title: Identification of human T-cell epitopes and highly immunogenic analog peptides on the non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae P6 outer membrane protein.
abstract: P6 outer membrane protein is one of the candidates for a vaccine formulation against non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) infection. However, otitis-prone children who have recurrent episodes of acute otitis media due to NTHi fail to respond adequately to P6. An innovative approach to vaccination is therefore required to augment such children's immune response. To develop an effective peptide vaccine, we established P6-specific CD4(+) T-cell lines (TCLs) restricted by the human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR9 molecule, and revealed a human T-cell epitope on P6 and its core peptide sequence (p77-85; EYNIALGQR). Furthermore, we found that 3 analog peptides, E77D (the substitution of E at position 77 with D), N79G, and R85K, induced high proliferative responses as well as marked cytokine production when compared to the T-cell epitope peptide. These peptides may be candidates for a peptide vaccine formulation effective against NTHi infections, even in otitis-prone children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical College, Midorigaoka E2-1-1-1, Asahikawa, Hokkaido 078-8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ishida
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Mitsuru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yanai
authors.forename: Hiroya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Yasuaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Harabuchi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; C069990:P6 outer membrane protein, Haemophilus; D010455:Peptides