Prediction of T Cell Epitopes from Leishmania major Potentially Excreted/Secreted Proteins Inducing Granzyme B Production: e0147076

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 11; no. 1
• Main Authors: Naouar, Ikbel, Boussoffara, Thouraya, Chenik, Mehdi, Gritli, Sami, Ahmed, Melika Ben, Hmida, Nabil Belhadj, Bahi-Jaber, Narges, Bardi, Rafika, Gorgi, Yousr, Salah, Afif Ben
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-01-2016
• Subjects: Leishmania major
• ISSN: 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147076

Leishmania-specific cytotoxic T cell response is part of the acquired immune response developed against the parasite and contributes to resistance to reinfection. Herein, we have used an immune-informatic approach for the identification, among Leishmania major potentially excreted/secreted proteins previously described, those generating peptides that could be targeted by the cytotoxic immune response. Seventy-eight nonameric peptides that are predicted to be loaded by HLA-A*0201 molecule were generated and their binding capacity to HLA-A2 was evaluated. These peptides were grouped into 20 pools and their immunogenicity was evaluated by in vitro stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HLA-A2+-immune individuals with a history of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis. Six peptides were identified according to their ability to elicit production of granzyme B. Furthermore, among these peptides 3 showed highest affinity to HLA-A*0201, one derived from an elongation factor 1-alpha and two from an unknown protein. These proteins could constitute potential vaccine candidates against leishmaniasis.