利用MHC-I/肽结合的预测与免疫学实验相结合的方法鉴定肿瘤抗原表位

目的:建立中国人群常见的人类白细胞抗原(HLA)分子限定的肿瘤抗原免疫表位的鉴定技术,为分离及鉴定肿瘤特异性T细胞以及克隆肿瘤抗原特异性T细胞受体基因提供实验基础。方法:以肿瘤/睾丸抗原NY-ESO、MAGE-A1和KK-LC-1作为模型,选用中国人群常见的HLA-I分型,利用主要组织相容性复合体(MHC)/肽预测软件对这3个抗原的MHC-I类表位进行预测。用PCR技术测定健康志愿者的HLA分型,以志愿者含有的中国人群常见HLA-A*11:01和HLA-B*46:01分型选择预测的抗原表位,设计合成KK-LC-1长肽,进行T细胞刺激实验,用ELISPOT和流式细胞仪分析产生干扰素γ(IFN-γ)的T细胞数量和CD137上调反应,以验证肽对T细胞特异性刺激的有效性。对其中一个反应最好的KK-LC-1长肽,开展短肽的验证。结果:(1)3个肿瘤/睾丸抗原在我国人群35种常见HLA分型中存在众多的强结合表位,在不同蛋白质的序列中分布不均匀;(2)KK-LC-1长肽可刺激T细胞产生T细胞活化反应,即释放IFN-γ和T细胞上调CD137分子,与预测的HLA分型基本吻合;(3)KK-LC-1短肽比长肽刺激效果更好,有更精确的抗原表位。结论:利用MHC/肽预测法并结合抗原特异性刺激实验可快速鉴定肿瘤抗原的T细胞表位;根据长肽的结果缩短肽段,可确定抗原表位。本研究为快速确定肿瘤抗原表位提供了新的途径。     

应用免疫信息学技术预测严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2(SARS-CoV-2)的抗原表位

目的运用免疫信息学技术预测严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2(SARS-CoV-2)的B细胞、细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)和辅助T(Th)细胞的抗原表位。方法从NCBI数据库检索SARS-CoV-2蛋白序列,根据抗原性≥0.5和氨基酸数≥100进行筛选,最终的蛋白序列用于后续的抗原肽的预测。用蛋白质结构预测软件Phyre2进行三维结构的预测、蛋白质模型结构的细化软件GalaxyRefine优化蛋白的三维结构,最后用蛋白质结构同源建模SWISS-MODEL系统对优化后的结构进行准确性评估。蛋白序列用于CTL、Th细胞和线性B细胞抗原肽预测,三维结构用于结构性B细胞抗原预测。免疫表位数据库和分析资源(IEDB)预测SARS-CoV-2的CTL和Th细胞抗原表位,B细胞线性抗原肽预测软件Bepipred Linear Epitope Prediction 2.0和B细胞结构抗原肽预测软件ElliPro-Epitope prediction based upon structural protrusion分别预测B细胞线性和结构抗原肽。结果从NCBI数据库获得了27个SARS-CoV-2的蛋白序列,去掉抗原性0.5和氨基酸数100的蛋白质后,最终选定9个蛋白进行后续抗原肽预测。最终获得了24个CTL、20个Th细胞、12个B细胞线性表位和16个B细胞结构表位。结论获得的抗原表位可用于后续多表位疫苗的设计,相较于只针对单种蛋白靶点的抗原表位而言,多靶点抗原表位具有更强的免疫原性,这些抗原表位对SARS-CoV-2疫苗而言,具有一定的参考价值。     

梅毒螺旋体Tp92蛋白T细胞表位的预测与鉴定

目的预测和鉴定梅毒螺旋体(Treponema pallidum,Tp)Tp92蛋白的Th细胞表位,为深入探讨这些表位在梅毒表位疫苗中的作用奠定基础。方法采用RANKPEP和SYFPEITHI软件分析工具联合预测Tp92蛋白的Th细胞表位,人工合成5条表位多肽,以5条表位多肽(同时设Con A阳性对照和RPMI-1640阴性对照)分别刺激梅毒患者和正常人外周血单个核细胞(PBMC),用CCK-8法鉴定预测的Th细胞表位,进一步以ELISA检测INF-γ和IL-4的分泌水平,区分Th细胞表位的类型。结果软件预测显示,Tp92蛋白的P1(103-118AA)、P2(694-712AA)、P3(668-680AA)、P4(300-313AA)、P5(396-410AA)氨基酸序列最可能为其Th细胞表位。CCK-8法检测显示,P2、P3、P5能诱导梅毒患者淋巴细胞明显增殖,而正常人淋巴细胞不反应;ELISA检测细胞因子产生情况发现:P2、P3、P5可刺激梅毒患者淋巴细胞产生较高水平IFN-γ,而不产生IL-4。结论 P2、P3、P5为Tp92蛋白潜在的HLA-DRBl限制性特异性Th1型细胞表位。     

TIMP-1B细胞表位的预测和鉴定

目的: 预测并鉴定金属蛋白酶组织抑制物-1(TIMP-1)蛋白B细胞表位。方法: 采用DNAStar和BcePred分析软件联合预测TIMP-1的B细胞表位,以此合成8分支多抗原肽结构的表位肽(MAP),并与通用型T辅助表位肽(VQGEESNDK,氨基酸163~171)联合免疫家兔,检测免疫血清效价,用Western blotting和间接酶联免疫吸附测定等方法鉴定其特异性和抗体亲和力。结果: 软件预测显示,TIMP-1的第27~41 位(MAP1)、第57~71 位(MAP2)、第95~109 位(MAP3)和第193~207 位(MAP4)氨基酸序列最可能为其优势B细胞表位。抗体滴度动态检测表明,MAP2、MAP3和MAP4均能诱导产生特异性抗体,其中MAP2和MAP4诱导的抗体水平最高;免疫印迹证实MAP2、MAP3和MAP4诱导产生特异性的TIMP-1抗体;间接ELISA证实MAP4与商品化TIMP-1抗体具有最高的亲和力。结论: TIMP-1的第27~41位和第193~207位氨基酸为其优势B细胞表位,其中第193~207位氨基酸的免疫原性最强,这为TIMP-1多肽抗体和B细胞优势短肽疫苗研制提供了理论依据。     

丙型肝炎病毒非结构区5个细胞毒性T细胞表位的鉴定

目的 采用T细胞表位预测软件结合体外实验鉴定丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)特异性细胞毒性T细胞(CTL)表位.方法 采用T表位预测软件Rankpep预测HCV特异性CTL表位,选择候选CTL表位加以合成;用候选CTL表位肽分别刺激HCV感染者以及健康志愿者的外周血单个核细胞(PBMC),采用酶联免疫斑点试验(ELISPOT)检测PBMC中肽特异性分泌IFN-γ的斑点形成细胞(spots forming cells,SFC)的水平,采用细胞内细胞因子染色(intracellular cytokine staining,ICS)检测PBMC中肽特异性IFN-γ+CD8+T细胞的水平.结果 用5条候选CTL表位肽[NS3 450(TVPQDAVSR)、NS3 594(GPTPLLYRL)、NS4b 78(SMMAFSAAL)、NS5a 416(SEENVSVVF)和NS5a 367(TVSSALAEL)]分别刺激10个HCV感染者和2个健康者的PBMC后,健康者的PBMC不产生IFN-γ而7个HCV感染者的PBMC产生IFN-γ;HCV感染者的PBMC中肽特异性分泌IFN-γ的细胞的频率为(5-36)SFC/105 PBMC,肽特异性IFN-γ+CD8+T细胞占总CD8+T细胞的百分比为0.02%～0.25%.结论 ELISPOT结果和ICS结果证实5条肽NS3 450、NS3 594、NS4b 78、NSSa 416和NS5a 367为全新的HCV特异性CTL表位.     

p210~(bcr-abl)抗原的T细胞表位鉴定及其特异性CTL细胞检测

目的:探讨p210~(bcr-abl)抗原的免疫原性,预测并鉴定该蛋白来源的HLA-A2限制性T细胞表位,并在慢性粒细胞白血病患者中检测其特异性CTL细胞分布.方法:首先利用生物信息学软件预测并选取2个p210~(bcr-abl)来源的表位:~(BCR-ABL)_(642)与~(BCR-ABL)_(926m);T2细胞亲和力实验鉴定短肽与HLA-A2分子的亲和力;然后制备分别锚合这2种表位的可溶性HLA-A2四聚体,流式检测术检测其特异性CTL细胞在CML患者外周血CD8+T细胞中的频率.结果:与健康人群相比,~(BCR-ABL)_(642)和~(BCR-ABL)_(926m)肽表位限制性CTL细胞的频率在CML患者均明显升高(P<0.01);而来自流感病毒短肽的特异性CTL细胞在两个群体中无统计学差异(P>0.05);另外,~(BCR-ABL)_(642)特异性CTL细胞的频率在CML慢性期和急变期之间有统计学差异(P<0.05).结论:所选2种肽表位均具有免疫原性,可建立基于这2种短肽的免疫治疗措施.     

TH线性肽对人肝素酶B细胞表位多抗原肽的免疫增强作用

目的 探讨提高人肝素酶B细胞表位肽应答效应的免疫策略.方法 预测人肝素酶蛋白B细胞表位,采用8分支多抗原肽(MAP)结构合成多肽,利用ELISA鉴定合成的MAP与肝素酶全蛋白抗体的结合反应.以MAP联合或不联合通用型TH表位线性肽免疫C57BL/6小鼠,动态检测免疫血清效价.结果 软件预测得到3个肝素酶蛋白B细胞表位,即大亚基的第1～15位(MAP1)、第279～293位(MAP2)及175～189位(MAP3)氨基酸序列.ELISA显示,MAP2多肽与全蛋白抗体的结合力明显强于MAP1及MAP3,MAP与TH线性肽联合免疫产生的抗体滴度明显高于单纯MAP免疫组.结论 生物信息学预测得到的3个表位肽均为肝素酶蛋白的B细胞优势表位,T辅助表位线性肽能显著增强MAP的免疫效应.     

人锌转运蛋白8的HLA-A~*0201限制性CTL表位的预测及初步验证

目的预测和初步鉴定1型糖尿病(T1DM)主要自身抗原锌转运蛋白8(ZnT8)的HLA-A*0201限制性细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(cytotoxic T lymphocytes,CTL)表位,为基于ZnT8抗原表位的特异性免疫治疗奠定基础。方法选取BIMAS预测工具预测该抗原HLA-A*0201限制性结合肽,人工合成待测表位肽,利用T2细胞株测定各肽与HLA-A*0201分子的结合力。利用酶联免疫斑点检测(enzyme-linked immunospotassay,ELISPOT)方法检测候选肽刺激T1DM患者外周血单个核细胞分泌IFN-γ和IL-2的能力,利用标准51Cr释放试验检测特异性CTL诱导活性。结果在所筛选的5个候选CTL表位中,ZnT8(107-115)、ZnT8(115-123)及ZnT8(145-153)与HLA-A*0201分子具有较高的结合荧光强度,可在体外有效诱导抗原特异性CTL的产生,刺激T1DM患者PBMC分泌IFN-γ和IL-2,并对抗原肽负载的T2细胞具有明显的杀伤效应。结论 ZnT8(107-115)、ZnT8(115-123)及ZnT8(145-153)可能是HLA-A*0201限制性CTL表位,为基于人ZnT8抗原表位的特异性免疫治疗奠定理论基础。     

EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白2多表位的原核表达及其抗原特性分析

目的 对EB病毒(EBV)潜伏膜蛋白2(LMP2)中富含T、B细胞多表位肽段基因进行原核表达,并分析该多表位蛋白的抗原特性.方法 利用计算机在线软件预测EBV LMP2蛋白的CTL表位、Th表位.选取富含CTL表位和Th表位的肽段,兼顾其上下游已预测的B细胞表位,组成含多个T、B细胞表位的EBV LMP2多表位,该多表位基因序列经原核密码子优化后全序列合成,并克隆入原核表达载体pET32a(+)得到pET32a(+)/EBV-LMP2多表位重组质粒,经IPTG诱导在E.coli BL21(DE3)表达并纯化,经SDS-PAGE和Western blot分析鉴定;采用EBV膜蛋白家兔免疫血清和鼻咽癌患者血清进行Western blot分析其抗原特性;并利用EBV-LMP2多表位蛋白免疫BALB/c小鼠,分别采用LDH和ELISA方法检测小鼠脾细胞特异性CTL杀伤效应及血清特异性抗体IgG水平,以分析该表位蛋白的免疫原性.结果 LMP2(aa195-232)和LMP2(aa419-436)肽段富含CTL、Th和B细胞表位,将其串联后作为EBV LMP2多表位,该多表位基因在大肠杆菌中获得了表达.表达产物的相对分子质量(Mr)约27×103,与预期Mr相符;经Western blot证实EBV-LMP2多表位具有抗原特异性,可被EBV膜蛋白家兔免疫血清和鼻咽癌患者血清特异性抗体识别;小鼠免疫结果显示EBVLMP2多表位可诱导机体产生特异性的CTL杀伤效应,随着效靶比(1:5,1:10,1:25)增加,CTL杀伤活性逐渐增强(12.52%±2.59%,21.80%±1.08%,23.68%±3.74%),同时产生了特异性血清IgG抗体反应(A490=0.258±0.040),与对照组比较差异均具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 本研究没计的EBV-LMP2多表位具有良好的抗原性和一定的免疫原性.     

减毒鼠伤寒沙门氏菌运送CD8+T细胞表位的细胞免疫应答

目的： 探索减毒沙门氏菌运送CD8＋ T 细胞表位诱导机体产生特异性细胞免疫应答的规律性.方法： 通过构建融合表达OVA 257～264aa和LCMV NP 118～132aa CD8＋ T 细胞表位的原核表达质粒ptG2F, 以电穿孔法转化减毒鼠伤寒沙门氏菌SL7207, 筛选重组菌SL7207（ptG2F）.采用静脉注射免疫C57BL/6和BALB/c小鼠, 间隔2 wk, 分别于第2次和第3次免疫后, 取免疫小鼠脾细胞, 用ELISPOT法检测特异性IFN-γ分泌细胞和IL- 4分泌细胞.结果： 携带CD8＋ T细胞表位的重组菌SL7207（ptG2F）能诱导产生细胞免疫应答.在提呈OVA CD8＋ T细胞表位时, 2次免疫后, 诱导产生的细胞免疫应答趋向于Th1; 而在3次免疫后, 呈现Th1/Th2的平衡转换.在提呈LCMV NP CD8＋ T细胞表位过程中, Th2免疫应答水平高于Th1, 且有增强趋势.结论： 减毒沙门氏菌可以有效运送CD8＋ T细胞表位并诱导产生特异细胞免疫应答, 这为减毒细菌作为运送载体的研究提供了参考依据.     

Identification of murine H2-Dd- and H2-Ab-restricted T-cell epitopes on a novel protective antigen, MPT51, of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Both CD4(+) type 1 helper T (Th1) cells and CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) play pivotal roles in protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Here, we identified Th1 and CTL epitopes on a novel protective antigen, MPT51, in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Mice were immunized with plasmid DNA encoding MPT51 by using a gene gun, and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production from the immune spleen cells was analyzed in response to a synthetic overlapping peptide library covering the mature MPT51 sequence. In BALB/c mice, only one peptide, p21-40, appeared to stimulate the immune splenocytes to produce IFN-gamma. Flow cytometric analysis with intracellular IFN-gamma and the T-cell phenotype revealed that the p21-40 peptide contains an immunodominant CD8(+) T-cell epitope. Further analysis with a computer-assisted algorithm permitted identification of a T-cell epitope, p24-32. In addition, a major histocompatibility complex class I stabilization assay with TAP2-deficient RMA-S cells transfected with K(d), D(d), or L(d) indicated that the epitope is presented by D(d). Finally, we proved that the p24-32/D(d) complex is recognized by IFN-gamma-producing CTL. In C57BL/6 mice, we observed H2-A(b)-restricted dominant and subdominant Th1 epitopes by using T-cell subset depletion analysis and three-color flow cytometry. The data obtained are useful for analyzing the role of MPT51-specific T cells in protective immunity and for designing a vaccine against M. tuberculosis infection.     

Human T-cell leukemia virus type-I (HTLV-I)-specific T-cell responses detected using three-divided glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-Tax fusion proteins

Insufficient T-cell response to human T-cell leukemia virus type-I (HTLV-I) is a potential risk factor in adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). We established an assay system for detecting HTLV-I-specific T-cell response by using recombinant glutathione-S-transferase (GST) proteins fused with HTLV-I Tax protein that was divided into three portions, Tax-A, -B, and -C, corresponding to the N-terminal, central and C-terminal regions, respectively. When splenocytes from rats immunized with plasmids encoding Tax cDNA were incubated with these recombinant proteins, strong interferon gamma (IFN-gamma-producing responses occurred against GST-Tax proteins but not against control GST proteins. No such Tax-specific responses were observed in splenocytes from naive rats. Cocktails of oligopeptides corresponding to the Tax-A, -B, and -C regions also induced IFN-gamma-producing responses when incubated with splenocytes from immunized rats, but required higher amounts of antigens and there were a shorter periods of sustained T-cell responses than with GST-Tax protein-based assay. Although splenocytes from immunized rats predominantly reacted against GST-Tax-B protein, they failed to react with peptide cocktails corresponding to the Tax-B region, likely because the major epitope was interrupted in the initially prepared series of peptides. Using a newly prepared peptide series we found that splenocytes predominantly reacted with a peptide located in the Tax-B region that overlaps with a previously identified cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) epitope of this rat strain. Using this system, we examined peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from an ATL patient who underwent complete remission following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). PBMC from this patient produced a significant Tax-specific T-cell response predominantly against GST-Tax-A protein. This is consistent with the previous finding that this patient exhibited a strong HLA-A2-restricted CTL response to Tax 11-19 epitope, which is located in the Tax-A region. This study provides a diagnostic tool, useful for monitoring HTLV-I-specific T-cell immunity in patients and for surveying HTLV-I-carriers to identify an immunological group at high risk for ATL development, regardless of their human leukocyte antigen (HLA) types. It is also useful for predicting the location of T-cell epitopes, which may be applicable in future vaccine strategies.     

Identification and characterization of host-protective T-cell epitopes of a major surface glycoprotein (gp63) from Leishmania major

By using a series of overlapping synthetic peptides that cover more than 75% of the amino acid sequence of the major surface glycoprotein (gp63) from Leishmania major, 11 T-cell epitopes in CBA and BALB/c mice have been identified. Six of the peptides were recognized by T cells of CBA mice recovered from L. major infection, while one was recognized by the T cells from BALB/c mice recovered from the infection following sublethal doses of gamma-irradiation. Lymph node cells from mice immunized with the peptides also responded to a number of the same peptides (seven in CBA and one in BALB/c). Peptide p10-28 induced proliferative T-cell responses in both CBA and BALB/c mice. Five of the peptides (p10-28, p22-40, p289-309, p459-471 and p467-482) induced vigorous T-cell response in CBA mice but were not recognized by T cells from recovered mice. Four other peptides (p321-336, p364-476, p372-385 and p378-396) were recognized by T cells from recovered CBA mice but could not induce a T-cell response in normal CBA mice. Three peptides (p146-171, p289-309 and p395-414) were both able to induce a T-cell response and were recognized by T cells from recovered mice. However, only two peptides (p146-171 and p467-482) were able to activate T cells, which also recognized epitopes expressed by antigen-presenting cells infected with promastigotes. T cells induced by p146-171 and p467-171 or a mixture of these two peptides were mainly CD4+ and produced interleukin (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) but not IL-4 upon antigen stimulation in vitro. These two peptides also induced a classical delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response in CBA mice. Furthermore, CBA mice immunized with a mixture of the two peptides in Coryne parvum or entrapped in liposomes induced significant resistance against L. major infection. The implications of these results in terms of a synthetic vaccine against leishmaniasis and the mechanism of the induction of Th1 and Th2 cells are discussed.     

Human T-cell epitopes of the latex allergen Hev b 5 in health care workers

BACKGROUND: Latex allergy affects health care workers as a high-risk cohort. Hev b 5 is a major latex allergen reacting with serum IgE from 92% of latex-allergic health care workers. Because CD4(+) T-cell recognition is central to the specific immune response to allergens, identification of dominant T-cell epitopes is important for the development of specific immunotherapy for latex allergy. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to map T-cell epitopes of Hev b 5 in health care workers. METHODS: Six latex-allergic health care workers (grade 3 to 4 enzyme allergosorbent test score) were studied. Peripheral blood latex specific 3-week T-cell lines were generated and screened for proliferative response to overlapping 20-mer peptides of Hev b 5. Supernatants collected at 48 hours were analyzed by ELISA for IL-5 and IFN-gamma. RESULTS: Dot immunoblotting with use of recombinant Hev b 5/maltose-binding protein indicated serum-specific IgE in 5 of 6 patients. T-cell reactivity to one or more Hev b 5 peptides was identified in these 5 donors, but not in the sixth. Hev b 5 (46-65) induced T-cell proliferation in all 5 donors. Hev b 5 (109-128) stimulated T cells from 3 of these patients. Proliferative responses were accompanied by substantial IL-5 secretion and minimal IFN-gamma, indicating a T(H)2-predominant cytokine profile. CONCLUSIONS: Five of 6 latex-allergic patients demonstrated T-cell responsiveness to Hev b 5 consistent with a major T-cell reactive latex allergen. Two T-cell immunodominant regions of Hev b 5 were identified, and reactivity to these sites was associated with strong IL-5 but minimal IFN-gamma production.     

CD4 T-cell epitopes associated with protective immunity induced following vaccination of mice with an ehrlichial variable outer membrane protein

The ehrlichiae express variable outer membrane proteins (OMPs) that play important roles in both pathogenesis and host defense. Previous studies revealed that OMPs are immunodominant B-cell antigens and that passive transfer of anti-OMP antibodies can protect SCID mice from fatal ehrlichial infection. In this study, we used a model of fatal monocytotropic ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia bacteria from Ixodes ovatus (IOE) to determine whether OMP immunization could generate protective immunity in immunocompetent mice. Immunization of C57BL/6 mice with a purified recombinant OMP expressed by IOE omp19 generated protection from fatal IOE infection and elicited robust humoral and CD4 T-cell responses. To identify CD4 T-cell epitopes within OMPs, we performed enzyme-linked immunospot analyses for gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production using a panel of overlapping 16-mer peptides from IOE OMP-19. Five immunoreactive peptides comprising residues 30 to 45, 77 to 92, 107 to 122, 197 to 212, and 247 to 264 were identified; the strongest response was generated against OMP-19(107-122). Most of the peptides are conserved between E. muris and E. chaffeensis OMP-19, and they elicited IFN-gamma production in CD4 T cells from E. muris-infected mice, indicating that T-cell epitope cross-reactivity likely contributes to heterologous immunity. Accordingly, CD4 T-cell responses to both OMP-19 and OMP-19(107-122) were of greater magnitude following high-dose IOE challenge of mice that had been immunized by prior infection with E. muris. Our studies cumulatively identify B- and T-cell epitopes that are associated with protective homologous and heterologous immunity during ehrlichial infection.     

T- and B-cell epitopes in the secreted Mycobacterium bovis antigen MPB70 in mice

MPB70 is a soluble secreted protein highly expressed in Mycobacterium bovis and strains of bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG); as such, it is a candidate for subunit and DNA vaccines against tuberculosis. MPB70 was screened for T-cell epitopes in four different inbred mouse strains. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) H-2b-expressing mice (C57BL/6) secreted interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) after stimulation with peptides from the regions 1-20, 41-50, 81-110, 121-150 and 161-193 of the MPB70 sequence. H-2db mouse (B6D2) splenocytes secreted IFN-gamma after stimulation with some of the same peptides, whereas H-2d mice (BALB/c and DBA/2) did not secrete IFN-gamma upon stimulation with the peptides. Sera from H-2db mice immunized with native MPB70 in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA), mpb70 DNA or live BCG Moreau were found to contain antibodies against the native MPB70 antigen. H-2db mice immunized with native MPB70 in IFA exhibited high titres of peptide-reactive immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibodies, whereas DNA-immunized mice reacted with IgG2a antibodies against some of the same peptides. As some of the epitopes recognized by mouse T and B cells have previously been found to stimulate immune responses in humans, cattle and rabbits, we conclude that these epitopes may be good general epitopes for the stimulation of T- and B-cell responses and candidates for a DNA vaccine with a broad applicability.     

Computational prediction and identification of dengue virus-specific CD4(+) T-cell epitopes

In this study, we tried to identify dengue virus-specific CD4(+) T-cell epitopes, which can induce PBMC (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) isolated from DF convalescent patients (dengue virus type 1 infection) to secrete IFN-gamma. PBMC of DF convalescent patients were stimulated in vitro with dengue virus-derived peptides, which were prepared based on the prediction of dengue virus-specific CD4(+) T-cell epitopes by using RANKpep online software. Subsequently, the frequency of IFN-gamma producing T cells and percentage of IFN-gamma(+) CD4(+) T cells were measured by using ELISPOT assay and ICS assay (intracellular cytokine straining), respectively. The positive response of PBMC by ELISPOT showed that the numbers of SFC (spots forming cells) ranged from 50 to 310 SFC/1x10(6) PBMC. The positive response of PBMC by ICS assay showed that the percentage of IFN-gamma(+) CD4(+) T cells ranged from 0.03 to 0.27%. As a result, C(45-57) (KLVMAFIAFLRFL), E(396-408) (SSIGKMFEATARG), NS3(23-35) (YRILQRGLLGRSQ), and NS3(141-155) (NREGKIVGLYGNGVV) were identified as dengue virus-specific CD4(+) T-cell epitopes.     

Identification of murine T-cell epitopes in Ebola virus nucleoprotein

CD8 T cells play an important role in controlling Ebola infection and in mediating vaccine-induced protective immunity, yet little is known about antigenic targets in Ebola that are recognized by CD8 T cells. Overlapping peptides were used to identify major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted epitopes in mice immunized with vectors encoding Ebola nucleoprotein (NP). CD8 T-cell responses were mapped to a H-2(d)-restricted epitope (NP279-288) and two H-2(b)-restricted epitopes (NP44-52 and NP288-296). The identification of these epitopes will facilitate studies of immune correlates of protection and the evaluation of vaccine strategies in murine models of Ebola infection.