Identification and characterisation of multiple linear B cell protectopes in the respiratory syncytial virus G protein.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important respiratory pathogen in man, against which no vaccine is available. However, recent evidence suggests that antibodies to the RSV F and G proteins may play an important role in disease prevention. We previously demonstrated that BBG2Na, a subunit vaccine candidate including residues 130-230 of the Long strain G protein, protects rodents against RSV challenge. Using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAb) and synthetic peptides, five linear B cell epitopes were identified that mapped to residues 152-163, 165-172, 171-187 (two over-lapping epitopes) and 196-204. Antibody passive transfer and peptide immunisation studies revealed that all were protective. Pepscan analyses of anti-RSV-A and BBG2Na murine polyclonal sera suggested stronger immunogenicity of some protective epitopes (protectopes) in the context of BBG2Na compared with live virus. However, all the identified murine B cell protectopes were conserved in RSV seropositive humans. Should these protectopes correspond with protection in humans, BBG2Na may constitute a very interesting vaccine candidate against RSV.
Centre d'Immunologie Pierre Fabre, 74164 Cedex, Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, France. ultan.power@pierre-fabre.com
U F
UF
Power
H
H
Plotnicky-Gilquin
L
L
Goetsch
T
T
Champion
A
A
Beck
J F
JF
Haeuw
T N
TN
Nguyen
J Y
JY
Bonnefoy
N
N
Corvaïa
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018604:Epitope Mapping; D000939:Epitopes; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D022223:Vaccines, Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000939:Epitopes; D022223:Vaccines, Subunit; D014764:Viral Proteins; D014765:Viral Vaccines