{"entity": "researcher", "timestamp": "2026-08-20T21:51:42.178Z", "family": "Nygren", "given": "Per-\u00c5ke", "initials": "P\u00c5", "orcid": "0000-0003-4214-6991", "affiliations": ["Division of Protein Technology, School of Biotechnology, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden."], "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/db3f3b9b876c486e9c8acaa5efcfff18.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/db3f3b9b876c486e9c8acaa5efcfff18"}}, "publications": [{"entity": "publication", "iuid": "065bf51b398146b793c018a7dcfaa007", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/065bf51b398146b793c018a7dcfaa007.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/065bf51b398146b793c018a7dcfaa007"}}, "title": "Progress and Future Directions with Peptide-Drug Conjugates for Targeted Cancer Therapy.", "authors": [{"family": "Lindberg", "given": "Jakob", "initials": "J"}, {"family": "Nilvebrant", "given": "Johan", "initials": "J", "orcid": "0000-0002-6104-6446", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/5cd15a9b2af64e4b977d064bacad0330.json"}}, {"family": "Nygren", "given": "Per-\u00c5ke", "initials": "P\u00c5", "orcid": "0000-0003-4214-6991", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/db3f3b9b876c486e9c8acaa5efcfff18.json"}}, {"family": "Lehmann", "given": "Fredrik", "initials": "F", "orcid": "0000-0001-7385-3870", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/e76fa1a6e6894879a10daeda735f4b72.json"}}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2021-10-05", "journal": {"title": "Molecules", "issn": "1420-3049", "volume": "26", "issue": "19", "issn-l": "1420-3049"}, "abstract": "We review drug conjugates combining a tumor-selective moiety with a cytotoxic agent as cancer treatments. Currently, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are the most common drug conjugates used clinically as cancer treatments. While providing both efficacy and favorable tolerability, ADCs have limitations due to their size and complexity. Peptides as tumor-targeting carriers in peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) offer a number of benefits. Melphalan flufenamide (melflufen) is a highly lipophilic PDC that takes a novel approach by utilizing increased aminopeptidase activity to selectively increase the release and concentration of cytotoxic alkylating agents inside tumor cells. The only other PDC approved currently for clinical use is 177Lu-dotatate, a targeted form of radiotherapy combining a somatostatin analog with a radionuclide. It is approved as a treatment for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Results with other PDCs combining synthetic analogs of natural peptide ligands with cytotoxic agents have been mixed. The field of drug conjugates as drug delivery systems for the treatment of cancer continues to advance with the application of new technologies. Melflufen provides a paradigm for rational PDC design, with a targeted mechanism of action and the potential for deepening responses to treatment, maintaining remissions, and eradicating therapy-resistant stem cells.", "doi": "10.3390/molecules26196042", "pmid": "34641586", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC8512983"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "molecules26196042"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-08-20T13:42:33.289Z", "modified": "2026-08-20T13:42:33.389Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "b9199c74ab13436cb33b162ed38990cb", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/b9199c74ab13436cb33b162ed38990cb.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/b9199c74ab13436cb33b162ed38990cb"}}, "title": "Tuning antiviral CD8 T-cell response via proline-altered peptide ligand vaccination.", "authors": [{"family": "Duru", "given": "Adil Doganay", "initials": "AD"}, {"family": "Sun", "given": "Renhua", "initials": "R", "orcid": "0000-0002-8203-4946", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/29b44e08db3a4482a6a40bbda52fe815.json"}}, {"family": "Allerbring", "given": "Eva B", "initials": "EB", "orcid": "0000-0002-9575-0466", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/4e1d21522744419bb23561be759c76b5.json"}}, {"family": "Chadderton", "given": "Jesseka", "initials": "J", "orcid": "0000-0002-2784-3556", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/0eb3a07ef04c4ef0b79629452bbd0bd9.json"}}, {"family": "Kadri", "given": "Nadir", "initials": "N"}, {"family": "Han", "given": "Xiao", "initials": "X"}, {"family": "Peqini", "given": "Kaliroi", "initials": "K"}, {"family": "Uchtenhagen", "given": "Hannes", "initials": "H", "orcid": "0000-0002-4342-1919", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/86b1228a42d4486c983058d76828cfd1.json"}}, {"family": "Madhurantakam", "given": "Chaithanya", "initials": "C"}, {"family": "Pellegrino", "given": "Sara", "initials": "S", "orcid": "0000-0002-2325-3583", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/c0d6ed24c4914ce4b6cd0f699f121b52.json"}}, {"family": "Sandalova", "given": "Tatyana", "initials": "T"}, {"family": "Nygren", "given": "Per-\u00c5ke", "initials": "P\u00c5", "orcid": "0000-0003-4214-6991", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/db3f3b9b876c486e9c8acaa5efcfff18.json"}}, {"family": "Turner", "given": "Stephen J", "initials": "SJ", "orcid": "0000-0002-1002-0000", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/d6098f38a6784bf1ace7e09d718a70ec.json"}}, {"family": "Achour", "given": "Adnane", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0003-0432-710X", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/65fba324156a4fcbafbe636e642587a9.json"}}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2020-05-00", "journal": {"title": "PLoS Pathog", "issn": "1553-7374", "volume": "16", "issue": "5", "pages": "e1008244", "issn-l": "1553-7366"}, "abstract": "Viral escape from CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses correlates with disease progression and represents a significant challenge for vaccination. Here, we demonstrate that CD8+ T cell recognition of the naturally occurring MHC-I-restricted LCMV-associated immune escape variant Y4F is restored following vaccination with a proline-altered peptide ligand (APL). The APL increases MHC/peptide (pMHC) complex stability, rigidifies the peptide and facilitates T cell receptor (TCR) recognition through reduced entropy costs. Structural analyses of pMHC complexes before and after TCR binding, combined with biophysical analyses, revealed that although the TCR binds similarly to all complexes, the p3P modification alters the conformations of a very limited amount of specific MHC and peptide residues, facilitating efficient TCR recognition. This approach can be easily introduced in peptides restricted to other MHC alleles, and can be combined with currently available and future vaccination protocols in order to prevent viral immune escape.", "doi": "10.1371/journal.ppat.1008244", "pmid": "32365082", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC7224568"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "PPATHOGENS-D-19-02081"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-08-20T12:44:43.219Z", "modified": "2026-08-20T12:44:43.362Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "1055a6a0b35b492e97418386361864f9", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/1055a6a0b35b492e97418386361864f9.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/1055a6a0b35b492e97418386361864f9"}}, "title": "Tuning antiviral CD8 T-cell response via proline-altered peptide ligand vaccination", "authors": [{"family": "Duru", "given": "Adil Doganay", "initials": "AD"}, {"family": "Sun", "given": "Renhua", "initials": "R", "orcid": "0000-0002-8203-4946", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/29b44e08db3a4482a6a40bbda52fe815.json"}}, {"family": "Allerbring", "given": "Eva B", "initials": "EB", "orcid": "0000-0002-9575-0466", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/4e1d21522744419bb23561be759c76b5.json"}}, {"family": "Chadderton", "given": "Jesseka", "initials": "J"}, {"family": "Kadri", "given": "Nadir", "initials": "N"}, {"family": "Han", "given": "Xiao", "initials": "X"}, {"family": "Uchtenhagen", "given": "Hannes", "initials": "H", "orcid": "0000-0002-4342-1919", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/86b1228a42d4486c983058d76828cfd1.json"}}, {"family": "Madhurantakam", "given": "Chaithanya", "initials": "C"}, {"family": "Pellegrino", "given": "Sara", "initials": "S", "orcid": "0000-0002-2325-3583", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/c0d6ed24c4914ce4b6cd0f699f121b52.json"}}, {"family": "Sandalova", "given": "Tatyana", "initials": "T"}, {"family": "Nygren", "given": "Per \u00c5ke", "initials": "P\u00c5", "orcid": "0000-0003-4214-6991", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/db3f3b9b876c486e9c8acaa5efcfff18.json"}}, {"family": "Turner", "given": "Stephen J", "initials": "SJ", "orcid": "0000-0002-1002-0000", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/d6098f38a6784bf1ace7e09d718a70ec.json"}}, {"family": "Achour", "given": "Adnane", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0003-0432-710X", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/65fba324156a4fcbafbe636e642587a9.json"}}], "type": "posted-content", "published": "2019-12-02", "journal": {"issn-l": null}, "abstract": null, "doi": "10.1101/862144", "pmid": null, "labels": [], "xrefs": [], "notes": [], "created": "2026-08-20T11:15:31.089Z", "modified": "2026-08-20T11:15:31.236Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "c84f34304d684326a7455384401c79b6", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/c84f34304d684326a7455384401c79b6.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/c84f34304d684326a7455384401c79b6"}}, "title": "Successive crystal structure snapshots suggest the basis for MHC class I peptide loading and editing by tapasin.", "authors": [{"family": "Hafstrand", "given": "Ida", "initials": "I", "orcid": "0000-0002-1012-9532", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/30b0065eee584566a6d75a1df61c0836.json"}}, {"family": "Sayitoglu", "given": "Ece Canan", "initials": "EC"}, {"family": "Apavaloaei", "given": "Anca", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0001-6896-1199", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/456edb69e56f47b4b9992e5d07994c6e.json"}}, {"family": "Josey", "given": "Benjamin John", "initials": "BJ"}, {"family": "Sun", "given": "Renhua", "initials": "R", "orcid": "0000-0002-8203-4946", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/29b44e08db3a4482a6a40bbda52fe815.json"}}, {"family": "Han", "given": "Xiao", "initials": "X", "orcid": "0000-0003-0879-4119", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/84f84bbd0b5a4d86b5512581773446ed.json"}}, {"family": "Pellegrino", "given": "Sara", "initials": "S"}, {"family": "Ozkazanc", "given": "Didem", "initials": "D"}, {"family": "Potens", "given": "Ren\u00e9e", "initials": "R"}, {"family": "Janssen", "given": "Linda", "initials": "L"}, {"family": "Nilvebrant", "given": "Johan", "initials": "J", "orcid": "0000-0002-6104-6446", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/5cd15a9b2af64e4b977d064bacad0330.json"}}, {"family": "Nygren", "given": "Per-\u00c5ke", "initials": "P\u00c5", "orcid": "0000-0003-4214-6991", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/db3f3b9b876c486e9c8acaa5efcfff18.json"}}, {"family": "Sandalova", "given": "Tatyana", "initials": "T"}, {"family": "Springer", "given": "Sebastian", "initials": "S", "orcid": "0000-0002-5527-6149", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/4b53dfef715d45569df53ba2bae9cc84.json"}}, {"family": "Georgoudaki", "given": "Anna-Maria", "initials": "AM"}, {"family": "Duru", "given": "Adil Doganay", "initials": "AD"}, {"family": "Achour", "given": "Adnane", "initials": "A"}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2019-03-12", "journal": {"title": "Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.", "issn": "1091-6490", "volume": "116", "issue": "11", "pages": "5055-5060", "issn-l": "0027-8424"}, "abstract": "MHC-I epitope presentation to CD8+ T cells is directly dependent on peptide loading and selection during antigen processing. However, the exact molecular bases underlying peptide selection and binding by MHC-I remain largely unknown. Within the peptide-loading complex, the peptide editor tapasin is key to the selection of MHC-I-bound peptides. Here, we have determined an ensemble of crystal structures of MHC-I in complex with the peptide exchange-associated dipeptide GL, as well as the tapasin-associated scoop loop, alone or in combination with candidate epitopes. These results combined with mutation analyses allow us to propose a molecular model underlying MHC-I peptide selection by tapasin. The N termini of bound peptides most probably bind first in the N-terminal and middle region of the MHC-I peptide binding cleft, upon which the peptide C termini are tested for their capacity to dislodge the tapasin scoop loop from the F pocket of the MHC-I cleft. Our results also indicate important differences in peptide selection between different MHC-I alleles.", "doi": "10.1073/pnas.1807656116", "pmid": "30808808", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC6421438"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "1807656116"}, {"db": "PDB", "key": "6GB7"}, {"db": "PDB", "key": "6GB5"}, {"db": "PDB", "key": "6GB6"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-08-20T09:29:48.827Z", "modified": "2026-08-20T09:29:49.027Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "ff2bc65fb2114cbda48b301d89913501", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/ff2bc65fb2114cbda48b301d89913501.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/ff2bc65fb2114cbda48b301d89913501"}}, "title": "Pneumolysin binds to the mannose receptor C type 1 (MRC-1) leading to anti-inflammatory responses and enhanced pneumococcal survival.", "authors": [{"family": "Subramanian", "given": "Karthik", "initials": "K", "orcid": "0000-0002-4381-5037", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/e448f139e7864d538490db77c2df7ead.json"}}, {"family": "Neill", "given": "Daniel R", "initials": "DR", "orcid": "0000-0002-7911-8153", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/5735ccbb66b14278a3d9050ce172f631.json"}}, {"family": "Malak", "given": "Hesham A", "initials": "HA"}, {"family": "Spelmink", "given": "Laura", "initials": "L"}, {"family": "Khandaker", "given": "Shadia", "initials": "S"}, {"family": "Dalla Libera Marchiori", "given": "Giorgia", "initials": "G"}, {"family": "Dearing", "given": "Emma", "initials": "E"}, {"family": "Kirby", "given": "Alun", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0001-5663-2961", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/fbdfe12f517e4033b22f923ba3ada484.json"}}, {"family": "Yang", "given": "Marie", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Achour", "given": "Adnane", "initials": "A"}, {"family": "Nilvebrant", "given": "Johan", "initials": "J", "orcid": "0000-0002-6104-6446", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/5cd15a9b2af64e4b977d064bacad0330.json"}}, {"family": "Nygren", "given": "Per-\u00c5ke", "initials": "P\u00c5", "orcid": "0000-0003-4214-6991", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/db3f3b9b876c486e9c8acaa5efcfff18.json"}}, {"family": "Plant", "given": "Laura", "initials": "L"}, {"family": "Kadioglu", "given": "Aras", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0003-1137-6321", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/4952a80c4ae0496eb1ad3d9c81f257e2.json"}}, {"family": "Henriques-Normark", "given": "Birgitta", "initials": "B", "orcid": "0000-0002-5429-4759", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/40da20f498284552b13443f9109b7e32.json"}}], "type": "letter", "published": "2019-01-00", "journal": {"title": "Nat. Microbiol", "issn": "2058-5276", "volume": "4", "issue": "1", "pages": "62-70", "issn-l": "2058-5276"}, "abstract": "Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity globally, and the leading cause of death in children under 5 years old. The pneumococcal cytolysin pneumolysin (PLY) is a major virulence determinant known to induce pore-dependent pro-inflammatory responses. These inflammatory responses are driven by PLY-host cell membrane cholesterol interactions, but binding to a host cell receptor has not been previously demonstrated. Here, we discovered a receptor for PLY, whereby pro-inflammatory cytokine responses and Toll-like receptor signalling are inhibited following PLY binding to the mannose receptor C type 1 (MRC-1) in human dendritic cells and mouse alveolar macrophages. The cytokine suppressor SOCS1 is also upregulated. Moreover, PLY-MRC-1 interactions mediate pneumococcal internalization into non-lysosomal compartments and polarize naive T cells into an interferon-\u03b3low, interleukin-4high and FoxP3+ immunoregulatory phenotype. In mice, PLY-expressing pneumococci colocalize with MRC-1 in alveolar macrophages, induce lower pro-inflammatory cytokine responses and reduce neutrophil infiltration compared with a PLY mutant. In vivo, reduced bacterial loads occur in the airways of MRC-1-deficient mice and in mice in which MRC-1 is inhibited using blocking antibodies. In conclusion, we show that pneumococci use PLY-MRC-1 interactions to downregulate inflammation and enhance bacterial survival in the airways. These findings have important implications for future vaccine design.", "doi": "10.1038/s41564-018-0280-x", "pmid": "30420782", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "mid", "key": "EMS79869"}, {"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC6298590"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "10.1038/s41564-018-0280-x"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-08-20T08:55:17.312Z", "modified": "2026-08-20T08:55:17.635Z"}]}