Identification of a DRB3*1101-restricted CD4 T cell response against bovine respiratory syncytial virus

Abstract

Abstract A better understanding of the immune response elicited by bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) vaccines is needed for vaccine improvement. Although killed-BRSV vaccines are available as part of multivalent products, their efficacy is controversial. We screened for BRSV-specific T cell responses in cows with a history of annual vaccinations. We defined the minimum BRSV F peptide 261–270 (INDMPITNDQ), which elicits IFN-γ from CD4 T cells in four of fourteen cows tested. The response is restricted by the bovine class II MHC molecule DRB3. All four cows share the DRB3*1101 allele. We are currently developing a specific DRB3*1101:INDMPITNDQ tetramer to facilitate further characterization of this response.