Abstract

C-strain, also known as the HCLV strain, is a well-known live attenuated vaccine against classical swine fever (CSF), a devastating disease caused by classical swine fever virus (CSFV). Vaccination with C-strain induces a rapid onset of protection, which is associated with virus-specific gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-secreting CD8+ T cell responses. The E2 protein of CSFV is a major protective antigen. However, the T cell epitopes on the E2 protein remain largely unknown. In this study, eight overlapping nonapeptides of the E2 protein were predicted and synthesized to screen for potential T cell epitopes on the CSFV C-strain E2 protein. Molecular docking was performed on the candidate epitopes with the swine leukocyte antigen-1*0401. The analysis obtained two highly conserved T cell epitopes, 90STEEMGDDF98 and 331ATDRHSDYF339, which were further identified by enzyme-linked immunospot assay. Interestingly, the mutants deleting or substituting the epitopes are nonviable. Further analysis demonstrated that 90STEEMGDDF98 is crucial for the E2 homodimerization, while CSFV infection is significantly inhibited by the 331ATDRHSDYF339 peptide treatment. The two novel T cell epitopes can be used to design new vaccines that are able to provide rapid-onset protection.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.