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Motozono C, Toyoda M, Tan TS, Hamana H, Goto Y, Aritsu Y, Miyashita Y, Oshiumi H, Nakamura K, Okada S, Udaka K, Kitamatsu M, Kishi H, Ueno T. The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 spike G446S mutation potentiates antiviral T-cell recognition. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5440. [PMID: 36130929 PMCID: PMC9492656 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33068-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus shows resistance to neutralizing antibody, it retains susceptibility to the cellular immune response. Here we characterize vaccine-induced T cells specific for various SARS-CoV-2 variants and identified HLA-A*24:02-restricted CD8+ T cells that strongly suppress Omicron BA.1 replication in vitro. Mutagenesis analyses revealed that a G446S mutation, located just outside the N-terminus of the cognate epitope, augmented TCR recognition of this variant. In contrast, no enhanced suppression of replication is observed against cells infected with the prototype, Omicron BA.2, and Delta variants that express G446. The enhancing effect of the G446S mutation is lost when target cells are treated with inhibitors of tripeptidyl peptidase II, a protein that mediates antigen processing. These ex vivo analysis and in vitro results demonstrate that the G446S mutation in the Omicron BA.1 variant affects antigen processing/presentation and potentiates antiviral activity by vaccine-induced T cells, leading to enhanced T cell recognition towards emerging variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Motozono
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 8600811, Japan.
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, 5650871, Japan.
| | - Mako Toyoda
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 8600811, Japan
| | - Toong Seng Tan
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 8600811, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Hamana
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, 9300194, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Goto
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 8600811, Japan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 8608556, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Aritsu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, Osaka, 577-8502, Japan
| | - Yusuke Miyashita
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 8608556, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 8608556, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Oshiumi
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 8608556, Japan
| | - Kimitoshi Nakamura
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 8608556, Japan
| | - Seiji Okada
- Division of Hematopoiesis, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 8600811, Japan
| | - Keiko Udaka
- Department of Immunology, Kochi University, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
| | - Mizuki Kitamatsu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, Osaka, 577-8502, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kishi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, 9300194, Japan
| | - Takamasa Ueno
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 8600811, Japan.
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Development of a novel monoclonal antibody that binds to most HLA-A allomorphs in a conformation-dependent yet peptide-promiscuous fashion. Immunogenetics 2020; 72:143-153. [PMID: 31970435 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-020-01154-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Specificity analyses of peptide binding to human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A molecules have been hampered due to a lack of proper monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for certain allomorphs, such as the prevalent HLA-A1 for Caucasians and HLA-A11 for Asians. We developed a mAb that recognizes a conformational epitope common to most HLA-A allomorphs. The mAb, named A-1, does not discriminate peptides by amino acid sequences, making it suitable for measuring peptide binding. A stabilization assay using TAP-deficient cell lines and A-1 was developed to investigate the specificity of peptide binding to HLA-A molecules. Regarding the evolution of HLA-A genes, the A-1 epitope has been conserved among most HLA-A allomorphs but was lost when the HLA-A gene diversified into the HLA-A*32, HLA-A*31, and HLA-A*33 lineages together with HLA-A*29 after bifurcating from the HLA-A*25 and HLA-A*26 branchs. The establishment of A-1 is expected to help researchers investigate the peptide repertoire and develop computational tools to identify cognate peptides. Since no HLA-A locus-specific mAb has been available, A-1 will also be useful for analyzing the locus-specific regulation of the HLA gene expression.
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3
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Khan AA, Srivastava R, Chentoufi AA, Kritzer E, Chilukuri S, Garg S, Yu DC, Vahed H, Huang L, Syed SA, Furness JN, Tran TT, Anthony NB, McLaren CE, Sidney J, Sette A, Noelle RJ, BenMohamed L. Bolstering the Number and Function of HSV-1-Specific CD8 + Effector Memory T Cells and Tissue-Resident Memory T Cells in Latently Infected Trigeminal Ganglia Reduces Recurrent Ocular Herpes Infection and Disease. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 199:186-203. [PMID: 28539429 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1700145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
HSV type 1 (HSV-1) is a prevalent human pathogen that infects >3.72 billion individuals worldwide and can cause potentially blinding recurrent corneal herpetic disease. HSV-1 establishes latency within sensory neurons of trigeminal ganglia (TG), and TG-resident CD8+ T cells play a critical role in preventing its reactivation. The repertoire, phenotype, and function of protective CD8+ T cells are unknown. Bolstering the apparent feeble numbers of CD8+ T cells in TG remains a challenge for immunotherapeutic strategies. In this study, a comprehensive panel of 467 HLA-A*0201-restricted CD8+ T cell epitopes was predicted from the entire HSV-1 genome. CD8+ T cell responses to these genome-wide epitopes were compared in HSV-1-seropositive symptomatic individuals (with a history of numerous episodes of recurrent herpetic disease) and asymptomatic (ASYMP) individuals (who are infected but never experienced any recurrent herpetic disease). Frequent polyfunctional HSV-specific IFN-γ+CD107a/b+CD44highCD62LlowCD8+ effector memory T cells were detected in ASYMP individuals and were primarily directed against three "ASYMP" epitopes. In contrast, symptomatic individuals have more monofunctional CD44highCD62LhighCD8+ central memory T cells. Furthermore, therapeutic immunization with an innovative prime/pull vaccine, based on priming with multiple ASYMP epitopes (prime) and neurotropic TG delivery of the T cell-attracting chemokine CXCL10 (pull), boosted the number and function of CD44highCD62LlowCD8+ effector memory T cells and CD103highCD8+ tissue-resident T cells in TG of latently infected HLA-A*0201-transgenic mice and reduced recurrent ocular herpes following UV-B-induced reactivation. These findings have profound implications in the development of T cell-based immunotherapeutic strategies to treat blinding recurrent herpes infection and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arif A Khan
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Ruchi Srivastava
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Aziz A Chentoufi
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Elizabeth Kritzer
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Sravya Chilukuri
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Sumit Garg
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - David C Yu
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Hawa Vahed
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Lei Huang
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Sabrina A Syed
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Julie N Furness
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Tien T Tran
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Nesburn B Anthony
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Christine E McLaren
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - John Sidney
- Department of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Alessandro Sette
- Department of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Randolph J Noelle
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03755
| | - Lbachir BenMohamed
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697; .,Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697; and.,Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697
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Abdel-Hady KM, Gutierrez AH, Terry F, Desrosiers J, De Groot AS, Azzazy HME. Identification and retrospective validation of T-cell epitopes in the hepatitis C virus genotype 4 proteome: an accelerated approach toward epitope-driven vaccine development. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2015; 10:2366-77. [PMID: 25424944 DOI: 10.4161/hv.29177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
With over 150 million people chronically infected worldwide and millions more infected annually, hepatitis C continues to pose a burden on the global healthcare system. The standard therapy of hepatitis C remains expensive, with severe associated side effects and inconsistent cure rates. Vaccine development against the hepatitis C virus has been hampered by practical and biological challenges posed by viral evasion mechanisms. Despite these challenges, HCV vaccine research has presented a number of candidate vaccines that progressed to phase II trials. However, those efforts focused mainly on HCV genotypes 1 and 2 as vaccine targets and barely enough attention was given to genotype 4, the variant most prevalent in the Middle East and central Africa. We describe herein the in silico identification of highly conserved and immunogenic T-cell epitopes from the HCV genotype 4 proteome, using the iVAX immunoinformatics toolkit, as targets for an epitope-driven vaccine. We also describe a fast and inexpensive approach for results validation using the empirical data on the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) as a reference. Our analysis identified 90 HLA class I epitopes of which 20 were found to be novel and 19 more had their binding predictions retrospectively validated; empirical data for the remaining 51 epitopes was insufficient to validate their binding predictions. Our analysis also identified 14 HLA class II epitopes, of which 8 had most of their binding predictions validated. Further investigation is required regarding the efficacy of the identified epitopes as vaccine targets in populations where HCV genotype 4 is most prevalent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim M Abdel-Hady
- a Department of Chemistry; School of Sciences and Engineering; The American University in Cairo; New Cairo, Egypt
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5
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Ratnoglik SL, Jiang DP, Aoki C, Sudarmono P, Shoji I, Deng L, Hotta H. Induction of cell-mediated immune responses in mice by DNA vaccines that express hepatitis C virus NS3 mutants lacking serine protease and NTPase/RNA helicase activities. PLoS One 2014; 9:e98877. [PMID: 24901478 PMCID: PMC4046998 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2013] [Accepted: 05/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective therapeutic vaccines against virus infection must induce sufficient levels of cell-mediated immune responses against the target viral epitopes and also must avoid concomitant risk factors, such as potential carcinogenic properties. The nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) carries a variety of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell epitopes, and induces strong HCV-specific T cell responses, which are correlated with viral clearance and resolution of acute HCV infection. On the other hand, NS3 possesses serine protease and nucleoside triphosphatase (NTPase)/RNA helicase activities, which not only play important roles in viral life cycle but also concomitantly interfere with host defense mechanisms by deregulating normal cellular functions. In this study, we constructed a series of DNA vaccines that express NS3 of HCV. To avoid the potential harm of NS3, we introduced mutations to the catalytic triad of the serine protease (H57A, D81A and S139A) and the NTPase/RNA helicase domain (K210N, F444A, R461Q and W501A) to eliminate the enzymatic activities. Immunization of BALB/c mice with each of the DNA vaccine candidates (pNS3[S139A/K210N], pNS3[S139A/F444A], pNS3[S139A/R461Q] and pNS3[S139A/W501A]) that expresses an NS3 mutant lacking both serine protease and NTPase/helicase activities induced T cell immune responses to the degree comparable to that induced by the wild type NS3 and the NS3/4A complex, as demonstrated by interferon-γ production and cytotoxic T lymphocytes activities against NS3. The present study has demonstrated that plasmids expressing NS3 mutants, NS3(S139A/K210N), NS3(S139A/F444A), NS3(S139A/R461Q) and NS3(S139A/W501A), which lack both serine protease and NTPase/RNA helicase activities, would be good candidates for safe and efficient therapeutic DNA vaccines against HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suratno Lulut Ratnoglik
- Division of Microbiology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Da-Peng Jiang
- Division of Microbiology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Chie Aoki
- Division of Microbiology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
- JST/JICA SATREPS Laboratory of Kobe University, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | | | - Ikuo Shoji
- Division of Microbiology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Lin Deng
- Division of Microbiology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Hak Hotta
- Division of Microbiology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Takei S, Omoto C, Kitagawa K, Morishita N, Katayama T, Shigemura K, Fujisawa M, Kawabata M, Hotta H, Shirakawa T. Oral administration of genetically modified Bifidobacterium displaying HCV-NS3 multi-epitope fusion protein could induce an HCV-NS3-specific systemic immune response in mice. Vaccine 2014; 32:3066-74. [PMID: 24657718 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2013] [Revised: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
More than 170 million people worldwide are chronic HCV (Hepatitis C virus) carriers, and about 30% of them will develop progressive liver disease, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. A combination of pegylated interferon-α with ribavirin, the standard treatment for HCV infection, has been effective in fewer than 50% of patients infected with HCV genotype 1. A strong T cell response against the nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) is important for recovery from acute HCV infection, and an early multi-specific CD4+ helper and CD8+ cytotoxic T cell response is critical for HCV clearance. In the present study, we successfully constructed a genetically modified Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum) displaying recombinant HCV-NS3 peptides containing some CD4 and CD8 epitopes located in the HCV-NS3 region as an oral vaccine against chronic HCV infection. The oral administration of this vaccine could induce NS3-specific immune responses in mice through intestinal mucosal immunity. Our findings suggest that this novel oral vaccine has great potential as a novel oral vaccine against chronic HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saki Takei
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Chika Omoto
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Department of International Health, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, Japan
| | - Koichi Kitagawa
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Department of International Health, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, Japan
| | - Naoya Morishita
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Takane Katayama
- Research Institute for Bioresources and Biotechnology, Ishikawa Prefectural University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Katsumi Shigemura
- Department of Surgery Related Urology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Masato Fujisawa
- Department of Surgery Related Urology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Masato Kawabata
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan; Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Hak Hotta
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan; Division of Microbiology, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Toshiro Shirakawa
- Division of Infectious Disease Control, Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan; Division of Infectious Disease Control, Department of International Health, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, Japan; Center for Infectious Diseases, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan; Department of Surgery Related Urology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.
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7
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Guo Z, Zhang H, Rao H, Jiang D, Cong X, Feng B, Wang J, Wei L, Chen H. DCs pulsed with novel HLA-A2-restricted CTL epitopes against hepatitis C virus induced a broadly reactive anti-HCV-specific T lymphocyte response. PLoS One 2012; 7:e38390. [PMID: 22701633 PMCID: PMC3373515 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0038390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2012] [Accepted: 05/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To determine the capacity of dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with single or multiple-peptide mixtures of novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) epitopes to stimulate HCV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) effector functions. Methods A bioinformatics approach was used to predict HLA-A2-restricted HCV-specific CTL epitopes, and the predicted peptides identified from this screen were synthesized. Subsequent IFN-γ ELISPOT analysis detected the stimulating function of these peptides in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from both chronic and self-limited HCV infected subjects (subjects exhibiting spontaneous HCV clearance). Mature DCs, derived in vitro from CD14+ monocytes harvested from the study subjects by incubation with appropriate cytokine cocktails, were loaded with novel peptide or epitope peptide mixtures and co-cultured with autologous T lymphocytes. Granzyme B (GrB) and IFN-γ ELISPOT analysis was used to test for epitope-specific CTL responses. T-cell-derived cytokines contained in the co-cultured supernatant were detected by flow cytometry. Results We identified 7 novel HLA-A2-restricted HCV-specific CTL epitopes that increased the frequency of IFN-γ-producing T cells compared to other epitopes, as assayed by measuring spot forming cells (SFCs). Two epitopes had the strongest stimulating capability in the self-limited subjects, one found in the E2 and one in the NS2 region of HCV; five epitopes had a strong stimulating capacity in both chronic and self-limited HCV infection, but were stronger in the self-limited subjects. They were distributed in E2, NS2, NS3, NS4, and NS5 regions of HCV, respectively. We also found that mDCs loaded with novel peptide mixtures could significantly increase GrB and IFN-γ SFCs as compared to single peptides, especially in chronic HCV infection subjects. Additionally, we found that DCs pulsed with multiple epitope peptide mixtures induced a Th1-biased immune response. Conclusions Seven novel and strongly stimulating HLA-A2-restricted HCV-specific CTL epitopes were identified. Furthermore, DCs loaded with multiple-epitope peptide mixtures induced epitope-specific CTLs responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongsheng Guo
- Hepatology Institute, Peking University, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Henghui Zhang
- Hepatology Institute, Peking University, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Huiying Rao
- Hepatology Institute, Peking University, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Jiang
- Hepatology Institute, Peking University, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Cong
- Hepatology Institute, Peking University, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Feng
- Hepatology Institute, Peking University, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Jianghua Wang
- Hepatology Institute, Peking University, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Lai Wei
- Hepatology Institute, Peking University, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Hongsong Chen
- Hepatology Institute, Peking University, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing, China
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Bi J, Song R, Yang H, Li B, Fan J, Liu Z, Long C. Stepwise identification of HLA-A*0201-restricted CD8+ T-cell epitope peptides from herpes simplex virus type 1 genome boosted by a StepRank scheme. Biopolymers 2011; 96:328-39. [PMID: 21072852 DOI: 10.1002/bip.21564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Identification of immunodominant epitopes is the first step in the rational design of peptide vaccines aimed at T-cell immunity. To date, however, it is yet a great challenge for accurately predicting the potent epitope peptides from a pool of large-scale candidates with an efficient manner. In this study, a method that we named StepRank has been developed for the reliable and rapid prediction of binding capabilities/affinities between proteins and genome-wide peptides. In this procedure, instead of single strategy used in most traditional epitope identification algorithms, four steps with different purposes and thus different computational demands are employed in turn to screen the large-scale peptide candidates that are normally generated from, for example, pathogenic genome. The steps 1 and 2 aim at qualitative exclusion of typical nonbinders by using empirical rule and linear statistical approach, while the steps 3 and 4 focus on quantitative examination and prediction of the interaction energy profile and binding affinity of peptide to target protein via quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) and structure-based free energy analysis. We exemplify this method through its application to binding predictions of the peptide segments derived from the 76 known open-reading frames (ORFs) of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) genome with or without affinity to human major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) molecule HLA-A*0201, and find that the predictive results are well compatible with the classical anchor residue theory and perfectly match for the extended motif pattern of MHC I-binding peptides. The putative epitopes are further confirmed by comparisons with 11 experimentally measured HLA-A*0201-restrcited peptides from the HSV-1 glycoproteins D and K. We expect that this well-designed scheme can be applied in the computational screening of other viral genomes as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjun Bi
- Department of Dermatology, General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command of PLA, Guangzhou, China
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9
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Duan L, Lei P, Yumei X, Xiaoping X, Futao Z, Li M, Xin W, Jiuping W, Xuefan B, Zhansheng J. Prediction and identification-based prediction of Chinese hepatitis C viral-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes. J Med Virol 2011; 83:1315-20. [DOI: 10.1002/jmv.22053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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10
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Immune response of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and possibility of vaccine development for hepatitis C virus infection. J Biomed Biotechnol 2010; 2010:263810. [PMID: 20508848 PMCID: PMC2874944 DOI: 10.1155/2010/263810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2009] [Revised: 01/25/2010] [Accepted: 03/15/2010] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune responses of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are implicated in viral eradication and the pathogenesis of hepatitis C. Weak CTL response against hepatitis C virus (HCV) may lead to a persistent infection. HCV infection impairs the function of HCV-specific CTLs; HCV proteins are thought to actively suppress host immune responses, including CTLs. Induction of a strong HCV-specific CTL response in HCV-infected patients can facilitate complete HCV clearance. Thus, the development of a vaccine that can induce potent CTL response against HCV is strongly expected. We investigated HCV-specific CTL responses by enzyme-linked immuno-spot assay and/or synthetic peptides and identified over 40 novel CTL epitopes in the HCV protein. Our findings may contribute to the development of the HCV vaccine. In this paper, we describe the CTL responses in HCV infection and the attempts at vaccine development based on recent scientific articles.
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11
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Zhang X, Dou J, Germann MW. Characterization of the cellular immune response in hepatitis C virus infection. Med Res Rev 2010; 29:843-66. [PMID: 19378287 DOI: 10.1002/med.20157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a hepatotropic RNA virus, is a major causative agent of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinomas. The host immune responses, especially cellular immune responses, play an important role in viral clearance, liver injury, and persistent HCV infection. A thorough characterization of the HCV cellular immune responses is important for understanding the interplays between host immune system and viral components, as well as for developing effective therapeutic and prophylactic HCV vaccines. Recent advances that provide better understanding the cell immune responses in HCV infection are summarized in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjian Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
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12
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Niu Y, Komatsu N, Komohara Y, Matsueda S, Yutani S, Ishihara Y, Itou M, Yamada A, Itoh K, Shichijo S. A peptide derived from hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein inducing cellular responses in patients with HCV with various HLA class IA alleles. J Med Virol 2009; 81:1232-40. [PMID: 19475615 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.21518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
C35-44 peptide is a well known HLA-A2-restricted CTL epitope originating from hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein. It was reported that the majority of HCV positive patients had significant levels of serum IgG specific to this peptide. This study addressed whether C35-44 peptide could induce CTL activity restricted to various HLA class IA alleles or could not. This peptide demonstrated binding activity to HLA-A*2402, -A*2601, -A*3101, and -A*3303 molecules, but not to HLA-A*1101 by means of stabilization assay. This peptide also induced CTL activity restricted to each of them, except HLA-A11(+) peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HCV 1b(+) patients by means of (51)Cr-release assay. With regard to HLA-A2 subtypes, this peptide demonstrated binding activity to HLA-A*0201 and -A*0206, but not to -A*0207 molecules. Furthermore, this peptide induced CTL activity from both the patients and healthy donors with all the HLA class IA molecules mentioned above by means of interferon-gamma production assay. These results may provide new insights for the development of a novel peptide vaccine against HCV compatible with various HLA class IA types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamei Niu
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
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Gohara S, Shichijo S, Komatsu N, Okuda S, Yutani S, Itoh K. Detection of IgE antibody specific to a hepatitis C virus-derived peptide being recognized by cellular immunity in patients with HCV infection. Viral Immunol 2008; 21:365-9. [PMID: 18788944 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2008.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The determination of immunogenic peptides of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is pivotal for vaccine development. We previously reported that the majority of patients infected with HCV have significant levels of IgG specific to an HCV-derived peptide at positions 35-44 of core protein (C35-44), a major epitope recognized by cellular immunity. This study addresses whether or not the other subclasses of immunoglobulins to this peptide exist. As a result, IgE, but not IgM or IgA, specific to this peptide is consistently detectable in the majority of patients with HCV infection, regardless of the different HLA types and disease conditions. These results provide additional information on this immunogenic peptide with new insights that contribute to a better understanding of host responses to HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shojiro Gohara
- Department of Immunology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
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