Progress made towards the development of a CMV peptide vaccine

Hum Immunol. 2004 May;65(5):544-9. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2004.02.005.

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus disease still remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients. The cell-mediated immune response is essential in the maintenance of latency and the resolution of primary infections. The identification of immunodominant cytomegalovirus antigens has enabled researchers to determine the best candidate antigens to be included in a cytomegalovirus vaccine. Such a vaccine would have to stimulate both a cell-mediated and humoral immune response. Recent advances have enabled the rapid identification of minimal cytotoxic epitopes required to trigger such responses. Epitope mapping to date has mainly focused on the pp65 antigen but other antigens such as IE1 are starting to be mapped. A human leukocyte antigen allele hierarchy is starting to emerge that is dependent on the alleles present in an individual; this is relevant when considering what peptides should be included in a vaccine. This review looks at the current methods available for epitope mapping and the progress that has been made to date.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Viral / genetics
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cytomegalovirus / genetics
  • Cytomegalovirus / immunology*
  • Cytomegalovirus / metabolism
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / immunology
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / therapy
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / analysis
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Genetic Vectors / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / genetics
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Peptide Fragments / genetics
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics
  • Phosphoproteins / immunology
  • Vaccines, Subunit / immunology
  • Vaccines, Subunit / therapeutic use
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / immunology
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • IE1 protein, cytomegalovirus
  • Immediate-Early Proteins
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Vaccines, Subunit
  • Viral Matrix Proteins
  • Viral Proteins
  • cytomegalovirus matrix protein 65kDa