Sampling from proteome to HLA-DR ligandome

ABSTRACT: Comprehensive analysis of the complex nature of the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class II ligandome is of utmost importance to understand the basis for CD4+ T cell mediated immunity and tolerance. Here, we implemented important improvements in the analysis of the repertoire of HLA-DR-presented peptides, using hybrid mass spectrometry-based peptide fragmentation techniques on a ligandome sample isolated from matured human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC). The reported data set constitutes nearly 14 thousand unique high-confident peptides, i.e. the largest single inventory of human DC derived HLA-DR ligands to date. From a technical viewpoint the most prominent finding is that no single peptide fragmentation technique could elucidate the majority of HLA-DR ligands, due to the wide range of physical chemical properties displayed by the HLA-DR ligandome. Our in-depth profiling allowed us to reveal a strikingly modest correlation between the abundance levels of surface-presented peptides and the cellular expression of their source proteins. Important selective sieving from the sampled proteome to the ligandome, was evidenced by specificity in the sequences of the core regions both at their N- and C- termini, hence not only reflecting binding motifs but also dominant protease activity associated to the endolysosomal compartments. Moreover, we demonstrate that the HLA-DR ligandome reflects a surface representation of cell-compartments specific for biological events linked to the maturation of monocytes into antigen presenting cells. Our results present new perspectives into the complex nature of the HLA class II system and will aid future immunological studies in characterizing the full breadth of potential CD4+ T cell epitopes relevant in health and disease.

INSTRUMENT(S): TripleTOF 5600, LTQ Orbitrap Elite

ORGANISM(S): Homo Sapiens (human)

TISSUE(S): Dendritic Cell, Cell Culture

SUBMITTER: Geert Mommen  

LAB HEAD: Dr Geert Mommen

PROVIDER: PXD002951 | Pride | 2016-01-25

REPOSITORIES: Pride