Human T cell responses to the Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) as evaluated by synthetic peptides.
A panel of synthetic peptides derived from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen 1 (EB-NA-1) was used to examine human T cell responses to this antigen. In six of seven normal persons with past EBV infection, T cell precursors specific for five peptides (P27, amino acid residues 83-101;P62, 148-166;E31, 353-367;E41, 368-381; and E11, 461-474) were detectable. The precursor frequencies were in the range of 1:20,000 to less than 1:100,000 peripheral blood mononuclear cells as determined by limiting dilution analyses. Only two of these peptides were predicted as alpha-helices; all peptides were glycine-rich. Four other peptides were not reactive in the seven individuals tested. T cell responses were not detectable in donors without prior EBV infection. Infectious mononucleosis patients investigated 4-6 weeks after diagnosis had likewise no detectable peptide-specific T cell precursors. Thus, it appears that T cells recognizing peptides from EBNA-1 arise and persist in people with past EBV infection.
Petersen
J
J
Research Institute of Scripps Clinic, Department of Basic and Clinical Research, La Jolla, California 92037.
Rhodes
G
G
Patrick
K
K
Roudier
J
J
Vaughan
J H
JH
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D019309:Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens; D010455:Peptides