Identification of HLA class II H5N1 hemagglutinin epitopes following subvirion influenza A (H5N1) vaccination.
Prophylactic immunization against influenza infection requires CD4+ T-helper cell activity for optimal humoral and cellular immunity. Currently there is one FDA approved H5N1 subvirion vaccine available, although stockpiles of this vaccine are insufficient for broad population coverage and the vaccine has only demonstrated modest immunogenicity. Specific activation of CD4+ T-helper cells using class II H5N1 HA peptide vaccines may be a useful component in immunization strategy and design. Identification of HLA class II HA epitopes was undertaken in this report by obtaining PBMCs from volunteers previously immunized with an H5N1 inactivated subvirion vaccine, followed by direct ex vivo stimulation of CD4+ T cells against different sources of potential HA class II epitopes. In the 1st round of analysis, 35 donors were tested via IFN-gamma ELISPOT using pools of overlapping HA peptides derived from the H5N1 A/Thailand/4(SP-528)/2004 virus, recombinant H5N1 (rHA) and inactivated H5N1 subvirion vaccine. In addition, a series of algorithm-predicted epitopes coupled with the Ii-Key moiety of the MHC class II-associated invariant chain for enhanced MHC class II charging were also included. Specific responses were observed for all 20 peptide pools, with 6-26% of vaccinated individuals responding to any given pool (donor response frequency) and a magnitude of response ranging from 3- to >10-fold above background levels. Responses were similarly observed with the majority of algorithm-predicted epitopes, with a donor response frequency of up to 29% and a magnitude of response ranging from 3-10-fold (11/24 peptides) to >10-fold above background (7/24 peptides). PBMCs from vaccine recipients that had detectable responses to H5N1 rHA following 1st round analysis were used in a 2nd round of testing to confirm the identity of specific peptides based on the results of the 1st screening. Sixteen individual HA peptides identified from the library elicited CD4+ T cell responses between 3- and >10-fold above background, with two peptides being recognized in 21% of recipients tested. Eight of the putative MHC class II epitopes recognized were found in regions showing partial to significant sequence homology with New Caledonia H1N1 influenza HA, while eight were unique to H5N1 HA. This is the first study to identify H5N1 HA epitope-specific T cells in vaccine recipients and offers hope for the design of a synthetic peptide vaccine to prime CD4+ T-helper cells. Such a vaccine could be used to provide at least some minimal level of H5N1 protection on its own and/or prime for a subsequent dose of a more traditional but supply-limited vaccine.
Zinckgraf
John W
JW
Antigen Express, Inc, One Innovation Drive, Worcester, MA 01605, United States.
Sposato
Margaret
M
Zielinski
Veronica
V
Powell
Doug
D
Treanor
John J
JJ
von Hofe
Eric
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006388:Hemagglutinins / Q000276:immunology*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
D006388:Hemagglutinins; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated; D007371:Interferon-gamma