Download MendeleyDe novo-designed pMHC binders facilitate T cell-mediated cytotoxicity toward cancer cells.
Johansen, K.H., Wolff, D.S., Scapolo, B., Fernandez-Quintero, M.L., Risager Christensen, C., Loeffler, J.R., Rivera-de-Torre, E., Overath, M.D., Kjaergaard Munk, K., Morell, O., Viuff, M.C., Lacunza, I., Damm Englund, A.T., Due, M., Gharpure, A., Forli, S., Rodriguez Pardo, C., Tamhane, T., Qingjie Andersen, E., Haldrup Bjornsson, K., Fernandes, J.S., Voss, L.F., Thumtecho, S., Ward, A.B., Ormhoj, M., Reker Hadrup, S., Jenkins, T.P.(2025) Science 389: 380-385
- PubMed: 40705893
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adv0422
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
9NNF - PubMed Abstract:
The recognition of intracellular antigens by CD8 + T cells through T cell receptors (TCRs) is central for adaptive immunity against infections and cancer. However, the identification of TCRs from patient material remains complex. We present a rapid de novo minibinder (miBd) design platform leveraging state-of-the-art generative models to engineer miBds targeting the cancer-associated peptide-bound major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) SLLMWITQC/HLA-A*02:01 (NY-ESO-1). Incorporating in silico cross-panning enabled computational prescreening of specificity, and molecular dynamics simulations allowed for improved predictability of in vitro success. We identified a high-affinity NY-ESO-1 binder and confirmed its structure using cryo-electron microscopy, which, when incorporated in a chimeric antigen receptor, induced killing of NY-ESO-1 + melanoma cells. We further designed and validated binders to a neoantigen pMHC complex, RVTDESILSY/HLA-A*01:01, with unknown structure, demonstrating the potential for precision immunotherapy.
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
Organizational Affiliation:
