Publication
Title
HLA-DRB1 alleles associated with lower leishmaniasis susceptibility share common amino acid polymorphisms and epitope binding repertoires
Author
Abstract
Susceptibility for leishmaniasis is largely dependent on host genetic and immune factors. Despite the previously described association of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene cluster variants as genetic susceptibility factors for leishmaniasis, little is known regarding the mechanisms that underpin these associations. To better understand this underlying functionality, we first collected all known leishmaniasis-associated HLA variants in a thorough literature review. Next, we aligned and compared the protection- and risk-associated HLA-DRB1 allele sequences. This identified several amino acid polymorphisms that distinguish protection- from risk-associated HLA-DRB1 alleles. Subsequently, T cell epitope binding predictions were carried out across these alleles to map the impact of these polymorphisms on the epitope binding repertoires. For these predictions, we used epitopes derived from entire proteomes of multiple Leishmania species. Epitopes binding to protection-associated HLA-DRB1 alleles shared common binding core motifs, mapping to the identified HLA-DRB1 amino acid polymorphisms. These results strongly suggest that HLA polymorphism, resulting in differential antigen presentation, affects the association between HLA and leishmaniasis disease development. Finally, we established a valuable open-access resource of putative epitopes. A set of 14 HLA-unrestricted strong-binding epitopes, conserved across species, was prioritized for further epitope discovery in the search for novel subunit-based vaccines.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Vaccines
Publication
2021
ISSN
2076-393X
DOI
10.3390/VACCINES9030270
Volume/pages
9 :3 (2021) , 18 p.
Article Reference
270
ISI
000634171700001
Pubmed ID
33803005
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
A framework to deduce the convoluted repertoire and epitope hierarchy of human T cell responses in visceral leishmaniasis: patient meets in silico.
Unlocking the TCR repertoire for personalized cancer immunotherapies.
A systems biology approach for a comprehensive understanding of development and adaptation in Leishmania donovani.
Elucidating the role of alternative trans-splicing in the mRNA abundance regulation of Leishmania.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 17.03.2021
Last edited 13.11.2024
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