Identification of circRNA-derived HLA-bound peptides
An innovative approach utilizing mass spectrometry has been developed to identify HLA-bound peptides derived from circular RNA (circRNA) translation, expanding the understanding of tumor-specific antigens potentially useful in immunotherapy.
The research*, published in Nature Communications, was conducted by Humberto Ferreira, a postdoctoral fellow in the Immunopeptidomics group headed by Prof. Michal Bassani-Sternberg, within the Human Integrated Tumor Immunology Discovery Engine (Hi-TIDe), part of the Ludwig Lausanne branch.
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are unique RNA molecules with a closed structure, often overlooked for their translation potential. This study focuses on identifying peptides derived from circRNA translation, offering insights into potential tumor-specific antigens for immunotherapy. By employing targeted mass spectrometry and sequencing techniques, researchers identified 54 unique circRNA-derived peptides in melanoma and lung cancer samples.
Collaborative efforts with Prof Alexey Nesvizhskii at the University of Michigan enhanced the study's scope. Funding from the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Swiss Cancer Research Foundation, and Swiss Science Foundation supported this research.
*Immunopeptidomics-based identification of naturally presented non-canonical circRNA-derived peptides
by Carine Dournes Söhnlein (DO UNIL CHUV communication)