A strategy for the identification of T-cell epitopes on Leishmania cysteine proteinases
Alves, C.R.; Pontes de Carvalho, L.C.; Souza, A.L.; De Simone, S.G.
Cytobios 104(405): 33-41
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0011-4529 PMID: 11219729 Document Number: 535442
In this study computational analysis was used to compile sequence alignments, construct a dendrogram and calculate physical data in order to predict potential T-cell epitopes of the Leishmania cysteine proteinase. Using multiple alignment of human and Leishmania proteinase sequences deposited on data bank sequences, it was possible to predict that the extreme C-terminus of cysteine proteinase (Cyspep, 355-444) contained three peptides (pl 361-370, pll 415-422 and plll 431-444) with charge score, hydrophobicity and isoelectric points compatible for human leucocyte-associated antigen (HLA) class II binding. The prediction was confirmed in vitro through the ability of synthetic peptides corresponding to the predicted regions to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with leishmaniasis.