A Novel H-2d Epitope for Influenza A Polymerase Acidic Protein.

Ida Uddbäck, Jacob E Kohlmeier, Allan R Thomsen, Jan P Christensen

Viruses 2022 Mar 14

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Understanding the complexity of the T-cell epitope hierarchy in humans through mouse models can be difficult. In particular, using only one murine strain, the C57BL/6 mouse, to investigate the immune response to influenza virus infection limits our understanding. In the present study, by immunizing C57BL/6 mice with an adenoviral vector encoding the polymerase acidic (AdIiPA) protein of influenza A virus, we were able to induce a high number of PA-specific T cells. However, upon challenge, these cells were only partly protective. When instead immunizing BALB/c mice with AdIiPA, we found that the immunized mice were fully protected against challenge. We found that this protection was dependent on CD8 T cells, and we identified a novel H-2Dd-restricted epitope, PA33. These findings provide a new tool for researchers to study PA-specific immunity in mice with an H-2d haplotype. Additionally, our findings underscore the importance of critically evaluating important limitations of using a single inbred mouse strain in vaccine studies.

Citation

Ida Uddbäck, Jacob E Kohlmeier, Allan R Thomsen, Jan P Christensen. A Novel H-2d Epitope for Influenza A Polymerase Acidic Protein. Viruses. 2022 Mar 14;14(3)