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Peptide SLLMWITQC is a nonapeptide corresponding to residues 157–165 of the NY-ESO-1 antigen. It is derived from the cancer/testis antigen NY-ESO-1 (New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1), a protein highly expressed in various tumor types (melanoma, neuroblastoma, etc.), while largely absent in normal tissue. Recognized only when presented on HLA-A*02:01 (MHC Class I), making it a key antigenic epitope for CD8⁺ T-cell immune recognition.
SLLMWITQC is a HLA-A2 restricted CD8⁺ T-cell epitope derived from NY-ESO-1, making it instrumental in eliciting T-cell responses against tumor cells. The 3D conformation of this peptide bound to HLA-A2 has been elucidated (PDB entry 1S9W), providing structural basis for TCR interactions and stability in immunogenic assays. The epitope has been widely used in TCR-T cell therapies (e.g., 1G4 TCR) and vaccine development, with multiple clinical trials demonstrating efficacy—particularly in melanoma and synovial sarcoma.
Features & Benefits:
- T-Cell Activation Assays:
Used to stimulate NY-ESO-1-specific CD8⁺ T cells in ELISPOT, intracellular cytokine staining (ICS), cytotoxicity, and proliferation assays with PBMCs or splenocytes.
- Vaccine Platforms:
Incorporated into nanoparticle-based delivery systems to boost antigen-specific CD8⁺ T-cell responses, especially when co-delivered with adjuvants like CpG, enhancing IFN-γ secretion and cytotoxicity.
- Structural & Biochemical Studies:
Enables understanding of MHC–peptide–TCR binding interactions, informing design of immunogenic analogs (e.g., substitution of terminal cysteine to improve stability).
- Immune Monitoring & Diagnostic Tools:
Employed in tetramer staining or MHC-multimer assays to detect and quantify NY-ESO-1-specific T cells, aiding in monitoring immune responses during immunotherapy trials.
- Antibody & TCR-like Reagents:
Used as the target epitope for development of TCR-like monoclonal antibodies (e.g. 3M4E5) that recognize peptide–MHC complexes, offering tools for detection or therapeutic targeting of tumor cells.
The SLLMWITQC peptide stands as a benchmark NY-ESO-1 epitope for immunological and therapeutic applications. Its strong immunogenicity, structural characterization, and practical utility make it indispensable for research in cancer immunotherapy, vaccine development, and T-cell diagnostics.
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