Renal cell carcinoma–associated antigen G250 encodes a naturally processed epitope presented by human leukocyte antigen‐dr molecules to CD4+ T lymphocytes

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Abstract
We previously identified an HLA‐A2.1‐restricted epitope within the RCC‐associated antigen G250 that is recognized by CTLs. Using DCs of healthy individuals, which were loaded with overlapping 20 mer G250‐derived peptides, we here report the induction of CD4+ T cells that recognize the G250 peptide of amino acids 249–268. Moreover, naturally processed G250 protein is readily recognized by these G250‐specific CD4+ T cells in the context of HLA‐DR molecules. Interestingly, peptide G250:249–268 overlaps the previously identified HLA‐A2.1‐restricted G250 epitope recognized by CTLs. These data and the high prevalence of G250 in RCC patients make peptide G250:249–268 a potential target in peptide‐based vaccines to induce both CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell responses in patients.