Isolated molecules which complex with HLA-Cw*16 molecules, and uses thereof

Abstract

The invention involves the identification of peptides which complex with HLA-Cw*16 molecules, and which may then provoke lysis of the cells to which they bind, by cytolytic T cells. Diagnostic and therapeutic uses are described.

We claim:  
     
         1 . Isolated peptide consisting of amino acid sequence 
 Xaa Ile (Xaa) 4  Arg (Xaa) 2  Tyr Xaa    wherein the first Xaa is from 0-3 amino acids in length, the fourth Xaa is 0-2 amino acids in length, and the first and fourth Xaa are no more than 3 amino acids in total, each Xaa is any amino acid, and said peptide binds to an HLA-Cw16 molecule.    
     
     
         2 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1  consisting of amino acid sequence 
 Ile (Xaa) 4  Arg (Xaa) 2  Tyr.  
 
     
     
         3 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , of formula 
 Ile (Xaa) 4  Arg (Xaa) 2  Tyr    wherein the second Xaa in (Xaa) 4  is Gly.    
     
     
         4 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , of formula 
 Ile (Xaa) 4  Arg (Xaa) 2  Tyr    wherein the fourth Xaa in (Xaa) 4  is pro.    
     
     
         5 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , of formula: 
 Ile Xaa Gly Xaa Pro Arg (Xaa) 2 ) Tyr.    
     
     
         6 . The isolated peptide of  claim 2 , wherein said peptide is 
 Ile Ser Gly Gly Pro Arg Ile Ser Tyr.    
     
     
         7 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said peptide is: 
 Lys Ile Ser Gly Gly Pro Arg Ile Ser Tyr Pro Leu.    
     
     
         8 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said peptide is 
 Lys Ile Ser Gly Gly Pro Arg Ile Ser Tyr.    
     
     
         9 . The isolated peptide of  claim 1 , wherein said HLA-Cw16 molecule is HLA-Cw*1601.  
     
     
         10 . Method for provoking proliferation of a cytolytic T cell specific for a complex of a peptide and an HLA-Cw16 molecule, comprising contacting a T cell containing sample with a cell which present complexes of an HLA-Cw16 molecule and the peptide of  claim 1  on its surface, under conditions favoring recognition of said complex by a T cell, followed by proliferation.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said cell is a naturally occurring human cell.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said cell is a cancer cell.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said cell is a cell which has been transformed or transfected with a nucleic acid molecule which encodes an HLA-Cw16 molecule.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said cell is a cell which has been transformed or transfected with a nucleic acid molecule which encodes at least a portion of MAGE-6 tumor rejection antigen precursor, said portion encoding at least a peptide of formula: 
 Xaa Ile (Xaa) 4  Arg (Xaa) 2  Tyr Xaa    wherein the first Xaa is from 0 to 3 amino acids in length, the fourth Xaa is from 0-2 amino acids in length, each Xaa is any amino acid and the first and fourth Xaa are no more than 3 amino acids in total.    
     
     
         15 . Isolated nucleic acid molecule consisting of nucleotides 1033 through 1104 of cDNA for MAGE-6.  
     
     
         16 . Expression vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecule of  claim 15 , operably linked to a promoter.  
     
     
         17 . Cell line or cell strain, transformed or transfected with the expression vector of  claim 16.