title: Identification of immunodominant epitopes derived from the respiratory syncytial virus fusion protein that are recognized by human CD4 T cells.
abstract: Memory CD4 T-cell responses against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy blood donors with gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunospot (Elispot) assays. RSV-specific responses were detected in every donor at levels varying between 0.05 and 0.3% of CD4 T cells. For all donors tested, a considerable component of the CD4 T-cell response was directed against the fusion (F) protein of RSV. We characterized a set of 31 immunodominant antigenic peptides targeted by CD4 T cells in the context of the most prevalent HLA class II molecules within the Caucasian population. Most antigenic peptides were HLA-DR restricted, whereas two dominant DQ peptides were also identified. The antigenic peptides identified were located across the entire sequence of the F protein. Several peptides were presented by more than one major histocompatibility complex class II molecule. Furthermore, most donors recognized several F peptides. Detailed knowledge about immunodominant antigenic peptides will facilitate the ability to monitor CD4 T-cell responses in patients and the measurement of correlates of protection in vaccinated subjects.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Vaccine Research, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. G.vanbleek@wkz.azu.nl
authors.forename: Grada M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: van Bleek
authors.forename: Martien C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Poelen
authors.forename: Robbert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van der Most
authors.forename: Humphrey F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Brugghe
authors.forename: Hans A M
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Timmermans
authors.forename: Claire J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Boog
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hoogerhout
authors.forename: Henny G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Otten
authors.forename: Cécile A C M
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: van Els
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D014760:Viral Fusion Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes; D014760:Viral Fusion Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins