Respiratory syncytial virus nucleoprotein-specific cytotoxic T-cell epitopes in a South African population of diverse HLA types are conserved in circulating field strains.

ABSTRACT: This study identifies memory cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in healthy South African adults and demonstrates the conservation of those epitopes in circulating field strains of RSV in South Africa. Thirty-seven healthy adults from a population with diverse HLA backgrounds were screened by gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) enzyme-linked immunospot for memory CTL activity in response to overlapping peptides representing the complete nucleoprotein (N) of RSV. Responses of more than 40 spot-forming cells/million cells were detectable in 21 individuals. The significant responses were further characterized, and 14-mer peptides were identified that induced cytolytic activity. Fine mapping of peptides with the highest cytolytic activity identified an HLA-B(*)0

SUBMITTER: Venter M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC164818 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature