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Processing of viable group A streptococci leads to major histocompatibility complex class II presentation of T cell epitopes from the major protective antigen
Author(s) -
Rossiter Beth A.,
Alfonso Christopher,
Kehoe Michael A.,
Robinson John H.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
european journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.272
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1521-4141
pISSN - 0014-2980
DOI - 10.1002/eji.1830240537
Subject(s) - biology , epitope , major histocompatibility complex , antigen processing , antigen presentation , antigen , immunology , presentation (obstetrics) , t cell , virology , immune system , mhc class i , medicine , radiology
Abstract We have previously mapped major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II‐restricted T cell epitopes of the surface M protein of type 5 group A streptococci (M5) and show here that two out of four epitopes investigated were efficiently processed during incubation of viable streptococci with spleen cells for presentation to M5‐specific murine T cell clones. Viable streptococci were processed more efficiently than heat‐killed bacteria suggesting that secreted virulence factors of streptococci do not obstruct processing of streptococcal antigens in the dose range used. Epitopes from different regions of M5 could be ranked according to the efficiency with which they were processed, which may contribute to their relative immunodominance. It was further demonstrated that T cell clones specific for M5 308–319, an epitope from the M type conserved carboxy‐terminal half of M5, cross‐reacted between M5, M6 and M12, but not M49, streptococci. Helper T cell epitopes which are shared between streptococcal M types and are presented by MHC class II molecules on antigen‐presenting cells after processing of viable streptococci could be particularly useful in the design of multivalent streptococcal vaccines.