Key result
ApoB100 peptide-induced CD4+ T cell activation occurs in ~30% of atherosclerosis patients and correlates with plaque vulnerability.
Observational
Immunopeptidomics can successfully identify antigenic drivers of atherosclerosis, such as ApoB100 peptides, which activate CD4+ T cells and correlate with plaque vulnerability.
Atherosclerosis has an auto-immune component driven by self-reactive T and B cells. Identifying their antigenic drivers may lead to new diagnosis and treatment approaches. Here, we aim to identify immunogenic T cell epitopes derived from atherosclerosis-relevant proteins such as ApoB100 by studying the repertoire of peptides presented by HLA in human plaques. We used immunopeptidomics to identify peptides presented by HLA-DR molecules from plaques of patients that underwent endarterectomy surgery. We selected a set of 20 peptides derived from ApoB100 and studied the presence and cytokine profile of ApoB100-specific CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from atherosclerosis patients. revealed significant CD4+ T cell activation in response to these ApoB100 peptides in 22-39 % of the patients, and this T cell response correlated positively with plaque vulnerability. These cells were characterized by production of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. We show that immunopeptidomics can be a valid approach to new discover antigens in atherosclerosis.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Vigario et al. (2025) conducted an observational in Atherosclerosis. ApoB100 peptides was evaluated on CD4+ T cell activation. ApoB100 peptides elicited significant CD4+ T cell activation in 22-39% of atherosclerosis patients, which correlated positively with plaque vulnerability.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: