Molecular mimicry between tumor associated antigens and microbiota-derived epitopes

• DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03512-6
• Publication Date: 2022-07-14T11:03:47Z
• Authors: Concetta Ragone; Carmen Manolio; Angela Mauriello; Beatrice Cavalluzzo; Franco M. Buonaguro; Maria Lina Tornes...; Maria Tagliamonte; Luigi Buonaguro
• Keywords: Molecular mimicry

Abstract Background The gut microbiota profile is unique for each individual and are composed by different bacteria species according to birth-to-infant transitions. In the last years, local systemic effects of on cancer onset, progression response treatments, such as immunotherapies, has been extensively described. Here we offer a new perspective, proposing role based molecular mimicry tumor associated antigens microbiome-associated antigens. Methods present study looked homology between published TAAs non-self microbiota-derived epitopes. Blast search sequence was combined with extensive bioinformatics analyses. Results Several evidences have found. Strikingly, three cases 100% paired sequences identified. predicted average affinity HLA molecules very high (< 100 nM). structural conformation epitopes is, in general, highly similar corresponding TAA. some cases, it identical contact areas both TCR chains indistinguishable. Moreover, spatial TCR-facing residues can be TAA epitopes, exactly same values planar well dihedral angles. Conclusions data reported show first time linear structure peptides derived from Firmicutes Bacteroidetes phyla, which together account 90% microbiota. Cross-reacting CD8 + T cell responses likely induced. Therefore, anti-microbiota memory may turn out an anti-cancer memory, able control growth developed during lifetime if expressed epitope. This ultimately represent relevant selective advantage patients lead novel preventive vaccine strategy.