Evolution and modulation of antigen-specific T cell responses in melanoma patients




Huuhtanen Jani, Chen Liang, Jokinen Emmi, Kasanen Henna, Lönnberg Tapio, Kreutzman Anna, Peltola Katriina, Hernberg Micaela, Wang Chunlin, Yee Cassian, Lähdesmäki Harri, Davis Mark M, Mustjoki Satu

PublisherNATURE PORTFOLIO

2022

Nature Communications

NATURE COMMUNICATIONS

NAT COMMUN

5988

13

14

2041-1723

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-33720-z

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-33720-z

https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/176895839



Analyzing antigen-specific T cell responses at scale has been challenging. Here, we analyze three types of T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire data (antigen-specific TCRs, TCR-repertoire, and single-cell RNA + TCRαβ-sequencing data) from 515 patients with primary or metastatic melanoma and compare it to 783 healthy controls. Although melanoma-associated antigen (MAA) -specific TCRs are restricted to individuals, they share sequence similarities that allow us to build classifiers for predicting anti-MAA T cells. The frequency of anti-MAA T cells distinguishes melanoma patients from healthy and predicts metastatic recurrence from primary melanoma. Anti-MAA T cells have stem-like properties and frequent interactions with regulatory T cells and tumor cells via Galectin9-TIM3 and PVR-TIGIT -axes, respectively. In the responding patients, the number of expanded anti-MAA clones are higher after the anti-PD1(+anti-CTLA4) therapy and the exhaustion phenotype is rescued. Our systems immunology approach paves the way for understanding antigen-specific responses in human disorders.


Last updated on 2024-26-11 at 11:13