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Xie L, Li Y. Advances in vaccinia virus-based vaccine vectors, with applications in flavivirus vaccine development. Vaccine 2022; 40:7022-7031. [PMID: 36319490 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.10.047] [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: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Historically, virulent variola virus infection caused hundreds of millions of deaths. The smallpox pandemic in human beings has spread for centuries until the advent of the attenuated vaccinia virus (VV) vaccine, which played a crucial role in eradicating the deadly contagious disease. Decades of exploration and utilization have validated the attenuated VV as a promising vaccine vehicle against various lethal viruses. In this review, we focus on the advances in VV-based vaccine vector studies, including construction approaches of recombinant VV, the impact of VV-specific pre-existing immunity on subsequent VV-based vaccines, and antigen-specific immune responses. More specifically, the recombinant VV-based flaviviruses are intensively discussed. Based on the publication data, this review aims to provide valuable insights and guidance for future VV-based vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilan Xie
- College of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan University of Bioengineering, Wuhan, China; Hubei Engineering Research Center of Viral Vector, Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Wuhan, China.
| | - Yaoming Li
- College of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan University of Bioengineering, Wuhan, China; Hubei Engineering Research Center of Viral Vector, Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Wuhan, China.
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2
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Design Strategies and Precautions for Using Vaccinia Virus in Tumor Virotherapy. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10091552. [PMID: 36146629 PMCID: PMC9504998 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10091552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic virotherapy has emerged as a novel form of cancer immunotherapy. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) can directly infect and lyse the tumor cells, and modulate the beneficial immune microenvironment. Vaccinia virus (VACV) is a promising oncolytic vector because of its high safety, easy gene editing, and tumor intrinsic selectivity. To further improve the safety, tumor-targeting ability, and OV-induced cancer-specific immune activation, various approaches have been used to modify OVs. The recombinant oncolytic VACVs with deleting viral virulence factors and/or arming various therapeutic genes have displayed better therapeutic effects in multiple tumor models. Moreover, the combination of OVs with other cancer immunotherapeutic approaches, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cells, has the potential to improve the outcome in cancer patients. This will open up new possibilities for the application of OVs in cancer treatment, especially for personalized cancer therapies.
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Ho TY, Mealiea D, Okamoto L, Stojdl DF, McCart JA. Deletion of immunomodulatory genes as a novel approach to oncolytic vaccinia virus development. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2021; 22:85-97. [PMID: 34514091 PMCID: PMC8411212 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2021.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Vaccinia virus (VV) has emerged as a promising platform for oncolytic virotherapy. Many clinical VV candidates, such as the double-deleted VV, vvDD, are engineered with deletions that enhance viral tumor selectivity based on cellular proliferation rates. An alternative approach is to exploit the dampened interferon-based innate immune responses of tumor cells by deleting one of the many VV immunomodulatory genes expressed to dismantle the antiviral response. We hypothesized that such a VV mutant would be attenuated in non-tumor cells but retain the ability to effectively propagate in and kill tumor cells, yielding a tumor-selective oncolytic VV with significant anti-tumor potency. In this study, we demonstrated that VVs with a deletion in one of several VV immunomodulatory genes (N1L, K1L, K3L, A46R, or A52R) have similar or improved in vitro replication, spread, and cytotoxicity in colon and ovarian cancer cells compared to vvDD. These deletion mutants are tumor selective, and the best performing candidates (ΔK1L, ΔA46R, and ΔA52R VV) are associated with significant improvement in survival, as well as immunomodulation, within the tumor environment. Overall, we show that exploiting the diminished antiviral responses in tumors serves as an effective strategy for generating tumor-selective and potent oncolytic VVs, with important implications in future oncolytic virus (OV) design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Y Ho
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, 280 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - David Mealiea
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, 280 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Stewart Building, 149 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
| | - Lili Okamoto
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, 280 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - David F Stojdl
- Department of Biology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa ON K1H 5B2, Canada
| | - J Andrea McCart
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, 280 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Stewart Building, 149 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
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Improved immune response against HIV-1 Env antigen by enhancing EEV production via a K151E mutation in the A34R gene of replication-competent vaccinia virus Tiantan. Antiviral Res 2018; 153:49-59. [DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Albarnaz JD, Torres AA, Smith GL. Modulating Vaccinia Virus Immunomodulators to Improve Immunological Memory. Viruses 2018; 10:E101. [PMID: 29495547 PMCID: PMC5869494 DOI: 10.3390/v10030101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing frequency of monkeypox virus infections, new outbreaks of other zoonotic orthopoxviruses and concern about the re-emergence of smallpox have prompted research into developing antiviral drugs and better vaccines against these viruses. This article considers the genetic engineering of vaccinia virus (VACV) to enhance vaccine immunogenicity and safety. The virulence, immunogenicity and protective efficacy of VACV strains engineered to lack specific immunomodulatory or host range proteins are described. The ultimate goal is to develop safer and more immunogenic VACV vaccines that induce long-lasting immunological memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas D Albarnaz
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK.
| | - Alice A Torres
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK.
| | - Geoffrey L Smith
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK.
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Deletion of the K1L Gene Results in a Vaccinia Virus That Is Less Pathogenic Due to Muted Innate Immune Responses, yet Still Elicits Protective Immunity. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.00542-17. [PMID: 28490586 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00542-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
All viruses strategically alter the antiviral immune response to their benefit. The vaccinia virus (VACV) K1 protein has multiple immunomodulatory effects in tissue culture models of infection, including NF-κB antagonism. However, the effect of K1 during animal infection is poorly understood. We determined that a K1L-less vaccinia virus (vΔK1L) was less pathogenic than wild-type VACV in intranasal and intradermal models of infection. Decreased pathogenicity was correlated with diminished virus replication in intranasally infected mice. However, in intradermally inoculated ears, vΔK1L replicated to levels nearly identical to those of VACV, implying that the decreased immune response to vΔK1L infection, not virus replication, dictated lesion size. Several lines of evidence support this theory. First, vΔK1L induced slightly less edema than vK1L, as revealed by histopathology and noninvasive quantitative ultrasound technology (QUS). Second, infiltrating immune cell populations were decreased in vΔK1L-infected ears. Third, cytokine and chemokine gene expression was decreased in vΔK1L-infected ears. While these results identified the biological basis for smaller lesions, they remained puzzling; because K1 antagonizes NF-κB in vitro, antiviral gene expression was expected to be higher during vΔK1L infection. Despite these diminished innate immune responses, vΔK1L vaccination induced a protective VACV-specific CD8+ T cell response and protected against a lethal VACV challenge. Thus, vΔK1L is the first vaccinia virus construct reported that caused a muted innate immune gene expression profile and decreased immune cell infiltration in an intradermal model of infection yet still elicited protective immunity.IMPORTANCE The vaccinia virus (VACV) K1 protein inhibits NF-κB activation among its other antagonistic functions. A virus lacking K1 (vΔK1L) was predicted to be less pathogenic because it would trigger a more robust antiviral immune response than VACV. Indeed, vΔK1L was less pathogenic in intradermally infected mouse ear pinnae. However, vΔK1L infection unexpectedly elicited dramatically reduced infiltration of innate immune cells into ears. This was likely due to decreased expression of cytokine and chemokine genes in vΔK1L-infected ears. As such, our finding contradicted observations from cell culture systems. Interestingly, vΔK1L conferred protective immunity against lethal VACV challenge. This suggests that the muted immune response triggered during vΔK1L infection remained sufficient to mount an effective protective response. Our results highlight the complexity and unpredictable nature of virus-host interactions, a relationship that must be understood to better comprehend virus pathogenesis or to manipulate viruses for use as vaccines.
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Unique safety issues associated with virus-vectored vaccines: Potential for and theoretical consequences of recombination with wild type virus strains. Vaccine 2016; 34:6610-6616. [PMID: 27346303 PMCID: PMC5204448 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.04.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In 2003 and 2013, the World Health Organization convened informal consultations on characterization and quality aspects of vaccines based on live virus vectors. In the resulting reports, one of several issues raised for future study was the potential for recombination of virus-vectored vaccines with wild type pathogenic virus strains. This paper presents an assessment of this issue formulated by the Brighton Collaboration. To provide an appropriate context for understanding the potential for recombination of virus-vectored vaccines, we review briefly the current status of virus-vectored vaccines, mechanisms of recombination between viruses, experience with recombination involving live attenuated vaccines in the field, and concerns raised previously in the literature regarding recombination of virus-vectored vaccines with wild type virus strains. We then present a discussion of the major variables that could influence recombination between a virus-vectored vaccine and circulating wild type virus and the consequences of such recombination, including intrinsic recombination properties of the parent virus used as a vector; sequence relatedness of vector and wild virus; virus host range, pathogenesis and transmission; replication competency of vector in target host; mechanism of vector attenuation; additional factors potentially affecting virulence; and circulation of multiple recombinant vectors in the same target population. Finally, we present some guiding principles for vector design and testing intended to anticipate and mitigate the potential for and consequences of recombination of virus-vectored vaccines with wild type pathogenic virus strains.
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Improved safety of a replication-competent poxvirus-based HIV vaccine with the introduction of the HSV-TK/GCV suicide gene system. Vaccine 2016; 34:3447-53. [PMID: 27195760 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Revised: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Replication-competent vaccinia viruses (VACVs) show prolonged antigen expression time and greater stimulation of immune responses than their replication-incompetent counterparts. However, there is the potential risk of serious post-vaccination complications, especially for children and immunocompromised individuals, leading to safety concerns about the reintroduction of VACV as a vaccine vector. In this study, we improved the safety of the vaccinia virus TianTan (VACV-TT) based HIV vaccine by introducing the HSV-TK/GCV suicide gene system, which is composed of the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase gene (HSV-tk) and the antiviral drug ganciclovir (GCV). MATERIALS AND METHODS By inserting the HSV-tk gene into the replication-competent VACV-TT genome, a new vector, TT-TK (VACV-TT expressing the HSV-tk gene), and a candidate vaccine, TT-EnvTK (TT-TK expressing the HIV-1 env gene), were constructed. RESULTS The new vector TT-TK exhibited reduced replication capacity both in vitro and in vivo in the presence of GCV. GCV inhibited the replication of TT-TK in the brains of mice and skin of rabbits, and provided 100% protection in mice against lethal challenge with TT-TK at a dose of 80mg/kg/day. Furthermore, the candidate vaccine TT-EnvTK induced cellular and humoral immunity against HIV-1 antigen that was comparable to the immunity induced by VTKgpe (VACV-TT expressing HIV-1 env, gag, and pol genes). DISCUSSION These promising results suggest a new strategy to mitigate the potential risk of post-vaccination complications from replication-competent VACV-based HIV vaccines.
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Li Y, Sheng Y, Chu Y, Ji H, Jiang S, Lan T, Li M, Chen S, Fan Y, Li W, Li X, Sun L, Jin N. Seven major genomic deletions of vaccinia virus Tiantan strain are sufficient to decrease pathogenicity. Antiviral Res 2016; 129:1-12. [PMID: 26821204 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2016.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Revised: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Attenuated strain TTVAC7, as a multi-gene-deleted vaccinia virus Tiantan strain (VTT), was constructed by knocking out parts of non-essential genes related to virulence, host range and immunomodulation of VTT, and by combining double marker screening with exogenous selectable marker knockout techniques. In this study, shuttle vector plasmids pTC-EGFP, pTA35-EGFP, pTA66-EGFP, pTE-EGFP, pTB-EGFP, pTI-EGFP and pTJ-EGFP were constructed, which contained seven pairs of recombinant arms linked to the early and late strong promoter pE/L, as well as to enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) as an exogenous selectable marker. BHK cells were co-transfected/infected successively with the above plasmids and VTT or gene-deleted VTT, and homologous recombination and fluorescence plaque screening methods were used to knock out the gene fragments (TC: TC7L ∼ TK2L; TA35: TA35L; TA66: TA66R; TE: TE3L ∼ TE4L; TB: TB13R; TI: TI4L; TJ: TJ2R). The Cre/LoxP system was then applied to knock out the exogenous selectable marker, and ultimately the gene-deleted attenuated strain TTVAC7 was obtained. A series of in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that not only the host range of TTVAC7 could be narrowed and its toxicity weakened significantly, but its high immunogenicity was maintained at the same time. These results support the potential of TTVAC7 to be developed as a safe viral vector or vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiquan Li
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun 130122, PR China; Jiang su Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, PR China
| | - Yuan Sheng
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun 130122, PR China; Jiang su Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, PR China
| | - Yunjie Chu
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun 130122, PR China; The Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Huifan Ji
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun 130122, PR China; Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Shuang Jiang
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun 130122, PR China; Jiang su Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, PR China
| | - Tian Lan
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun 130122, PR China; Jiang su Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, PR China
| | - Min Li
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun 130122, PR China; Jiang su Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, PR China
| | - Shuang Chen
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun 130122, PR China; Jiang su Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Fan
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun 130122, PR China; Jiang su Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, PR China
| | - Wenjie Li
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun 130122, PR China; The Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130021, PR China
| | - Xiao Li
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun 130122, PR China; Jiang su Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, PR China.
| | - Lili Sun
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun 130122, PR China; Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Tumor Hospital of Jilin Province, Changchun 130012, PR China.
| | - Ningyi Jin
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun 130122, PR China; Jiang su Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, PR China; Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Tumor Hospital of Jilin Province, Changchun 130012, PR China.
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Comparison of the replication characteristics of vaccinia virus strains Guang 9 and Tian Tan in vivo and in vitro. Arch Virol 2014; 159:2587-96. [PMID: 24838849 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-014-2079-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Vaccinia virus is widely used as a vector in the development of recombinant vaccines. Vaccinia virus strain Guang 9 (VG9), which was derived from vaccinia virus strain Tian Tan (VTT) by successive plaque-cloning purification, was more attenuated than VTT. In this study, the host cell range and the growth and replication of VG9 were compared with those of VTT. The results showed that both VG9 and VTT could infect permissive cells (Vero, TK-143 and CEF) and semipermissive cells PK (15) and induced a visible cytopathic effect (CPE). Both strains could infect nonpermissive CHO-K1 cells but neither was able to reproduce. The replicative ability of VG9 was a little lower than that of VTT. Additionally, recombinant vaccinia viruses containing a firefly luciferase gene (VG9-L and VTT-L) were constructed, and their expression in vitro and replication and spread in vivo were compared. The expression ability of VG9-L was lower than that of VTT-L. Whole-animal imaging data indicated that VG9-L could reproduce quickly and express the exogenous protein at the site of inoculation, regardless of whether the intramuscular, intracutaneous, subcutaneous or celiac inoculation route was used. VG9-L was better in its ability to express a foreign protein than VTT-L, but the time during which expression occurred was shorter. There was no dissemination of virus in mice inoculated with either strain. In summary, this study demonstrates the possibility of using VG9 for the production of smallpox vaccines or the construction of recombinant vaccinia virus vaccines.
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Short peptide sequence identity between human viruses and HLA-B27-binding human 'self' peptides. Theory Biosci 2013; 133:79-89. [PMID: 24362932 DOI: 10.1007/s12064-013-0196-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Molecular mimicry and arthritogenic peptides form the basis of hypotheses that attempt to explain the pathogenesis of HLA-B27-positive ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We propose, therefore, that certain human viruses may possess peptide sequences that mimic HLA-B27-binding human 'self' peptides which might induce or play a significant role in AS. In the present study, we performed bioinformatic analysis, using BLASTP, of the human virus proteome and HLA-B27-binding human 'self' peptides including peptides derived from arthritogenic sequences. We identified that some HLA-B27-binding peptides, particularly those present in proteins of the cartilage and bone, are highly similar to those present in viruses known to cause chronic infection. We suggest that the identical short amino acid sequences shared between human viruses and HLA-B27 peptides may play a role in the pathogenesis of AS.
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