A novel linear neutralizing epitope of hepatitis E virus

Vaccine. 2015 Jul 9;33(30):3504-11. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.05.065. Epub 2015 Jun 4.

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a serious public health problem that causes acute hepatitis in humans and is primarily transmitted through fecal and oral routes. The major anti-HEV antibody responses are against conformational epitopes located in a.a. 459-606 of HEV pORF2. All reported neutralization epitopes are present on the dimer domain constructed by this peptide. While looking for a neutralizing monoclonal antibody (MAb)-recognized linear epitope, we found a novel neutralizing linear epitope (L2) located in a.a. 423-437 of pORF2. Moreover, epitope L2 is proved non-immunodominant in the HEV-infection process. Using the hepatitis B virus core protein (HBc) as a carrier to display this novel linear epitope, we show herein that this epitope could induce a neutralizing antibody response against HEV in mice and could protect rhesus monkeys from HEV infection. Collectively, our results showed a novel non-immunodominant linear neutralizing epitope of hepatitis E virus, which provided additional insight of HEV vaccine.

Keywords: Hepatitis E virus; Linear epitope; Neutralization; Nonimmunodominant; Vaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / blood
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood*
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Epitope Mapping*
  • Epitopes / immunology*
  • Female
  • Hepatitis E / immunology
  • Hepatitis E / prevention & control
  • Hepatitis E virus / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Epitopes