Characterization of a new H-2D(k)-restricted epitope prominent in primary influenza A virus infection.
Influenza A virus infection of mice has been used extensively as a model to investigate the mechanisms of antigen presentation to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and the phenomenon of immunodominance in antiviral CTL responses. The different virus-encoded epitopes that are recognized in H-2(b) and H-2(d) mice have been characterized and their relative immunodominance has been well-studied. In H-2(k) mice, four different K(k)-restricted influenza virus epitopes have been described, but the dominance hierarchy of these epitopes is unknown and there is also an uncharacterized D(k)-restricted response against the virus. In this study, a D(k)-restricted epitope derived from the influenza virus A/PR/8/34 polymerase protein PB1, corresponding to amino acid residues 349-357 (ARLGKGYMF), was identified. This peptide is the major epitope within the PB1 polymerase and is at least as dominant as any of the four K(k)-restricted epitopes that are recognized in CBA mice following primary influenza virus infection. The PB1 epitope is only the fourth D(k)-presented peptide to be reported and the sequence of this epitope confirms a D(k)-restricted peptide motif, consisting of arginine at position two, arginine or lysine at position five and a hydrophobic residue at the carboxy terminus.
Tourdot
Sophie
S
Department of Immunology, Imperial College School of Medicine (St Mary's Campus), Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK1.
Herath
Shan
S
Department of Immunology, Imperial College School of Medicine (St Mary's Campus), Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK1.
Gould
Keith G
KG
Department of Immunology, Imperial College School of Medicine (St Mary's Campus), Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK1.
D000818:Animals; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D064532:Histocompatibility Antigen H-2D; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000276:immunology; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D006183:H-2 Antigens; D064532:Histocompatibility Antigen H-2D; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes; D010455:Peptides; D014764:Viral Proteins; C077346:influenza virus polymerase basic protein 1; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase