Identification of a DRB3*1101-restricted CD4 T cell response against bovine respiratory syncytial virus

Authors: Hofstetter, Amelia; YADAV, AKSHAY - Iowa State University; NORIMINE, JUNZO - University Of Miyazaki; Sacco, Randy

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/4/2018
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Despite the availability of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) vaccines, their efficacy remains controversial. Better understanding of the immune response elicited by BRSV vaccines will inform vaccine improvements. We screened cows with a history of annual BRSV vaccination for BRSV-specific T cell responses. Four of fourteen cows responded to an amino acid epitope from the BRSV F protein. The four cows shared the same allele of the major histocompatibility protein which presents the epitope to CD4 T cells. With this information, we can develop a specific immune reagent to label the epitope-specific cells. This reagent will allow further characterization of the epitope-specific CD4 T cell response.

Technical Abstract: A better understanding of the immune response elicited by bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) vaccines is needed for vaccine improvement. Although killed-BRSV vaccines are available as part of multivalent products, their efficacy is controversial. We screened for BRSV-specific T cell responses in cows with a history of annual vaccinations. We defined the minimum BRSV F peptide 261-270 (INDMPITNDQ), which elicits IFN-gamma from CD4 T cells in four of fourteen cows tested. The response is restricted by the bovine class II MHC molecule DRB3. All four cows share the DRB3*1101 allele. We are currently developing a specific DRB3*1101:INDMPITNDQ tetramer to facilitate further characterization of this response.