Localization and diagnostic application of immunodominant domains of the BFRF3-encoded Epstein-Barr virus capsid protein.
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) open reading frame BFRF3 encodes a viral structural capsid protein or tegument protein, VCA p18, that is highly immunogenic in humans. In this study, a cluster of immunodominant epitopes in the C-terminus of VCA p18 has been identified. These epitopes were combined into a single synthetic peptide that was analyzed for diagnostic value in an ELISA. This VCA combined peptide appeared to be an excellent VCA marker with remarkable applications for IgG- and IgM-related EBV diagnostics. The combined peptide reacted with 95% of 159 sera that were IgG VCA-positive by immunofluorescence assay. In addition, 95% of sera from 67 persons with confirmed infectious mononucleosis were positive for IgM antibodies to this VCA combined peptide. An IgG-specific seroconversion could be demonstrated by subsequent serum samples during the acute phase of primary EBV infections. Although 97% of the tested sera from nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients had IgG antibodies reacting positively with the VCA combined peptide, only 61% contained IgA anti-VCA combined peptide.
Biotechnology and Methodology Research Unit, Organon Teknika, Boxtel, Netherlands.
W M
WM
van Grunsven
W J
WJ
Spaan
J M
JM
Middeldorp
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D002213:Capsid / Q000276:immunology*; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes / Q000032:analysis; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; C041788:Epstein-Barr viral capsid antigen; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes