title: Identification of an HLA A*0201-restricted CD8(+) T-cell epitope for the glycoprotein B homolog of human herpesvirus 8.
abstract: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8; Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus)-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) responses to proteins produced during the lytic cycle of HHV-8 replication are mediated by HLA class I-restricted, CD8(+) T cells. We have characterized the fine specificity of the CD8(+) T-cell response to 25 peptides derived from 5 HHV-8 lytic cycle proteins based on a prediction model for HLA A*0201 binding motifs. One of the 25 HLA A*0201 peptides derived from the glycoprotein B (gB) homolog of Epstein-Barr virus (gB(492-500); LMWYELSKI; single-letter amino acid codes) bound to HLA A*0201 and stimulated IFN-gamma responses in CD8(+) T cells from HHV-8(+), HLA A*0201 persons, but not HHV-8-seronegative or non-HLA A*0201 persons. The peptide also induced IFN-gamma and CTL reactivity to naturally processed gB protein. The peptide was a major immunogenic epitope of HHV-8 as indicated by induction of IFN-gamma responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 5 of 5 HHV-8 seropositive, HLA A*0201 persons when gB(492-500) was presented by autologous dendritic cells. T-cell reactivity to gB(492-500) was not related to detectable HHV-8 DNA in the blood. These data show that CD8(+) T cells recognize an HLA A*0201-restricted epitope for HHV-8 lytic cycle protein gB, particularly when presented by dendritic cells. This epitope may be important in control of HHV-8 infection by CD8(+) T cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA.
authors.forename: Qiong J
authors.initials: QJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiao-Li
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rappocciolo
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Hildebrand
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Elaine K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Charles R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Rinaldo
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D015234:HLA-A Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015789:HLA-A2 Antigen; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D015234:HLA-A Antigens; C435939:HLA-A*02:01 antigen; D015789:HLA-A2 Antigen; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C116207:glycoprotein B, human herpesvirus 8; D007371:Interferon-gamma