An amino acid substitution in the influenza A virus hemagglutinin associated with escape from recognition by human virus-specific CD4+ T-cells.
Influenza virus-specific CD4+ T-helper cells were cloned that recognized a virus strain isolated in 1981, but that failed to recognize more recent strains. The HLA-DR*1601-restricted epitope recognized was located in the hemagglutinin (HA(99-113)) and the naturally occurring A-->V substitution at position 106 was responsible for abrogating the recognition by HA(99-113)-specific CD4+ T-cells. This amino acid substitution was found in influenza A/H3N2 viruses that circulated between 1999 and 2005 and did not affect recognition by virus-specific antibodies. It was speculated that influenza viruses could evade recognition by virus-specific CD4+ T-cells, at least temporarily.
Berkhoff
Eufemia G M
EG
Department of Virology and Postgraduate School Molecular Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Geelhoed-Mieras
Martina M
MM
Jonges
Marcel
M
Smith
Derek J
DJ
Fouchier
Ron A M
RA
Osterhaus
Albert D M E
AD
Rimmelzwaan
Guus F
GF
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002999:Clone Cells; D004285:Dogs; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D053122:Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D014162:Transfection
D000939:Epitopes; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus