Characterization of malleability and immunological properties of human adenovirus type 3 hexon hypervariable region 1.
Adenovirus (Ad) capsids that display exogenous epitopes can be potently immunogenic, eliciting a potent humoral response against components of the capsid. We used the epitopes flag, his(6)flag, his(6)lgsflag and AdV4HVR5 as model antigens to characterize the hexon hypervariable region (HVR) 1 as a site for epitope insertion. A peptide of up to 17 amino acids could be incorporated into HVR1 of the Ad3 hexon without adversely affecting the biological characteristics of the virus. Multiple vaccinations with capsid-modified Ad3 induced a humoral response against the epitope inserted in HVR1. However, antiserum against the his(6)flag or his(6)lgsflag epitope did not recognize glutathione S-transferase (GST)-his(6) and GST-flag fusion protein. Our study illustrates that there is an immune response against the new epitope within the amino acids of his(6)flag or his(6)lgsflag epitopes. This discovery could be a warning for the generation of multivalent vaccine vectors by incorporation of multiple epitopes into single HVRs.
State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, 14F, 1# Kang Da Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510230, China.
Tianhua
T
Zhong
Xiao
X
Li
Zhichao
Z
Zhou
Ting
T
Li
Xingui
X
Tian
Rong
R
Zhou
D000260:Adenoviruses, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008958:Models, Molecular; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D000939:Epitopes; C018315:hexon capsid protein, Adenovirus