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Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses have been detected against many EBV antigens but not the nuclear antigen EBNA1; this has been attributed to the presence of a glycine-alanine repeat (GAr) domain in the protein. Here we describe the isolation of human CD8+ CTL clones recognizing EBNA1-specific peptides in the context of HLA-B35.01 and HLA-A2.03. Using these clones, we show that full-length EBNA1 is not presented when expressed endogenously in target cells, whereas the GAr-deleted form is presented efficiently. However, when supplied as an exogenous antigen, the full-length protein can be presented on HLA class I molecules by a TAP-independent pathway; this may explain how EBNA1-specific CTLs are primed in vivo.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Immunity

Publication Date

12/1997

Volume

7

Pages

791 - 802

Keywords

Alanine, Antigen Presentation, Clone Cells, Dinucleotide Repeats, Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte, Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens, Glycine, HLA-A Antigens, Herpesvirus 4, Human, Humans, T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic