Sequence variation in a newly identified HLA-B35-restricted epitope in the influenza A virus nucleoprotein associated with escape from cytotoxic T lymphocytes

J Virol. 2002 Mar;76(5):2567-72. doi: 10.1128/jvi.76.5.2567-2572.2002.

Abstract

Here, we describe a new HLA-B*3501-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitope in the influenza A virus (H3N2) nucleoprotein, which was found to exhibit a high degree of variation at nonanchor residues. The influenza virus variants emerged in chronological order, and CTLs directed against old variants failed to recognize more recent strains of influenza A virus, indicating an escape from CTL immunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antigenic Variation
  • Epitopes / immunology*
  • HLA-B35 Antigen / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Influenza A virus / genetics
  • Influenza A virus / immunology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nucleocapsid Proteins
  • Nucleoproteins / genetics*
  • Nucleoproteins / immunology*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
  • Viral Core Proteins / genetics*
  • Viral Core Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Epitopes
  • HLA-B35 Antigen
  • NP protein, Influenza A virus
  • Nucleocapsid Proteins
  • Nucleoproteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Viral Core Proteins