Author: ["Stéphane Temmerman","Kevin Pethe","Marcela Parra","Sylvie Alonso","Carine Rouanet","Thames Pickett","Annie Drowart","Anne-Sophie Debrie","Giovanni Delogu","Franco D Menozzi","Christian Sergheraert","Michael J Brennan","Françoise Mascart","Camille Locht"]
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Abstract
Although post-translational modifications of protein antigens may be important componenets of some B cell epitopes, the determinants of T cell immunity are generally nonmodified peptides. Here we show that methylation of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis heparin-binding hemagglutinin (HBHA) by the bacterium is essential for effective T cell immunity to this antigen in infected healthy humans and in mice. Methylated HBHA provides high levels of protection against M. tuberculosis challenge in mice, whereas nonmethylated HBHA does not. Protective immunity induced by methylated HBHA is comparable to that afforded by vaccination with bacille Calmette et Guérin, the only available anti-tuberculosis vaccine. Thus, post-translational modifications of proteins may be crucial for their ability to induce protective T cell-mediated immunity against infectious diseases such as tuberculosis.
Cite this article
Temmerman, S., Pethe, K., Parra, M. et al. Methylation-dependent T cell immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis heparin-binding hemagglutinin. Nat Med 10, 935–941 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1090