Identification of cross-reacting T-cell epitopes in structural and non-structural proteins of swine and pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus strains in pigs

J Gen Virol. 2017 May;98(5):895-899. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.000748. Epub 2017 May 30.

Abstract

Heterologous protection against swine influenza viruses (SwIVs) of different lineages is an important concern for the pig industry. Cross-protection between 'avian-like' H1N1 and 2009 pandemic H1N1 lineages has been observed previously, indicating the involvement of cross-reacting T-cells. Here, reverse vaccinology was applied to identify cross-reacting MHC class I T-cell epitopes from two different SwIV H1 lineages in pigs. In silico prediction followed by in vitro and in vivo testing was used to identify SLA-1*0702 T-cell epitopes in heterologous SwIV-infected pigs. Following viral infection, tetramer specific T-cell populations were identified. The majority of the identified T-cell epitopes were conserved between the examined lineages, suggesting that targeting cross-reactive T-cell epitopes could be used to improve vaccines against SwIV in SLA-1*0702-positive pigs.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Computational Biology
  • Cross Reactions*
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / immunology*
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / isolation & purification
  • Influenza Vaccines / genetics
  • Influenza Vaccines / immunology
  • Reverse Genetics
  • Swine / virology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / immunology*
  • Viral Structural Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Influenza Vaccines
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • Viral Structural Proteins