The preferred substrates for transglutaminase 2 in a complex wheat gluten digest are Peptide fragments harboring celiac disease T-cell epitopes

Background

Celiac disease is a T-cell mediated chronic inflammatory disorder of the gut that is induced by dietary exposure to gluten proteins. CD4+ T cells of the intestinal lesion recognize gluten peptides in the context of HLA-DQ2.5 or HLA-DQ8 and the gluten derived peptides become better T-cell antigens after deamidation catalyzed by the enzyme transglutaminase 2 (TG2). In this study we aimed to identify the preferred peptide substrates of TG2 in a heterogeneous proteolytic digest of whole wheat gluten.

Methods

A method was established to enrich for preferred TG2 substrates in a complex gluten peptide mixture by tagging with 5-biotinamido-pentylamine. Tagged peptides were isolated and then identified by nano-liquid chromatography online-coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, database searching and final manual data validation.

Results

We identified 31 different peptides as preferred substrates of TG2. Strikingly, the majority of these peptides were harboring known gluten T-cell epitopes. Five TG2 peptide substrates that were predicted to bind to HLA-DQ2.5 did not contain previously characterized sequences of T-cell epitopes. Two of these peptides elicited T-cell responses when tested for recognition by intestinal T-cell lines of celiac disease patients, and thus they contain novel candidate T-cell epitopes. We also found that the intact 9mer core sequences of the respective epitopes were not present in all peptide substrates. Interestingly, those epitopes that were represented by intact forms were frequently recognized by T cells in celiac disease patients, whereas those that were present in truncated versions were infrequently recognized.

Conclusion

TG2 as well as gastrointestinal proteolysis play important roles in the selection of gluten T-cell epitopes in celiac disease.     

The disulphide mapping,folding and characterisation of recombinant Ber e 1, an allergenic protein,and SFA8, two sulphur-rich 2S plant albumins

We have cloned and expressed genes encoding the allergenic brazil nut 2S albumin (Ber e 1) and the sunflower albumin 8 (SFA8) in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. We show that both proteins were secreted at high levels and that the purified proteins were properly folded. We also showed that Ber e 1 is glycosylated during secretion and that the glycan does not interfere with the folding or immunoreactivity. The disulphide map of the Ber e 1 protein was experimentally established and is in agreement with the conserved disulphide structure of other members of the 2S albumin family. A model three-dimensional structure of the allergen was generated. During the expression studies and through mutation we have also shown that alteration of the sequences around the Kex2 endoproteolytic processing site in the expressed fusion protein can compromise the secretion by targeting part of the protein for possible degradation. The secreted production of these properly folded sulphur-rich plant albumins presents an opportunity to delineate the attributes that make an allergen and to facilitate the diagnosis and therapy of type I allergy.     

T-cell epitopes in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus spike protein elicit a specific T-cell immune response in patients who recover from SARS

The immunogenicity of HLA-A2-restricted T-cell epitopes in the S protein of the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and of human coronavirus strain 229e (HCoV-229e) was analyzed for the elicitation of a T-cell immune response in donors who had fully recovered from SARS-CoV infection. We employed online database analysis to compare the differences in the amino acid sequences of the homologous T epitopes of HCoV-229e and SARS-CoV. The identified T-cell epitope peptides were synthesized, and their binding affinities for HLA-A2 were validated and compared in the T2 cell system. The immunogenicity of all these peptides was assessed by using T cells obtained from donors who had fully recovered from SARS-CoV infection and from healthy donors with no history of SARS-CoV infection. HLA-A2 typing by indirect immunofluorescent antibody staining showed that 51.6% of SARS-CoV-infected patients were HLA-A2 positive. Online database analysis and the T2 cell binding test disclosed that the number of HLA-A2-restricted immunogenic epitopes of the S protein of SARS-CoV was decreased or even lost in comparison with the homologous sequences of the S protein of HCoV-229e. Among the peptides used in the study, the affinity of peptides from HCoV-229e (H77 and H881) and peptides from SARS-CoV (S978 and S1203) for binding to HLA-A2 was higher than that of other sequences. The gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) release Elispot assay revealed that only SARS-CoV-specific peptides S1203 and S978 induced a high frequency of IFN-gamma-secreting T-cell response in HLA-A2(+) donors who had fully recovered from SARS-CoV infection; such a T-cell epitope-specific response was not observed in HLA-A2(+) healthy donors or in HLA-A2(-) donors who had been infected with SARS-CoV after full recovery. Thus, T-cell epitopes S1203 and S978 are immunogenic and elicit an overt specific T-cell response in HLA-A2(+) SARS-CoV-infected patients.     

Development of a rice-based peptide vaccine for Japanese cedar and cypress pollen allergies

Peptide immunotherapy using dominant T-cell epitopes is a safe treatment alternative to conventional subcutaneous injection of natural crude allergen extract, which is sometimes accompanied by anaphylactic shock. For Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCP), hybrid peptides composed of six to seven major T-cell epitopes (7Crp peptide) from the causative allergens Cry j 1 and Cry j 2 have been developed on the basis of different human leukemia antigen class II restrictions, because of the diversity of patients’ genetic backgrounds. However, other dominant T-cell epitopes that are produced in some patients are not covered by these peptides. To develop a more universal peptide vaccine for JCP, we generated transgenic rice seeds containing seven new T-cell epitopes (Crp3) in addition to the T-cell epitopes used in the 7Crp peptide. Next, we co-expressed unique T-cell epitopes (6Chao) from the Japanese cypress pollen allergens Cha o 1 and Cha o 2 in transgenic rice seeds, with 7Crp and Crp3. These transgenic rice seeds, containing many highly homologous T-cell epitopes derived from cedar and cypress allergens, are expected to be applicable to a wide range of patients suffering from these pollen allergies.     

Solution structure and stability against digestion of rproBnIb, a recombinant 2S albumin from rapeseed: relationship to its allergenic properties

NMR spectroscopy has been used to determine the solution structure of the precursor form of the recombinant napin BnIb, rproBnIb, a 2S albumin, 109-residue protein from the seeds of Brassica napus. More than 90% of the side-chain proton resonances were unambiguously assigned from the analysis of two-dimensional correlation (COSY), total correlation (TOCSY), and nuclear Overhauser effect (NOESY) spectra. The final structures were computed by using restrained molecular dynamics on the basis of 1316 upper-limit distance constraints derived from NOE cross-correlation intensities. The computed structures exhibited a root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) radius of 0.66 A for the backbone and 1.16 A for the side-chain heavy atoms of the structural core. The resulting structure consists of five amphipathic helices arranged in a right-handed super helix, a folding motif found in other proteins of the prolamin superfamily. As in the case of the mature protein, the recombinant precursor behaves as a plant food allergen. To trace out the origin and characteristics of its allergenic properties, rproBnIb was assayed against simulated gastric fluid and found to be very resistant to proteolysis. Also, heat treatment of the protein followed up to 85 degrees C by circular dichroism showed a very limited unfolding, which was recovered after cooling to 20 degrees C, indicating a high thermal stability. These results suggest that rproBnIb, as other 2S albumins, may be able to reach the gut immune system intact. A comparison of the putative epitopes against IgE antibodies of the three members of the prolamine family [2S albumins, nonspecific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs), and alpha-amylase/trypsin inhibitors] indicates that there are not common surfaces of interaction with IgE. Though the epitopes appear to be located in different regions of the proteins, they do comply with the requirements of being solvent-exposed and flexible.     

In vitro digestive stability of complexes between gliadin and synthetic blocking peptides

Celiac disease is caused by an inappropriate immune response to incompletely digested gluten proteins. We investigated whether synthetic peptides with high affinity to wheat gliadin could be selected with a phage display technique and whether complexes between such peptides and gliadin could sustain gastric and pancreatic digestion. Two synthetic peptides, P61 and P64, were selected because of their high affinity to immobilized gliadin. They were allowed to form complexes with gliadin, whereafter the complexes were subjected to in vitro digestion with gastric and pancreatic enzymes. The digestion products were analyzed with Western blot and RP HPLC. The results showed that both peptides formed stable complexes with intact gliadin and that complexes between gliadin and peptide P64 partly resisted gastrointestinal digestion. The two peptides reduced the binding of serum anti-gliadin IgA antibodies by 12%, and 11.5%, respectively, and the binding of anti-gliadin antibodies of the IgG isotype by 13% and 10%. Thus peptides produced by a phage display technique could interact stably with gliadin partly masking epitopes for antibody binding. A combination of peptides of this kind may be used to block gliadin-immune system interactions.     

Novel T-cell epitopes of ovalbumin in BALB/c mouse: Potential for peptide-immunotherapy

The identification of food allergen T-cell epitopes provides a platform for the development of novel immunotherapies. Despite extensive knowledge of the physicochemical properties of hen ovalbumin (OVA), a major egg allergen, the complete T-cell epitope map of OVA has surprisingly not been defined in the commonly used BALB/c mouse model. In this study, spleen cells obtained from OVA-sensitized mice were incubated in the presence of 12-mer overlapping synthetic peptides, constructed using the SPOTS^® synthesis method. Proliferative activity was assessed by 72-h in vitro assays with use of the tetrazolium salt WST-1 and led to identification of four mitogenic sequences, i.e., A39R50, S147R158, K263E274, and A329E340. ELISA analyses of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-4 productions in cell culture supernatants upon stimulation with increasing concentrations of peptides confirmed their immunogenicity.Knowledge of the complete T-cell epitope map of OVA opens the way to a number of experimental investigations, including the exploration of peptide-based immunotherapy.     

Reconstruction of a pathway of antigen processing and class II MHC peptide capture

Endocytosed antigens are proteolytically processed and small amounts of peptides captured by class II MHC molecules. The details of antigen proteolysis, peptide capture and how destruction of T-cell epitopes is avoided are incompletely understood. Using the tetanus toxin antigen, we show that the introduction of 3-6 cleavage sites is sufficient to trigger a partially unfolded conformation able to bind to class II MHC molecules. The known locations of T-cell epitopes and protease cleavage sites predict that large domains of processed antigen (8-35 kDa) are captured under these conditions. Remarkably, when antigen is bound to the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR), processing can trigger a concerted 'hand-over' reaction whereby BCR-associated processed antigen is captured by neighbouring class II MHC molecules. Early capture of minimally processed antigen and confinement of the processing and class II MHC loading reaction to the membrane plane may improve the likelihood of T-cell epitope survival in the class II MHC pathway and may help explain the reciprocal relationships observed between B- and T-cell epitopes in many protein antigens and autoantigens.     

Solution Structure,Copper Binding and Backbone Dynamics of Recombinant Ber e 1–The Major Allergen from Brazil Nut

Background

The 2S albumin Ber e 1 is the major allergen in Brazil nuts. Previous findings indicated that the protein alone does not cause an allergenic response in mice, but the addition of components from a Brazil nut lipid fraction were required. Structural details of Ber e 1 may contribute to the understanding of the allergenic properties of the protein and its potential interaction partners.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The solution structure of recombinant Ber e 1 was solved using NMR spectroscopy and measurements of the protein back bone dynamics at a residue-specific level were extracted using ¹⁵N-spin relaxation. A hydrophobic cavity was identified in the structure of Ber e 1. Using the paramagnetic relaxation enhancement property of Cu²⁺ in conjunction with NMR, it was shown that Ber e 1 is able to specifically interact with the divalent copper ion and the binding site was modeled into the structure. The IgE binding region as well as the copper binding site show increased dynamics on both fast ps-ns timescale as well as slower µs-ms timescale.

Conclusions/Significance

The overall fold of Ber e 1 is similar to other 2S albumins, but the hydrophobic cavity resembles that of a homologous non-specific lipid transfer protein. Ber e 1 is the first 2S albumin shown to interact with Cu²⁺ ions. This Cu²⁺ binding has minimal effect on the electrostatic potential on the surface of the protein, but the charge distribution within the hydrophobic cavity is significantly altered. As the hydrophobic cavity is likely to be involved in a putative lipid interaction the Cu²⁺ can in turn affect the interaction that is essential to provoke an allergenic response.     

Sensitization prevalence, antibody cross-reactivity and immunogenic peptide profile of Api g 2, the non-specific lipid transfer protein 1 of celery

Background

Celery (Apium graveolens) represents a relevant allergen source that can elicit severe reactions in the adult population. To investigate the sensitization prevalence and cross-reactivity of Api g 2 from celery stalks in a Mediterranean population and in a mouse model.

Methodology

786 non-randomized subjects from Italy were screened for IgE reactivity to rApi g 2, rArt v 3 (mugwort pollen LTP) and nPru p 3 (peach LTP) using an allergen microarray. Clinical data of 32 selected patients with reactivity to LTP under investigation were evaluated. Specific IgE titers and cross-inhibitions were performed in ELISA and allergen microarray. Balb/c mice were immunized with purified LTPs; IgG titers were determined in ELISA and mediator release was examined using RBL-2H3 cells. Simulated endolysosomal digestion was performed using microsomes obtained from human DCs.

Results

IgE testing showed a sensitization prevalence of 25.6% to Api g 2, 18.6% to Art v 3, and 28.6% to Pru p 3 and frequent co-sensitization and correlating IgE-reactivity was observed. 10/32 patients suffering from LTP-related allergy reported symptoms upon consumption of celery stalks which mainly presented as OAS. Considerable IgE cross-reactivity was observed between Api g 2, Art v 3, and Pru p 3 with varying inhibition degrees of individual patients'' sera. Simulating LTP mono-sensitization in a mouse model showed development of more congruent antibody specificities between Api g 2 and Art v 3. Notably, biologically relevant murine IgE cross-reactivity was restricted to the latter and diverse from Pru p 3 epitopes. Endolysosomal processing of LTP showed generation of similar clusters, which presumably represent T-cell peptides.

Conclusions

Api g 2 represents a relevant celery stalk allergen in the LTP-sensitized population. The molecule displays common B cell epitopes and endolysosomal peptides that encompass T cell epitopes with pollen and plant-food derived LTP.     

Protein structure plays a critical role in peanut allergen stability and may determine immunodominant IgE-binding epitopes

Hypersensitivity to peanuts is a reaction mediated by IgE Abs in response to several peanut protein allergens. Among these allergenic proteins, Ara h 2 is one of the most commonly recognized allergens. Ara h 2 is a 17-kDa protein that has eight cysteine residues that could form up to four disulfide bonds. Circular dichroism studies showed substantial changes in the secondary and tertiary structures of the reduced Ara h 2 as compared with the native protein. Upon treatment with trypsin, chymotrypsin, or pepsin, a number of relatively large fragments are produced that are resistant to further enzymatic digestion. These resistant Ara h 2 peptide fragments contain intact IgE-binding epitopes and several potential enzyme cut sites that are protected from the enzymes by the compact structure of the protein. The enzyme-treated allergen remains essentially intact despite the action of proteases until the fragments are dissociated when the disulfide linkages are reduced. Amino acid sequence analysis of the resistant protein fragments indicates that they contain most of the immunodominant IgE-binding epitopes. These results provide a link between allergen structure and the immunodominant IgE-binding epitopes within a population of food-allergic individuals.     

Biochemical,Biophysical and IgE-Epitope Characterization of the Wheat Food Allergen,Tri a 37

Wheat is an important staple food and potent allergen source. Recently, we isolated a cDNA coding for wheat alpha-purothionin which is recognized by wheat food allergic patients at risk for severe wheat-induced allergy. The purpose of the present study was the biochemical, biophysical and IgE epitope characterization of recombinant alpha-purothionin. Synthetic genes coding for alpha-purothionin were expressed in a prokaryotic system using Escherichia coli and in a eukaryotic expression system based on baculovirus-infected Sf9-insect cells. Recombinant proteins were purified and characterized by SDS-PAGE, mass spectrometry, circular dichroism, chemical cross-linking and size exclusion chromatography. Five overlapping peptid were synthesized for epitope mapping. Alpha-purothionin-specific rabbit antibodies were raised to perform IgE-inhibition experiments and to study the resistance to digestion. The IgE reactivity of the proteins and peptides from ten wheat food allergic patients was studied in non-denaturing RAST-based binding assays. Alpha-purothionin was expressed in the prokaryotic (EcTri a 37) and in the eukaryotic system (BvTri a 37) as a soluble and monomeric protein. However, circular dichroism analysis revealed that EcTri a 37 was unfolded whereas BvTri a 37 was a folded protein. Both proteins showed comparable IgE-reactivity and the epitope mapping revealed the presence of sequential IgE epitopes in the N-terminal basic thionin domain (peptide1:KSCCRSTLGRNCYNLCRARGAQKLCAGVCR) and in the C-terminal acidic extension domain (peptide3:KGFPKLALESNSDEPDTIEYCNLGCRSSVC, peptide4:CNLGCRSSVCDYMVNAAADDEEMKLYVEN). Natural Tri a 37 was digested under gastric conditions but resistant to duodenal digestion. Immunization with EcTri a 37 induced IgG antibodies which recognized similar epitopes as IgE antibodies from allergic patients and inhibited allergic patients'' IgE binding. Reactivity to Tri a 37 does not require a folded protein and the presence of sequential IgE epitopes indicates that sensitization to alpha-purothionin occurs via the gut. Both allergens can be used for in-vitro diagnosis of wheat food allergy. The induction of blocking IgG antibodies suggests the usefulness for immunotherapy.     

Influence of the Carbohydrate Moieties on the Immunoreactivity and Digestibility of the Egg Allergen Ovomucoid

Background

Ovomucoid (OM) has two carbohydrate chains on each of the first and second domains and one in the third. The contribution of the covalently bound carbohydrate chains to the overall OM allergenicity is controversial. Another aspect directly related with the immunological properties of OM that has not been studied in depth is the importance of the carbohydrate chains on its digestibility.

Objective

The aim of the study was to assess the involvement of the carbohydrate moieties of OM in its digestibility and allergenic properties.

Methods

IgE-binding and basophil activation by glycosylated and enzymatically deglycosylated OM (dOM) were compared using blood from egg-allergic patients. The peptides obtained after digestion using a physiologically relevant model were identified by RP-HPLC-MS/MS and the IgE-binding of the resulting fragments was evaluated by DOT-Blot.

Results

No structural changes were observed after deglycosylation of OM. 80% of the patients showed lower IgE binding to dOM as compared with OM and, in some patients, IgE reactivity could not be inhibited by pre-incubation with dOM. A subtle reduction in the percentage of activated basophils was observed when incubated with dOM as compared to OM. Following simulated digestion, dOM was more extensively degraded than OM, particularly during the gastric phase and both, OM and dOM, yielded, after the duodenal phase, immunoreactive fragments that were totally or partially coincident with previously described epitopes.

Conclusion

& Clinical Relevance: this work demonstrated an enhanced IgE reactivity towards carbohydrate containing OM in some egg-allergic patients that could be attributed to cross-sensitization or sensitization to the glycosylated components. The carbohydrate chains contributed to an increased resistance to proteolysis, and thus, to its allergenic potency. Evaluation of the products of digestion of OM and dOM revealed the presence of high-frequency IgE-binding epitopes that could remain linked by disulphide bonds.     

A map of photolytic and tryptic cleavage sites on the beta heavy chain of dynein ATPase from sea urchin sperm flagella

NH2-terminal analysis of the alpha and beta heavy chain polypeptides (Mr greater than 400,000) from the outer arm dynein of sea urchin sperm flagella, compared with that of the 230,000- and 200,000-Mr peptides formed upon photocleavage of dynein by irradiation at 365 nm in the presence of vanadate and ATP, shows that the NH2 termini of the intact chains are acetylated and that the 230,000- and 200,000 Mr peptides constitute the amino- and carboxy-terminal portions of the heavy chains, respectively. Tryptic digestion of the beta heavy chain is known to separate it into two particles, termed fragments A and B, that sediment at 12S and 6S (Ow, R. A., W.-J. Y. Tang, G. Mocz, and I. R. Gibbons, 1987. J. Biol. Chem. 262:3409-3414). Immunoblots against monoclonal antibodies specific for epitopes on the beta heavy chain, used in conjunction with photoaffinity labeling, show that the ATPase-containing fragment A is derived from the amino-terminal region of the beta chain, with the two photolytic sites thought to be associated with the purine-binding and the gamma-phosphate-binding areas of the ATP-binding site spanning an approximately 100,000 Mr region near the middle of the intact beta chain. Fragment B is derived from the complementary carboxy-terminal region of the beta chain.     

Peptides surviving the simulated gastrointestinal digestion of milk proteins: Biological and toxicological implications

Resistance to proteases throughout the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a prerequisite for milk-derived peptides to exert biological activities. In this work an in vitro multi-step static model to simulate complete digestion of the bovine milk proteins has been developed. The experimental set-up involved the sequential use of: (i) pepsin, (ii) pancreatic proteases, and (iii) extracts of human intestinal brush border membranes, in simulated gastric, duodenal and jejuneal environments, respectively. Enzymatic concentrations and reaction times were selected in order to closely reproduce the in vivo conditions. The aim was to identify the peptide candidates able to exhibit significant bioactive effects. Casein and whey protein peptides which survived the in vitro GI digestion have been identified by the combined application of HPLC and mass spectrometry techniques. While the permanence of the main potentially bioactive peptides from both casein and whey proteins was found of limited physiological relevance, the high resistance to proteolysis of specific regions of β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg), and especially that of the peptide β-Lg f125–135, could have implications for the immunogenic action of β-Lg in the insurgence of cow's milk allergy.     

Flow cytometric analysis of peptide binding to major histocampatibility complex class I for hepatitis C virus core T-cell epitopes

BACKGROUND/METHODS: To characterize the repertoire of T-cell epitopes on the hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein, we studied major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I binding of 75 decapeptides on 20 human B-cell lines and murine spleen cells using a flow cytometric assay. The results were compared with MHC class I stabilization on T2 cells, the SYFPEITHI algorithm, and known T-cell epitopes from the literature. RESULTS: Binding of peptides proved to be specific for MHC class I molecules. We observed peak fluorescence signals at positions amino acids (aa) 35-44, aa 87-96, aa 131-140, and aa 167-176 in virtually all HLA-A2-positive cell lines. These sites corresponded to T-cell epitopes predicted by SYFPEITHI and the positions of known T-cell epitopes, whereas T2 stabilization was at variance for two peptides. The assay was applied to HLA-A2-negative cells and murine spleen cells without further modification, and identified additional peptides, corresponding to known T-cell epitopes. CONCLUSIONS: Peptide binding to different MHC class I alleles can be mapped rapidly by a flow cytometric assay and enables a first orientation on the sites of possible T-cell epitopes. Application of this assay to HCV core suggests a rather limited repertoire of epitopes in the Caucasoid population.     

Gastrointestinal digestion and absorption of Pen j 1, a major allergen from Kuruma prawn, Penaeus japonicus

Tropomyosin had been identified as a major allergen in shrimp. The digestion and absorption of tropomyosin (Pen j 1) from kuruma prawn were investigated by ex vivo, in vitro, and in vivo techniques in order to elucidate the relationship between the allergenicity of the allergen and its gastrointestinal behavior. Pen j 1 transported the Caco-2 monolayer in a dose-dependent manner, and also enhanced the permeability of lucifer yellow, a marker of paracellular transportation, at high concentrations of the allergen. Studies with everted sacs revealed that Pen j 1 was rapidly degraded to small peptides (MW<3.5 kDa) and amino acids by intestinal proteases and absorbed from enterocytes. Furthermore, Pen j 1 orally administered to rats tended to remain in the stomach rather than in the small intestine, after which the allergen moved to the epithelial cells. These observations suggest that Pen j 1 may be absorbed via the gastric mucosa prior to its digestion in the intestines.     

Analysis of food allergen structures and development of foods for allergic patients

Food allergy is one of the important health problems, and countermeasures are socially required. We have been undertaking studies on wheat allergens and their epitopes, and have developed a method for producing hypoallergenic wheat flour by enzymatic modification. The hypoallergenic products are now provided to patients. More noteworthy, by taking hypoallergenic cupcakes over a long period, more than half of patients are hyposensitized and become able to eat normal wheat products. This suggests that the hypoallergenic wheat flour can act as anti-allergenic via allergen-specific immunotolerance. This series of studies was followed by expansive research on food allergy: analysis of epitopes of bovine serum albumin (the major beef allergen), isolation and identification of inhibitory peptides for allergen absorption at the intestine, evaluation of hesperetin as an inhibitor of degranulation of mast cells, and the development of PCR detection methods for verifying allergen labeling and for identifying hidden allergic ingredients in processed foods.     

Epitope-Based Vaccine Target Screening against Highly Pathogenic MERS-CoV: An In Silico Approach Applied to Emerging Infectious Diseases

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) with pandemic potential is a major worldwide threat to public health. However, vaccine development for this pathogen lags behind as immunity associated with protection is currently largely unknown. In this study, an immunoinformatics-driven genome-wide screening strategy of vaccine targets was performed to thoroughly screen the vital and effective dominant immunogens against MERS-CoV. Conservancy and population coverage analysis of the epitopes were done by the Immune Epitope Database. The results showed that the nucleocapsid (N) protein of MERS-CoV might be a better protective immunogen with high conservancy and potential eliciting both neutralizing antibodies and T-cell responses compared with spike (S) protein. Further, the B-cell, helper T-cell and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes were screened and mapped to the N protein. A total of 15 linear and 10 conformal B-cell epitopes that may induce protective neutralizing antibodies were obtained. Additionally, a total of 71 peptides with 9-mer core sequence were identified as helper T-cell epitopes, and 34 peptides were identified as CTL epitopes. Based on the maximum HLA binding alleles, top 10 helper T-cell epitopes and CTL epitopes that may elicit protective cellular immune responses against MERS-CoV were selected as MERS vaccine candidates. Population coverage analysis showed that the putative helper T-cell epitopes and CTL epitopes could cover the vast majority of the population in 15 geographic regions considered where vaccine would be employed. The B- and T-cell stimulation potentials of the screened epitopes is to be further validated for their efficient use as vaccines against MERS-CoV. Collectively, this study provides novel vaccine target candidates and may prompt further development of vaccines against MERS-CoV and other emerging infectious diseases.