Identification of novel immunodominant CD4+ Th1-type T-cell peptide epitopes from herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D that confer protective immunity.
The molecular characterization of the epitope repertoire on herpes simplex virus (HSV) antigens would greatly expand our knowledge of HSV immunity and improve immune interventions against herpesvirus infections. HSV glycoprotein D (gD) is an immunodominant viral coat protein and is considered an excellent vaccine candidate antigen. By using the TEPITOPE prediction algorithm, we have identified and characterized a total of 12 regions within the HSV type 1 (HSV-1) gD bearing potential CD4(+) T-cell epitopes, each 27 to 34 amino acids in length. Immunogenicity studies of the corresponding medium-sized peptides confirmed all previously known gD epitopes and additionally revealed four new immunodominant regions (gD(49-82), gD(146-179), gD(228-257), and gD(332-358)), each containing naturally processed epitopes. These epitopes elicited potent T-cell responses in mice of diverse major histocompatibility complex backgrounds. Each of the four new immunodominant peptide epitopes generated strong CD4(+) Th1 T cells that were biologically active against HSV-1-infected bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Importantly, immunization of H-2(d) mice with the four newly identified CD4(+) Th1 peptide epitopes but not with four CD4(+) Th2 peptide epitopes induced a robust protective immunity against lethal ocular HSV-1 challenge. These peptide epitopes may prove to be important components of an effective immunoprophylactic strategy against herpes.
BenMohamed
Lbachir
L
Department of Ophthalmology, University of California-Irvine, College of Medicine, Orange, California 92868, USA. Lbenmoha@uci.edu
Bertrand
Georges
G
McNamara
Cory D
CD
Gras-Masse
Helene
H
Hammer
Juergen
J
Wechsler
Steven L
SL
Nesburn
Anthony B
AB
D000465:Algorithms; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D022283:Herpesvirus Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D007114:Immunization; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D022283:Herpesvirus Vaccines; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes; D007376:Interleukin-2; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C039447:glycoprotein D, Human herpesvirus 1; D007371:Interferon-gamma