Fitness costs limit escape from cytotoxic T lymphocytes by influenza A viruses

E G M Berkhoff; E de Wit; M M Geelhoed-Mieras; A C M Boon; J Symons; R A M Fouchier; A D M E Osterhaus; G F Rimmelzwaan

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.05.051

Fitness costs limit escape from cytotoxic T lymphocytes by influenza A viruses

Vaccine. 2006 Nov 10;24(44-46):6594-6. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.05.051. Epub 2006 Jun 6.

Authors

E G M Berkhoff¹, E de Wit, M M Geelhoed-Mieras, A C M Boon, J Symons, R A M Fouchier, A D M E Osterhaus, G F Rimmelzwaan

Affiliation

¹ Department of Virology and WHO National Influenza Center, Erasmus Medical Center, P.O. Box 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

PMID: 16837112
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.05.051

Abstract

The use of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-inducing vaccines could afford both homo- and heterosubtypic immunity. However, amino acid variation in CTL epitopes associated with escape from CTL-mediated immunity might undermine the use of these vaccines. To assess the impact of amino acid substitutions in highly conserved epitopes on viral fitness and recognition by specific CTL, we performed a mutational analysis of various CTL epitopes. Our findings indicated that fitness costs limited variation in functionally constrained epitopes, especially at anchor residues.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Amino Acid Sequence
Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
Humans
Influenza A virus / immunology*
RNA-Binding Proteins / immunology*
RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*

Substances

Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
RNA-Binding Proteins