Promiscuous Peptides on the Nontypeable Haemophilus Influenzae P6 Outer Membrane Protein

Abstract

P6 outer membrane protein is one of the candidates for a vaccine formulation against nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) infection. As otitis-prone children who have recurrent episodes of acute otitis media because of NTHi show an impaired immune response to P6, an innovative approach to vaccination is required to augment their immune response. We previously identified human HLA-DR9-restricted T cell epitope peptide and highly immunogenic analog peptides on P6 for peptide vaccine candidates. To develop a vaccine formulation effective in the general population, we identified promiscuous T cell epitope peptides (p41-55, p71-85) on P6. In addition to stimulating with potentially promiscuous peptides (p30-44, p45-59) selected using a computer algorithm, we established peptide-specific T cell lines which respond to P6. Our present results indicate that these peptides would be candidates for a widely applicable peptide vaccine formulation.