Identification of antigenic peptides from novel renal cancer stem-like cell antigen, DNAJB8

To identify antigenic peptides of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) antigen, DNAJB8, and establish a mouse CSCs-targeting immunotherapy model. To induce DNAJB8-specific immune reaction, we stimulated human CD8+ lymphocytes with antigen-presenting cells pulsed with a cocktail of three candidate HLA-A*24:02 restricted peptides and assessed peptide specific human cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) induction. One of the antigenic peptides showed identical amino acid sequence as corresponding mouse DNAJB8. We evaluated CTL induction with the peptide immunization in mouse model. We confirmed peptide-specific interferon-γ secretions and cytotoxic activities of induced human CTLs. In vivo immunization with the peptide to mice, peptide-specific CTL response could be observed in mouse CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, immunization with the peptide showed significant anti-tumor effects compared with negative controls. DNAJB8-derived peptide is a novel candidate for CSCs-targeting immunotherapy, and mouse models can be used to evaluate CSCs-targeting immunotherapy. •We identified an antigenic peptide derived from cancer stem-like cell antigen, DNAJB8.•The identified peptide showed identical amino acid sequences as mouse DNAJB8.•In vivo immunization with the peptide to mouse showed specific CTL responses.