Computational Prediction of Usutu Virus E Protein B Cell and T Cell Epitopes for Potential Vaccine Development

In this study, we have used computational tools to predict potential B cell and T cell epitopes of USUV envelope (E) protein. We found that amino acids between positions 68 and 84 could be a potential B cell epitope, while amino acids between positions 53 and 69 could be a potential major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I‐ and class II‐restricted T cell epitope. By homology 3D modeling of USUV E protein, we found that the predicted B cell epitope was predominantly located in the coil region, while T cell epitope was located in the beta‐strand region of the E protein. Additionally, the potential MHC class I T cell epitope (LAEVRSYCYL) was predicted to bind to nearly 24 human leucocyte antigens (HLAs) (IC50 ≤5000 nm) covering nearly 86.44% of the Black population and 96.90% of the Caucasoid population. Further in vivo studies are needed to validate the predicted epitopes.
Source: Scandinavian Journal of Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Tags: Experimental Immunology Source Type: research