Hastings, Gillian Z.; (1992) Helper T cell epitopes of human rhinovirus. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

Text out.pdf Download (7MB)

Abstract

Little is known about the cellular immune response generated towards human rhinovirus (HRV), the major causative agent of the common cold. There are over one hundred HRV serotypes which can be assigned to two groups, major and minor, depending on the cellular receptor they bind. Minor receptor group serotype 1A was selected for further study as the three dimensional structure of the virus is known. A HRV specific CD4+ helper T cell (Th) response was demonstrated in mice immunised with HRV. The HRV 1A specific Th cells responded in vitro to eight other HRV serotypes. This heterotypic response occurred in three different haplotypes. However, serotypes belonging to the two receptor groups gave different response profiles, and this was attributed to the demonstration that minor, but not major group viruses bound to cells of the murine immune system. The specific protein regions involved in the generation of Th cell responses were identified using synthetic peptides representing the entire sequences of the four structural proteins of HRV 1A. Only a small number of peptides were identified as stimulating a positive response in T cells primed towards intact virus and the repertoire of the Th response was different in each MHC haplotype tested. When the peptides identified as positive were used as immunogens, they elicited Th cell responses towards peptide, HRV 1A and heterotypic serotypes. These peptides were also able to provide help for virus specific antibody responses and to provide T cell help for antibody production towards a non-virus B cell epitope. Finally, the location of the Th cell epitopes in relation to the known three dimensional structure of the virus was examined.

Download activity - last month

Export as JSONXMLCSV

Download activity - last 12 months

Export as JSONXMLCSV

Downloads by country - last 12 months

Export as JSONXMLCSV

Archive Staff Only

View Item