Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) specific for influenza A virus were prepared from 15 donors. Those with HLA-A2 recognized autologous or HLA-A2-matched B-lymphoblastoid cells in the presence of synthetic peptide representing residues 55-73 or 56-68 of the virus matrix protein sequence. Influenza A virus-specific CTL from donors without HLA-A2 or with an HLA-A2 variant type failed to respond to this peptide. CTL lines specific for HLA-A2 plus peptide did not lyse peptide-treated target cells from HLA-A2 variant donors. They also failed to lyse peptide-treated cells with point mutations that had been inserted into HLA-A2 at positions 62-63, 66, 152, and 156 and, in some instances, mutations at positions 9 and 70. CTL lysed peptide-treated target cells with mutations in HLA-A2 at positions 43, 74, and 107. The results imply that this defined peptide epitope therefore interacts with HLA-A2 in the binding groove so that the long alpha-helices of HLA-A2 make important contact with the peptide at positions 66, 152, and 156. Different amino acids at position 9, which is in the floor of the peptide binding groove of HLA-A2 and the closely related position 70, modulate the peptide interaction so that some T-cell clones react and some do not.

Original publication

DOI

10.1073/pnas.85.23.9194

Type

Journal article

Journal

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Publication Date

12/1988

Volume

85

Pages

9194 - 9198

Keywords

Antigen-Antibody Complex, Antigens, Viral, Epitopes, Genetic Variation, HLA-A Antigens, HLA-A2 Antigen, Humans, Influenza A virus, Models, Molecular, Mutation, Protein Conformation, T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic, Viral Proteins