Search results

Forty-two antigenic domains were identified across the hepatitis A virus (HAV) polyprotein by using a set of 237 overlapping 20-mer synthetic peptides spanning the entire HAV polyprotein. Nineteen antigenic domains were found within the structural proteins, and 22 were found within the nonstructural proteins, with 1 domain spanning the junction of VP1 and P2A proteins. Five of these domains were considered immunodominant, as judged by both the breadth and the strength of their immunoreactivity. One domain is located within the VP2 protein at position 57-90 aa. A second domain, located at position 767-842 aa, contains the C-terminal part of the VP1 protein and the entire P2A protein. A third domain, located at position 1403-1456 aa, comprises the C-terminal part of the P2C protein and the N-terminal half of the P3A protein. The fourth domain, located at position 1500-1519 aa, includes almost the entire P3B, and the last domain, located at position 1719-1764 aa, contains the C-terminal region of the P3C protein and the N-terminal region of the P3D protein. Four of the five most immunoreactive domains are derived from small HAV proteins and/or encompass protein cleavage sites separating different HAV proteins.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV), the major etiologic agent of enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis worldwide, is a spherical, non-enveloped, single stranded RNA virus that is approximately 32 to 34 nm in diameter. HEV belongs to a genus of HEV-like viruses (unassigned genus). HEV has a single-stranded polyadenylated RNA genome of approximately 8 kb. Based on its physicochemical properties it is presumed to be a calici-like virus.

Forty-two antigenic domains were identified across the hepatitis A virus (HAV) polyprotein by using a set of 237 overlapping 20-mer synthetic peptides spanning the entire HAV polyprotein. Nineteen antigenic domains were found within the structural proteins, and 22 were found within the nonstructural proteins, with 1 domain spanning the junction of VP1 and P2A proteins. Five of these domains were considered immunodominant, as judged by both the breadth and the strength of their immunoreactivity. One domain is located within the VP2 protein at position 57-90 aa. A second domain, located at position 767-842 aa, contains the C-terminal part of the VP1 protein and the entire P2A protein. A third domain, located at position 1403-1456 aa, comprises the C-terminal part of the P2C protein and the N-terminal half of the P3A protein. The fourth domain, located at position 1500-1519 aa, includes almost the entire P3B, and the last domain, located at position 1719-1764 aa, contains the C-terminal region of the P3C protein and the N-terminal region of the P3D protein. Four of the five most immunoreactive domains are derived from small HAV proteins and/or encompass protein cleavage sites separating different HAV proteins.

Interleukin-6 or Il-6 is a cytokine with a large assortment of biological functions. IL-6 it has a crucial part in the last differentiation of b-cells into ig-secreting cells. This cytokine also induces myeloma and plasmacytoma growth. Interleukin-6 induces nerve cells differentiation, among hepatocytes it induces acute phase reactants.

CD40L or CD154 is a membrane glycoprotein and differentiation antigen expressed on the surface of T-cells. The CD40 ligand stimulates B-cell proliferation and secretion of all immunoglobulin isotypes in the presence of cytokines . CD40 ligand has been shown to induce cytokine production and tumoricidal activity in peripheral blood monocytes. It also costimulates proliferation of activated T-cells and this is accompanied by the production of IFN-gamma , TNF-alpha , and IL2 .

IL-7 is a cytokine important for B and T cell development. This cytokine and the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) form a heterodimer that functions as a pre-pro-B cell growth-stimulating factor. This cytokine is found to be a cofactor for V(D)J rearrangement of the T cell receptor beta (TCRB) during early T cell development. This cytokine can be produced locally by intestinal epithelial and epithelial goblet cells, and may serve as a regulatory factor for intestinal mucosal lymphocytes. Knockout studies in mice suggested that this cytokine plays an essential role in lymphoid cell survival.

Human IL-36a belongs to the IL-1 family which includes IL-1b, IL-1a, IL-1ra, IL-18, IL-36ra (IL1F5), IL-36b (IL1F8), IL-36g (IL1F9), IL-37 (IL1F7) and IL-38 (IL-1F10). The IL-1 family members display a 12 b-strand, b-trefoil configuration, and are thought to have ascended from a mutual ancestral gene. IL-36a is an 18-22kDa, 158aa intracellular and secreted protein which holds no signal sequence, no prosegment and no potential from N-linked glycosylation sites. IL-36a is released as a reaction to LPS and the cell ATP-induced activation of the P2X7 receptor.
Human IL-36a (aa 6-158) shares 57-68% aa sequence homology with mouse, rabbit, equine and bovine IL-36a and 27-57% aa sequence homology with other new IL-1 family members. IL-36a is mostly found in skin and lymphoid tissues, but also in fetal brain, trachea, stomach and intestine.

Leukocyte Cell-Derived Chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) functions as a chemotactic factor to neutrophils. LECT2 stimulates the proliferation of chondrocytes and osteoblasts. LECT2 is strongly expressed in the liver and weakly in the testis. LECT2 is a secreted, 16kDa protein which serves as a chemotactic factor to neutrophils and stimulates the growth of chondrocytes and osteoblasts. LECT2 protein has a high sequence similarity to the chondromodulin repeat regions of the chicken myb-induced myeloid 1 protein. A polymorphism in the LECT2 gene is linked with rheumatoid arthritis.

Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2 (HAVCR2) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. HACVR2 controls macrophage activation. HACVR2 inhibits T-helper type 1 lymphocyte (Th1)-mediated auto- and alloimmune responses and stimulates immunological tolerance.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 19 (CCL19) is a small cytokine belonging to the CC chemokine family that is also known as EBI1 ligand chemokine (ELC) and macrophage inflammatory protein-3-beta (MIP-3-beta). CCL19 is expressed abundantly in thymus and lymph nodes, with moderate levels in trachea and colon and low levels in stomach, small intestine, lung, kidney and spleen. The gene for CCL19 is located on human chromosome 9. This chemokine elicits its effects on its target cells by binding to the chemokine receptor chemokine receptor CCR7. It attracts certain cells of the immune system, including dendritic cells and antigen-engaged B cells.

IFN-gamma produced by lymphocytes activated by specific antigens or mitogens.
IFN-gamma, in addition to having antiviral activity, has important immunoregulatory functions, it is a potent activator of macrophages, and has antiproliferative effects on transformed cells and it can potentiate the antiviral and antitumor effects of the type I interferons.

THYN1, is greatly conserved among vertebrates and plant types. TYHN1 takes part in the induction of apoptosis. THYN1 in the thymocytes was primarily found in the nucleus, as shown in lymphoma cells, demonstrating that the THYN1 is localized in the nucleus, regardless of the cyclic or resting stage of the cell cycle.

CD27 belongs to the TNF-receptor superfamily. CD27 is necessary for initiation and long-term maintenance of T cell immunity. CD27 binds to ligand CD70, and has a crucial role in regulating B-cell activation and immunoglobulin synthesis. The CD27 receptor transduces signals which result in the activation of NF-kappaB and MAPK8/JNK. Adaptor proteins TRAF2 and TRAF5 mediate the signaling process of CD27. CD27-binding protein (SIVA), which is a proapoptotic protein, can bind to the CD27 receptor and is believed to have a significant role in the apoptosis induced by CD27.

Tumor necrosis factor is a cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and is a member of a group of cytokines that all stimulate the acute phase reaction. TNF is mainly secreted by macrophages.
TNF causes apoptotic cell death, cellular proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, tumorigenesis and viral replication, TNF is also involved in lipid metabolism, and coagulation. TNF's primary role is in the regulation of immune cells.
Dysregulation and, in particular, overproduction of TNF have been implicated in a variety of human diseases- autoimmune diseases, and cancer.

Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2S (UBE2S) belongs to the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme family. UBE2S is able to form a thiol ester linkage with ubiquitin in a ubiquitin activating enzyme-dependent manner, a typical property of ubiquitin carrier proteins. UBE2S catalyzes the covalent attachment of ubiquitin to other proteins. UBE2S acts as a crucial factor of the anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), which is a cell cycle-regulated ubiquitin ligase that controls progression through mitosis. UBE2S acts by purposely elongating 'Lys-11'-linked polyubiquitin chains initiated by the E2 enzyme UBE2C/UBCH10 on APC/C substrates, augmenting the degradation of APC/C substrates by the proteasome and promoting mitotic exit. UBE2S also acts by elongating ubiquitin chains initiated by the E2 enzyme UBE2D1/UBCH5 in vitro; it is nevertheless uncertain whether UBE2D1/UBCH5 acts as an E2 enzyme for the APC/C in vivo. UBE2S is also involved in ubiquitination and consequent degradation of VHL, resulting in an accumulation of HIF1A.

H1N1 is a subtype specie of Influenza A virus. H1N1 Influenza Virus has mutated into various strains such as the Spanish Flustrain, mild humanflu strains, endemic pigstrains, and various strains found in birds. The Influenza A Virus is a globular particle about 100nm in diameter, sheathed in a lipid bilayer derived from the plasma membrane of its host. Studded in the lipid bilayer are two integral membrane proteins some 500 molecules of hemagglutinin ("H") and some 100 molecules of neuraminidase ("N"). Within the lipid bilayer are 3000 molecules of matrix protein and 8 pieces of RNA. Each of the 8 RNA molecules is associated with many copies of a nucleoprotein, several molecules of the three subunits of its RNA polymerase some "non-structural" protein molecules of uncertain function.

Since April 2012, cases of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been identified in the following countries: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Yemen, Lebanon, Iran, Algeria, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Greece, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Tunisia, Egypt, Malaysia, Turkey and the United States of America. Coronaviruses are the cause of the common cold, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and other severe illnesses with high mortality rates, all are classified into coronavirus family. MERS-CoV is a new type of SARS found in the coronavirus family causing severe pneumonia with sudden and serious respiratory illness with high mortality rates as well. Since January 27th 2015, the WHO has reported 956 human cases, including 351 deaths. More cases of the new coronavirus strain are expected. Like in other coronaviruses, large surface spike glycoprotein is a central structural protein of this virus; it is located above the virion surface to bind and enter into the target cell. Spike protein has 2 domains- S1 and S2. The S1 domain is responsible for cellular tropism and interaction with target cell, while the S2 domain is responsible for membrane fusion. The C-terminal of S1 domain contains a receptor binding domain, and is also a potential target for vaccine development and an antigen for diagnosis.

Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is a 17 kD transcriptional coactivator that plays a significant role in the regulation of genes involved in inflammation and cell survival. It regulates many transcription factors including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) and plays a key role in hepatocarcinogenesis. rHBx facilitates the binding of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) to its responsive element. rHBx stabilizes the cellular coactivator ASC-2 through direct protein-protein interaction, affecting the regulation of genes actively transcribed in liver cancer cells. HBx transactivates both JNK and MAPK signal transduction pathways in association with the mobilization of cytosolic Ca2+. The communication between HBx and general transcription factor TFIIB is also one of the mechanisms which account for its transcriptional transactivation. HBx decreased the expression of PTEN a known tumor suppressor and a negative regulator of phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase/AKT and HBx decreased the expression of PTEN in HBx-transfected cells. The etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is involved with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and HBx in particular plays a role in the development of HBV-related HCC. The persistence of HBx is important to the pathogenesis of early HCC and HBx expression in the liver during chronic HBV infection may be an important prognostic marker for the development of HCC.

CTSE or cathepsin E is an intracellular aspartic protease from the pepsin protein family. CTSE has a crucial part in protein degradation, creating bioactive proteins & processing antigens. The enzyme is responsible for cleaving at B site, Swedish mutant of amyloid precursor protein and the enzyme shows reactivity with the wild-type APP.

Interleukin-13 is a pleiotropic regulatory cytokine, which shares many of the properties of Interleukin-4. IL-13 is produced primarily by activated T lymphocytes and acts via specific cell surface receptor complexes. Its biological activities include the stimulation of B-cell proliferation and differentiation and the regulation of inflammatory and immune responses.

BPNT1 belongs to the magnesium-dependent, lithium-sensitive phosphomono-esterase superfamily. BPNT1 catalyzes the conversion of PAPS (adenosine 3'-phosphate 5' phosphosulfate) to APS (adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate) and the conversion of PAP (3'(2')-phosphoadenosine 5' phosphate) to AMP (adenosine 5'-phosphate) using magnesium as a cofactor. BPNT1 is expressed everywhere but at maximum levels in brain and kidney. BPNT1 is potently inhibited by lithium, a drug used for the treatment of manic depression and bipolar affective disorder, which suggests that BPNT1 has a possible role in the etiology of mood disorders.

IL-12 is a heterodimeric cytokine that stimulates the production of interferon gamma from T-cells and natural killer cells, and also induces differentiation of Th1 helper cells. It is an initiator of cell-mediated immunity.

Interleukin 2 receptor is a protein that involves immune responses that are mediated through T cells. The IL2 receptor exists in three ways in which it can bind to IL2. CD25 is the lowest affinity (a monomer of the alpha subunit), therefore, it is not part of the signal transduction process. The highest affinity has three heterotrimer subunits (alpha/beta/gamma), the intermediate affinity is found to have gamma/beta subunit heterodimer. Both forms are part of the receptor mediated endocytosis and mitogenic signals transduction from IL2.

IL-36gamma belongs to the IL-1 family which includes IL-1b, IL-1a, IL-1ra, IL-18, IL-36 Ra (IL-1F5), IL-36a (IL-1F6), IL-36b (IL-1F8), IL-37 (IL-1F7) and IL-1F10. ). The IL-1 family members display a 12 b-strand, b-trefoil configuration, and are thought to have ascended from a mutual ancestral gene. IL-36g is an 18-22 kDa, 169aa intracellular and secreted protein which holds no signal sequence, no prosegment and no potential N-linked glycosylation sites. Human IL-36g shares 58%- 69% aa sequence homology with mouse, rat, bovine and equine IL-36g, and 23 - 57% aa sequence homology with other family members. The IL-36g receptor is a mixture of IL-1 Rrp2, mostly located in epithelia and keratinocytes, and the extensively expressed IL-1 RAcP. All IL-36 (a, b and g) activate N F-?B and MAPK pathways in an IL-1 Rrp2 dependent reaction. Additionally, IL-36g induces production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines like CXCL8/IL-8.