Conserved cysteine residues within the attachment G glycoprotein of respiratory syncytial virus play a critical role in the enhancement of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses

Virus Genes. 2011 Feb;42(1):46-54. doi: 10.1007/s11262-010-0545-9. Epub 2010 Nov 4.

Abstract

The cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response plays an important role in the control of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) replication and the establishment of a Th1-CD4+ T cell response against the virus. Despite lacking Major Histocompatibility Complex I (MHC I)-restricted epitopes, the attachment G glycoprotein of RSV enhances CTL activity toward other RSV antigens, and this effect depends on its conserved central region. Here, we report that RSV-G can also improve CTL activity toward antigens from unrelated pathogens such as influenza, and that a mutant form of RSV-G lacking four conserved cysteine residues at positions 173, 176, 182, and 186 fails to enhance CTL responses. Our results indicate that these conserved residues are essential for the wide-spectrum pro-CTL activity displayed by the protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cysteine / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Deletion
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung / virology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mutation
  • Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology*
  • Viral Vaccines / immunology

Substances

  • Vaccines, DNA
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • Viral Vaccines
  • attachment protein G
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Cysteine