We have reported that the major histocompatibility molecule HLA-DQ2 (DQA1*05:01/DQB1*02:01) (DQ2) is relatively resistant to HLA-DM (DM), a peptide exchange catalyst for MHC class IL In this study,... Show moreWe have reported that the major histocompatibility molecule HLA-DQ2 (DQA1*05:01/DQB1*02:01) (DQ2) is relatively resistant to HLA-DM (DM), a peptide exchange catalyst for MHC class IL In this study, we analyzed the role of DQ2/DM interaction in the generation of DQ2-restricted gliadin epitopes, relevant to celiac disease, or DQ2-restricted viral epitopes, relevant to host defense. We used paired human APC, differing in DM expression (DMnull versus DMhigh) or differing by expression of wild-type DQ2, versus a DM-susceptible, DQ2 point mutant DQ2 alpha+53G. The APC pairs were compared for their ability to stimulate human CD4(+) T cell clones. Despite higher DQ2 levels, DMhigh APC attenuated T cell responses compared with DMnull APC after intracellular generation of four tested gliadin epitopes. DMhigh APC expressing the DQ2 alpha+53G mutant further suppressed these gliadin-mediated responses. The gliadin epitopes were found to have moderate affinity for DQ2, and even lower affinity for the DQ2 mutant, consistent with DM suppression of their presentation. In contrast, DMhigh APC significantly promoted the presentation of DQ2-restricted epitopes derived intracellularly from inactivated HSV type 2, influenza hemagglutinin, and human papillomavirus E7 protein. When extracellular peptide epitopes were used as Ag, the DQ2 surface levels and peptide affinity were the major regulators of T cell responses. The differential effect of DM on stimulation of the two groups of T cell clones implies differences in DQ2 presentation pathways associated with nonpathogen- and pathogen-derived Ags in vivo. Show less
Zeng, Y.; Nie, C.; Min, J.X.; Chen, H.; Liu, X.M.; Ye, R.; ... ; Vaupel, J. 2018
Sunitinib has been approved by FDA in 2006 and became the first-line treatment for patients with clear cell metastatic renal cell carcinoma (cc-mRCC) due to its dramatic improvement in... Show moreSunitinib has been approved by FDA in 2006 and became the first-line treatment for patients with clear cell metastatic renal cell carcinoma (cc-mRCC) due to its dramatic improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and affordable toxicity. However, the inter-individual variability of sunitinib outcomes is large. Some clinical factors, such as blood pressure, can partly predict sunitinib efficacy, but they are not enough. More insight into the genetic factors underlying sunitinib outcome could also be helpful to improve optimization of treatment. In this thesis, the relevance of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to sunitinib treatment in (cc)-mRCC patients was investigated with regard to efficacy and toxicity.We identified SNPs in IL8,IL13, VEGFR, CYP3A5 and CTLA-4 were associated with efficacy, toxicity and clearance.Further validation in independent cohorts is need before the implementation of these genetic biomarkers into clinical practice. Show less
Liu, X.; Diekstra, M.H.; Swen, J.J.; E. boven; Castellano, D.; Gelderblom, H.; ... ; Guchelaar, H. 2016