and HLA-DQ2.5-glia-ω1, as well as the structure of an epitope-specific TRAV9-2+-TRBV7-3+ TCR-HLA-DQ2.5-glia-ω1 complex. We found that position 7 (p7) of the DQ2.5-glia-α1a and DQ2.5-glia-ω1 epitopes made very limited contacts with the TRAV4+ TCR, thereby explaining the TCR cross-reactivity across these two epitopes. In contrast, within the TRAV9-2+ TCR-HLA-DQ2.5-glia-ω1 ternary complex, the p7-Gln was situated in an electrostatic pocket formed by the hypervariable CDR3ß loop of the TCR and Arg70ß from HLA-DQ2.5, a polar network which would not be supported by the p7-Leu residue of DQ2.5-glia-α1a. In conclusion, we provide additional insights into the molecular determinants of TCR specificity and cross-reactivity to two closely-related epitopes in celiac disease.

A Shared TCR Bias toward an Immunogenic EBV Epitope Dominates in HLA-B*07:02-Expressing Individuals.

EBV is one of the most common viruses found in humans and is prototypic of a persistent viral infection characterized by periods of latency. Across many HLA class I molecules, the latent-specific CD8+ T cell response is focused on epitopes derived from the EBNA-3 protein family. In the case of HLA-B*07:02 restriction, a highly frequent class I allele, the T cell response is dominated by an epitope spanning residues 379-387 of EBNA-3 (RPPIFIRRL [EBVRPP]). However, little is known about either the TCR repertoire specific for this epitope or the molecular basis for this observed immunodominance. The EBVRPP CD8+ T cell response was common among both EBV-seropositive HLA-B*07:02+ healthy and immunocompromised individuals. Similar TCRs were identified in EBVRPP-specific CD8+ T cell repertoires across multiple HLA-B7+ individuals, indicating a shared Ag-driven bias in TCR usage. In particular, TRBV4-1 and TRAV38 usage was observed in five out of six individuals studied. In this study, we report the crystal structure of a TRBV4-1+ TCR-HLA-B*07:02/EBVRPP complex, which provides a molecular basis for the observed TRBV4-1 bias. These findings enhance our understanding of the CD8+ T cell response toward a common EBV determinant in HLA-B*07:02+ individuals.

Overlapping Peptides Elicit Distinct CD8+ T Cell Responses following Influenza A Virus Infection.

The presentation of pathogen-derived peptides on MHC class I molecules is essential for the initiation of adaptive CD8+ T cell immunity, which in turn is critical for effective control of many significant human infections. The identification of immunogenic pathogen-derived epitopes and a detailed understanding of how they are recognized by TCRs is essential for the design of effective T cell-based vaccines. In this study, we have characterized the T cell recognition and immune responses in mice to two naturally presented influenza A virus-derived peptides previously identified from virally infected cells via mass spectrometry. These neuraminidase-derived peptides, NA181-190 (SGPDNGAVAV) and NA181-191 (SGPDNGAVAVL), are completely overlapping with the exception of a 1 aa extension at the C terminus of the longer peptide. This minor peptidic difference results in the induction of two completely independent and non-cross-reactive T cell populations that show distinct functional characteristics after influenza A virus infection of B6 mice. We show that the unique TCR reactivity to the overlapping peptides is present in the naive repertoire prior to immune expansion in B6 mice. Moreover, we provide a structural explanation underlying the distinct CD8+ T cell reactivities, which reinforces the concept that peptide length is a key determinant of Ag specificity in CD8+ T cell responses.

A conserved energetic footprint underpins recognition of human leukocyte antigen-E by two distinct αß T cell receptors.

αß T cell receptors (TCRs) interact with peptides bound to the polymorphic major histocompatibility complex class Ia (MHC-Ia) and class II (MHC-II) molecules as well as the essentially monomorphic MHC class Ib (MHC-Ib) molecules. Although there is a large amount of information on how TCRs engage with MHC-Ia and MHC-II, our understanding of TCR/MHC-Ib interactions is very limited. Infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) can elicit a CD8+ T cell response restricted by the human MHC-Ib molecule human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E and specific for an epitope from UL40 (VMAPRTLIL), which is characterized by biased TRBV14 gene usage. Here we describe an HLA-E-restricted CD8+ T cell able to recognize an allotypic variant of the UL40 peptide with a modification at position 8 (P8) of the peptide (VMAPRTLVL) that uses the TRBV9 gene segment. We report the structures of a TRBV9+ TCR in complex with the HLA-E molecule presenting the two peptides. Our data revealed that the TRBV9+ TCR adopts a different docking mode and molecular footprint atop HLA-E when compared with the TRBV14+ TCR-HLA-E ternary complex. Additionally, despite their differing V gene segment usage and different docking mechanisms, mutational analyses showed that the TCRs shared a conserved energetic footprint on the HLA-E molecule, focused around the peptide-binding groove. Hence, we provide new insights into how monomorphic MHC molecules interact with T cells.

The targeted recognition of Lactococcus lactis phages to their polysaccharide receptors.

Each phage infects a limited number of bacterial strains through highly specific interactions of the receptor-binding protein (RBP) at the tip of phage tail and the receptor at the bacterial surface. Lactococcus lactis is covered with a thin polysaccharide pellicle (hexasaccharide repeating units), which is used by a subgroup of phages as a receptor. Using L. lactis and phage 1358 as a model, we investigated the interaction between the phage RBP and the pellicle hexasaccharide of the host strain. A core trisaccharide (TriS), derived from the pellicle hexasaccharide repeating unit, was chemically synthesised, and the crystal structure of the RBP/TriS complex was determined. This provided unprecedented structural details of RBP/receptor site-specific binding. The complete hexasaccharide repeating unit was modelled and found to aptly fit the extended binding site. The specificity observed in in vivo phage adhesion assays could be interpreted in view of the reported structure. Therefore, by combining synthetic carbohydrate chemistry, X-ray crystallography and phage plaquing assays, we suggest that phage adsorption results from distinct recognition of the RBP towards the core TriS or the remaining residues of the hexasacchride receptor. This study provides a novel insight into the adsorption process of phages targeting saccharides as their receptors.

Viral infection modulation and neutralization by camelid nanobodies.

Lactococcal phages belong to a large family of Siphoviridae and infect Lactococcus lactis, a gram-positive bacterium used in commercial dairy fermentations. These phages are believed to recognize and bind specifically to pellicle polysaccharides covering the entire bacterium. The phage TP901-1 baseplate, located at the tip of the tail, harbors 18 trimeric receptor binding proteins (RBPs) promoting adhesion to a specific lactococcal strain. Phage TP901-1 adhesion does not require major conformational changes or Ca(2+), which contrasts other lactococcal phages. Here, we produced and characterized llama nanobodies raised against the purified baseplate and the Tal protein of phage TP901-1 as tools to dissect the molecular determinants of phage TP901-1 infection. Using a set of complementary techniques, surface plasmon resonance, EM, and X-ray crystallography in a hybrid approach, we identified binders to the three components of the baseplate, analyzed their affinity for their targets, and determined their epitopes as well as their functional impact on TP901-1 phage infectivity. We determined the X-ray structures of three nanobodies in complex with the RBP. Two of them bind to the saccharide binding site of the RBP and are able to fully neutralize TP901-1 phage infectivity, even after 15 passages. These results provide clear evidence for a practical use of nanobodies in circumventing lactococcal phages viral infection in dairy fermentation.

Molecular insights on the recognition of a Lactococcus lactis cell wall pellicle by the phage 1358 receptor binding protein.

UNLABELLED: The Gram-positive bacterium Lactococcus lactis is used for the production of cheeses and other fermented dairy products. Accidental infection of L. lactis cells by virulent lactococcal tailed phages is one of the major risks of fermentation failures in industrial dairy factories. Lactococcal phage 1358 possesses a host range limited to a few L. lactis strains and strong genomic similarities to Listeria phages. We report here the X-ray structures of phage 1358 receptor binding protein (RBP) in complex with monosaccharides. Each monomer of its trimeric RBP is formed of two domains: a "shoulder" domain linking the RBP to the rest of the phage and a jelly roll fold "head/host recognition" domain. This domain harbors a saccharide binding crevice located in the middle of a monomer. Crystal structures identified two sites at the RBP surface, ∼8 Šfrom each other, one accommodating a GlcNAc monosaccharide and the other accommodating a GlcNAc or a glucose 1-phosphate (Glc1P) monosaccharide. GlcNAc and GlcNAc1P are components of the polysaccharide pellicle that we identified at the cell surface of L. lactis SMQ-388, the host of phage 1358. We therefore modeled a galactofuranose (Galf) sugar bridging the two GlcNAc saccharides, suggesting that the trisaccharidic motif GlcNAc-Galf-GlcNAc (or Glc1P) might be common to receptors of genetically distinct lactococcal phages p2, TP091-1, and 1358. Strain specificity might therefore be elicited by steric clashes induced by the remaining components of the pellicle hexasaccharide. Taken together, these results provide a first insight into the molecular mechanism of host receptor recognition by lactococcal phages. IMPORTANCE: Siphophages infecting the Gram-positive bacterium Lactococcus lactis are sources of milk fermentation failures in the dairy industry. We report here the structure of the pellicle polysaccharide from L. lactis SMQ-388, the specific host strain of phage 1358. We determined the X-ray structures of the lytic lactococcal phage 1358 receptor binding protein (RBP) in complex with monosaccharides. The positions and nature of monosaccharides bound to the RBP are in agreement with the pellicle structure and suggest a general binding mode of lactococcal phages to their pellicle saccharidic receptor.

A toxin-antitoxin module of Salmonella promotes virulence in mice.

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) modules are widely prevalent in both bacteria and archaea. Originally described as stabilizing elements of plasmids, TA modules are also widespread on bacterial chromosomes. These modules promote bacterial persistence in response to specific environmental stresses. So far, the possibility that TA modules could be involved in bacterial virulence has been largely neglected, but recent comparative genomic studies have shown that the presence of TA modules is significantly associated with the pathogenicity of bacteria. Using Salmonella as a model, we investigated whether TA modules help bacteria to overcome the stress conditions encountered during colonization, thereby supporting virulence in the host. By bioinformatics analyses, we found that the genome of the pathogenic bacterium Salmonella Typhimurium encodes at least 11 type II TA modules. Several of these are conserved in other pathogenic strains but absent from non-pathogenic species indicating that certain TA modules might play a role in Salmonella pathogenicity. We show that one TA module, hereafter referred to as sehAB, plays a transient role in virulence in perorally inoculated mice. The use of a transcriptional reporter demonstrated that bacteria in which sehAB is strongly activated are predominantly localized in the mesenteric lymph nodes. In addition, sehAB was shown to be important for the survival of Salmonella in these peripheral lymphoid organs. These data indicate that the transient activation of a type II TA module can bring a selective advantage favouring virulence and demonstrate that TA modules are engaged in Salmonella pathogenesis.

Structure, adsorption to host, and infection mechanism of virulent lactococcal phage p2.

Lactococcal siphophages from the 936 and P335 groups infect the Gram-positive bacterium Lactococcus lactis using receptor binding proteins (RBPs) attached to their baseplate, a large multiprotein complex at the distal part of the tail. We have previously reported the crystal and electron microscopy (EM) structures of the baseplates of phages p2 (936 group) and TP901-1 (P335 group) as well as the full EM structure of the TP901-1 virion. Here, we report the complete EM structure of siphophage p2, including its capsid, connector complex, tail, and baseplate. Furthermore, we show that the p2 tail is characterized by the presence of protruding decorations, which are related to adhesins and are likely contributed by the major tail protein C-terminal domains. This feature is reminiscent of the tail of Escherichia coli phage λ and Bacillus subtilis phage SPP1 and might point to a common mechanism for establishing initial interactions with their bacterial hosts. Comparative analyses showed that the architecture of the phage p2 baseplate differs largely from that of lactococcal phage TP901-1. We quantified the interaction of its RBP with the saccharidic receptor and determined that specificity is due to lower k(off) values of the RBP/saccharidic dissociation. Taken together, these results suggest that the infection of L. lactis strains by phage p2 is a multistep process that involves reversible attachment, followed by baseplate activation, specific attachment of the RBPs to the saccharidic receptor, and DNA ejection.

Canonical T cell receptor docking on peptide-MHC is essential for T cell signaling.

T cell receptor (TCR) recognition of peptide-major histocompatibility complexes (pMHCs) is characterized by a highly conserved docking polarity. Whether this polarity is driven by recognition or signaling constraints remains unclear. Using "reversed-docking" TCRß-variable (TRBV) 17+ TCRs from the naïve mouse CD8+ T cell repertoire that recognizes the H-2Db-NP366 epitope, we demonstrate that their inability to support T cell activation and in vivo recruitment is a direct consequence of reversed docking polarity and not TCR-pMHCI binding or clustering characteristics. Canonical TCR-pMHCI docking optimally localizes CD8/Lck to the CD3 complex, which is prevented by reversed TCR-pMHCI polarity. The requirement for canonical docking was circumvented by dissociating Lck from CD8. Thus, the consensus TCR-pMHC docking topology is mandated by T cell signaling constraints.

CD4+ T cell-mediated HLA class II cross-restriction in HIV controllers.

Rare individuals, termed HIV controllers, spontaneously control HIV infection by mounting efficient T cell responses against the virus. Protective CD4+ T cell responses from HIV controllers involve high-affinity public T cell receptors (TCRs) recognizing an immunodominant capsid epitope (Gag293) presented by a remarkably broad array of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules. Here, we determine the structures of a prototypical public TCR bound to HLA-DR1, HLA-DR11, and HLA-DR15 molecules presenting the Gag293 epitope. TCR recognition was driven by contacts with the Gag293 epitope, a feature that underpinned the extensive HLA cross-restriction. These high-affinity TCRs promoted mature immunological synapse formation and cytotoxic capacity in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. The public TCRs suppressed HIV replication in multiple genetic backgrounds ex vivo, emphasizing the functional advantage conferred by broad HLA class II cross-restriction.

Fragment based lead discovery of small molecule inhibitors for the EPHA4 receptor tyrosine kinase.

The in silico identification, optimization and crystallographic characterization of a 6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-3H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]isoquinolin-1-amine scaffold as an inhibitor for the EPHA4 receptor tyrosine kinase is described. A database containing commercially available compounds was subjected to an in silico screening procedure which was focused on finding novel, EPHA4 hinge binding fragments. This resulted in the identification of 6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-3H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]isoquinolin-1-amine derivatives as EPHA4 inhibitors. Hit exploration yielded a compound with 2 µM (IC(50)) affinity for the EPHA4 receptor tyrosine kinase domain. Soaking experiments into a crystal of the EPHA4 kinase domain gave a 2.11Å X-ray structure of the EPHA4 - inhibitor complex, which confirmed the binding mode of the scaffold as proposed by the initial in silico work. The results underscore the strength of fragment based in silico screening as a tool for the discovery of novel lead compounds as small molecule kinase inhibitors.

Crystal structure of the EphA4 protein tyrosine kinase domain in the apo- and dasatinib-bound state.

The Eph family of receptor tyrosine kinases regulates diverse cellular processes while the over-expression of a member of this family, EphA4, has been reported in a variety of malignant carcinomas. To gain insight into molecular mechanisms and to facilitate structure-based inhibitor design, we solved the crystal structure of the native EphA4 kinase domain in both the apo and dasatinib bound forms. Analysis of the two structures provides insight into structural features of inhibitor binding and revealed a hydrophobic back-pocket in the ATP- binding site of EphA4 which was previously unidentified. The structures suggest a route towards development of novel and specific inhibitors.