title: [Gene sequence and antigenic epitope variation within the F protein of respiratory syncytial virus in Sichuan, China].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the variation of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) and neutralizing epitopes in F protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) isolated in Sichuan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nearly full-length of F protein gene of 10 strains of RSV isolated in Sichuan was amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. The genetic variations, especially the CTL and neutralizing antibody epitopes within different subtypes and genotypes were analyzed and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The F protein of RSV is highly conserved within the two subtypes, with the P-distances of nucleotide and amino acids were 0.102 +/- 0.005 and 0.058 +/- 0.006, respectively. Neutralizing epitopes 47F and L4 were conserved between the subtypes, but RS-348 and 7C2 were only conserved within the subtypes. CTL epitopes HLA B * 57, HLA A * 01 and HLA Cw * 12 were conserved only within subtype A. There were specific different sites between the subtypes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sequences of F protein from Sichuan RSV isolates were highly conserved, so as the epitopes on F-protein within subtypes, the identified CLT epitopes in subtype A may not be recognized in subtype B virus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Technology, West China School of Public Health & West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Meng-Yan
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hong-Yue
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Xue-Jia
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Xiao-Fang
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Pei
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000235:genetics; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D014760:Viral Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; C526850:F protein, human respiratory syncytial virus; D014760:Viral Fusion Proteins