Computational prediction of usutu virus E protein B cell and T cell epitopes for potential vaccine development

Usutu virus (family Flaviviridae), once confined to Africa, has emerged in Europe a decade ago. The virus has been spreading throughout Europe at a greater pace mostly affecting avian species. While most bird species remain asymptomatic carriers of this virus, few bird species are highly susceptible...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Palanisamy, Navaneethan (Author) , Lennerstrand, Johan (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 26 February 2017
In: Scandinavian journal of immunology
Year: 2017, Volume: 85, Issue: 5, Pages: 350-364
ISSN:1365-3083
DOI:10.1111/sji.12544
Online Access:Verlag, Volltext: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/sji.12544
Verlag, Volltext: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/sji.12544
Get full text
Author Notes:N. Palanisamy, J. Lennerstrand
Description
Summary:Usutu virus (family Flaviviridae), once confined to Africa, has emerged in Europe a decade ago. The virus has been spreading throughout Europe at a greater pace mostly affecting avian species. While most bird species remain asymptomatic carriers of this virus, few bird species are highly susceptible. Lately, Usutu virus (USUV) infections in humans were reported sporadically with severe neuroinvasive symptoms like meningoencephalitis. As so much is unknown about this virus, which potentially may cause severe diseases in humans, there is a need for more studies of this virus. In this study, we have used computational tools to predict potential B cell and T cell epitopes of USUV envelope (E) protein. We found that amino acids between positions 68 and 84 could be a potential B cell epitope, while amino acids between positions 53 and 69 could be a potential major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I- and class II-restricted T cell epitope. By homology 3D modeling of USUV E protein, we found that the predicted B cell epitope was predominantly located in the coil region, while T cell epitope was located in the beta-strand region of the E protein. Additionally, the potential MHC class I T cell epitope (LAEVRSYCYL) was predicted to bind to nearly 24 human leucocyte antigens (HLAs) (IC50 ≤5000 nm) covering nearly 86.44% of the Black population and 96.90% of the Caucasoid population. Further in vivo studies are needed to validate the predicted epitopes.
Item Description:Gesehen am 28.05.2018
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1365-3083
DOI:10.1111/sji.12544