Identification of a CD4+ T cell epitope within the M protein of a neurotropic coronavirus.
A significant CD4+ T cell response against the transmembrane (M) protein can be detected in the spleens of C57Bl/6 mice infected intraperitoneally with a sublethal injection of the neurotropic JHM strain of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV-JHM), but not in those of mice with the chronic demyelinating encephalomyelitis caused by this virus. With the ultimate goal of determining the role of the M-specific response in the pathogenesis of MHV-JHM-induced neurological diseases, CD4+ T cell epitopes within the M protein were identified using vaccinia virus recombinants expressing truncated forms of the protein and peptides spanning most of the M protein in cell proliferation assays. Peptides covering residues 128-147 contain at least one CD4+ T cell epitope for MHV-JHM. Within this region is a sequence (residues 135-143) which matches the recently described MHC class II I-Ab binding motif. Delineation of this epitope should facilitate analysis of the role of the M-specific CD4+ T cell response in the development of acute and chronic neurological infections caused by MHV-JHM.
Xue
S
S
Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242, USA.
Jaszewski
A
A
Perlman
S
S
D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D000086862:Coronavirus M Proteins; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D006517:Murine hepatitis virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000821:virology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
D000086862:Coronavirus M Proteins; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins