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Mapping the T cell epitopes of the Babesia bovis antigen 12D3: implications for vaccine design
Author(s) -
Court R.A.,
Sitte K.,
Opdebeeck J.P.,
East I.J.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
parasite immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1365-3024
pISSN - 0141-9838
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-3024.1998.t01-1-00116.x
Subject(s) - epitope , biology , babesia bovis , virology , antigen , major histocompatibility complex , epitope mapping , computational biology , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , babesia
The Babesia bovis antigen 12D3 was analysed to identify potential T‐cell epitopes. Two predictive algorithms identified 13 possible sites but there was minimal agreement between the different predictive methods. Experimental determination of the T‐cell epitopes recognized by nine cattle was achieved using a panel of overlapping peptides which identified seven different epitopes, five of which were clustered together around residues 210–320 of the molecule. No T cell epitopes were located within the tightly disulphide bonded core of 12D3. Using a series of truncated peptides, the location of two of the epitopes was mapped to residues 35–43 and 266–275. The sequences of these two epitopes was compared with a database of previously described binding motifs for MHC II alleles and each epitope was found to contain three sequence motifs recognized by HLA‐DR alleles. The BoLA‐DRB3 alleles occurring in these cattle were determined by a sequence specific oligonucleotide hybridization assay. Within those cattle whose T cells proliferated in response to 12D3, there was a consistent pattern of epitope recognition and presence of particular DRB3 alleles. The implications for effective vaccine design are discussed.