H1N1pdm09 Influenza Virus and Its Descendants Lack Extra-epitopic Amino Acid Residues Associated With Reduced Recognition by M158-66-Specific CD8+ T Cells

J Infect Dis. 2018 Jul 13;218(4):581-585. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiy218.

Abstract

Extra-epitopic amino acid residues affect recognition of human influenza A viruses (IAVs) by CD8+ T-lymphocytes (CTLs) specific for the highly conserved HLA-A*0201 restricted M158-66 epitope located in the matrix 1 (M1) protein. These residues are absent in the M1 protein of the 2009-pandemic IAV (H1N1pdm09). Consequently, stimulation with M1 protein of H1N1pdm09 IAV resulted in stronger activation and lytic activity of M158-66-specific CTLs than stimulation with seasonal H3N2 IAVs. During >6 years of circulation in the human population, descendants of the H1N1pdm09 virus had accumulated 4 other amino acid substitutions. However, these did not affect M158-66-specific CTL activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / genetics
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / genetics
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / immunology*
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / isolation & purification
  • Influenza, Human / immunology
  • Influenza, Human / virology*
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • M1 protein, Influenza A virus
  • Viral Matrix Proteins