Molecular basis of differential HLA class I-restricted T cell recognition of a highly networked HIV peptide.

Cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte (CTL) mediated control of HIV-1 is enhanced by targeting highly networked epitopes in complex with human-leukocyte-antigen-class-I (HLA-I). However, the extent to which the presenting HLA allele contributes to this process is unknown. Here we examine the CTL response to QW9, a highly networked epitope presented by the disease-protective HLA-B57 and disease-neutral HLA-B53. Despite robust targeting of QW9 in persons expressing either allele, T cell receptor (TCR) cross-recognition of the naturally occurring variant QW9_S3T is consistently reduced when presented by HLA-B53 but not by HLA-B57. Crystal structures show substantial conformational changes from QW9-HLA to QW9_S3T-HLA by both alleles. The TCR-QW9-B53 ternary complex structure manifests how the QW9-B53 can elicit effective CTLs and suggests sterically hindered cross-recognition by QW9_S3T-B53. We observe populations of cross-reactive TCRs for B57, but not B53 and also find greater peptide-HLA stability for B57 in comparison to B53. These data demonstrate differential impacts of HLAs on TCR cross-recognition and antigen presentation of a naturally arising variant, with important implications for vaccine design.

T cell receptors for the HIV KK10 epitope from patients with differential immunologic control are functionally indistinguishable.

HIV controllers (HCs) are individuals who can naturally control HIV infection, partially due to potent HIV-specific CD8+ T cell responses. Here, we examined the hypothesis that superior function of CD8+ T cells from HCs is encoded by their T cell receptors (TCRs). We compared the functional properties of immunodominant HIV-specific TCRs obtained from HLA-B*2705 HCs and chronic progressors (CPs) following expression in primary T cells. T cells transduced with TCRs from HCs and CPs showed equivalent induction of epitope-specific cytotoxicity, cytokine secretion, and antigen-binding properties. Transduced T cells comparably, albeit modestly, also suppressed HIV infection in vitro and in humanized mice. We also performed extensive molecular dynamics simulations that provided a structural basis for similarities in cytotoxicity and epitope cross-reactivity. These results demonstrate that the differential abilities of HIV-specific CD8+ T cells from HCs and CPs are not genetically encoded in the TCRs alone and must depend on additional factors.

Open conformers of HLA-F are high-affinity ligands of the activating NK-cell receptor KIR3DS1.

The activating natural killer (NK)-cell receptor KIR3DS1 has been linked to the outcome of various human diseases, including delayed progression of disease caused by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), yet a ligand that would account for its biological effects has remained unknown. We screened 100 HLA class I proteins and found that KIR3DS1 bound to HLA-F, a result we confirmed biochemically and functionally. Primary human KIR3DS1(+) NK cells degranulated and produced antiviral cytokines after encountering HLA-F and inhibited HIV-1 replication in vitro. Activation of CD4(+) T cells triggered the transcription and surface expression of HLA-F mRNA and HLA-F protein, respectively, and induced binding of KIR3DS1. HIV-1 infection further increased the transcription of HLA-F mRNA but decreased the binding of KIR3DS1, indicative of a mechanism for evading recognition by KIR3DS1(+) NK cells. Thus, we have established HLA-F as a ligand of KIR3DS1 and have demonstrated cell-context-dependent expression of HLA-F that might explain the widespread influence of KIR3DS1 in human disease.

[Beta-1 adrenoceptor blockade decreases the firing rate to painful stimuli in spinal wide-dynamic range neurons in rats]. / Los bloqueadores beta-1 adrenérgicos reducen la respuesta a estímulos dolorosos en neuronas de amplio rango dinámico de la médula espinal en ratas.

BACKGROUND: It is known that epinephrine/norepinephrine inhibit acute pain transmission. However, the role of ß-adrenoceptors is not clear. Thus, we analyzed if beta-1 and/or beta-2 adrenoceptors can modulate acute pain transmission by performing in vivo single unit recordings during painful and non-painful peripheral stimulation in rats. METHODS: Longitudinal study in which we analyzed seven groups of male rats Wistar: control group (n = 11): saline (0.9 %); EPI group (n = 8): epinephrine 100 mcg; beta-1 agonist group (n = 8): dobutamine 125 mcg; beta-1-antagonist group (n = 9): metoprolol 100 mcg; beta-2-agonist group (n = 7): clenbuterol 100 mcg; beta-2-antagonist group (n = 8): butoxamine 100 mcg; beta-1-antagonist + EPI group (n = 10): metoprolol 100 mcg + epinephrine 100 mcg. For the statistical analysis we used ANOVA. RESULTS: Epinephrine significantly reduced the basal firing rate (BFR) in 34.1 % (p < 0.05) and also the evoked response by painful stimulation in 56 % (p < 0.05). No change was observed in the evoked response by non-painful stimulation. ANTß1 was the only beta-adrenoceptor acting drug that significantly reduced the evoked response by painful stimulation in 41 % (p < 0.05). None of the other drugs alone affected either the BFR or the evoked response to non-painful or painful stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: It is the first time that a beta-1-adrenoceptor antagonist (metoprolol) probes to be effective in reducing the response to painful stimulation in WDR neurons.

Introducción: la epinefrina/norepinefrina inhibe la transmisión del dolor agudo; empero, no es claro el papel de los receptores beta-adrenérgicos. Por tanto, analizamos si los fármacos de estos receptores modulan la transmisión del dolor agudo mediante registro electrofisiológico unitario extracelular in vivo durante estimulación periférica dolorosa y no dolorosa en ratas. Métodos: estudio longitudinal en el que se cotejaron siete grupos de ratas: control (n = 11): solución salina (0,9 %); EPI (n = 8): 100 mcg epinefrina; agonista beta-1 (n = 8): 125 mcg dobutamina; antagonista beta-1 (n = 9): 100 mcg metoprolol; agonista beta-2 (n = 7): 100 mcg clembuterol; antagonista beta-2 (n = 8): butoxamina 100 mcg; antagonista beta-1 + EPI (n = 10): 100 mcg metoprolol + 100 mcg epinefrina. Se hizo análisis estadístico por medio de ANOVA. Resultados: La epinefrina redujo significativamente la tasa de disparo basal (RDB) en 34.1 % (p < 0.05) y la respuesta evocada por la estimulación dolorosa en 56 % (p < 0.05). No hubo cambios en la respuesta provocada por la falta de estimulación dolorosa. El antagonista beta-1 fue el único fármaco con acción beta-adrenérgica que redujo significativamente la respuesta evocada por la estimulación dolorosa en 41 % (p < 0.05). Conclusión: por primera vez un antagonista de los receptores beta-1-adrenérgicos (metoprolol) prueba ser eficaz en la reducción de la respuesta a la estimulación dolorosa en las neuronas ARD.