Immunological characterization of respiratory syncytial virus N protein epitopes recognized by human cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Viral Immunol. 2007 Sep;20(3):399-406. doi: 10.1089/vim.2007.0041.

Abstract

Virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are crucial for the control of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. This study has identified CTL epitopes of the RSV N protein in healthy subjects. We screened the primary structure of the N protein for HLA-A 0201-binding amino acid consensus motifs, identifying three peptides designated as N-RSV1, N-RSV2, and N-RSV3. These peptides were used to generate CTL lines by stimulating human HLA-A 02.01 peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro. These CTL lines were then characterized by performing CTL chromium release assays and IFN-gamma secretion detection by intracellular cytokine staining. N-RSV1 and N-RSV3 peptides elicited the strongest cytolytic activity against RSV-infected cells and they could be useful epitopes for the analysis of CTL responses to RSV and for understanding immune-induced disease pathogenesis.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chromium / metabolism
  • Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • HLA-A Antigens / classification
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Middle Aged
  • Nucleocapsid Proteins / immunology*
  • Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*

Substances

  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • HLA-A Antigens
  • Nucleocapsid Proteins
  • Chromium
  • Interferon-gamma