Specificity of CD8+ T cells from subunit-vaccinated and infected H-2b mice recognizing the 38 kDa antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
CD8+ T cells have been implicated in protective anti-tuberculous immune responses, but little is known about the identity of mycobacterial antigens recognized by CD8+ T cells. In this study we identified the Mycobacterium tuberculosis 38 kDa protein as a target for murine CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) which were induced by vaccination of C57BL/6 mice with DNA delivered with a plasmid, with transfected tumour cells or by infection with tubercle bacilli. Using overlapping synthetic peptides covering the whole protein sequence, peptides predicted to contain H-2Kb or H-2Db motifs, as well as naturally processed peptides, we were able to identify CTL epitopes. Differences were demonstrated in peptide specificity between CTL from immunized or M. tuberculosis-infected mice. The identified CTL epitopes could be important for future analysis of the involvement of CD8+ T cells in M. tuberculosis infections and for vaccine development.
Zhu
X
X
MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Tuberculosis and Related Infections Unit, London, UK.
Stauss
H J
HJ
Ivanyi
J
J
Vordermeier
H M
HM
D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D064532:Histocompatibility Antigen H-2D; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology*; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D014162:Transfection; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000939:Epitopes; D006183:H-2 Antigens; C032876:H-2Kb protein, mouse; D064532:Histocompatibility Antigen H-2D; D019444:Vaccines, DNA