Dengue virus-derived CD8+ T-cell epitopes (DENV CD8+ T-cell epitopes)

Dengue virus-derived CD8+ T-cell epitopes are short peptide sequences, typically 8 to 11 amino acids in length, derived from the polyprotein of the Dengue virus (DENV) and presented on the surface of infected cells by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I molecules [2, 7]. These epitopes are primarily located within the non-structural proteins of the virus, such as NS3, NS4B, and NS5, which are highly conserved across the four DENV serotypes [5, 10]. Recognition of these epitopes by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) triggers an adaptive immune response characterized by the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines like interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), as well as the direct lysis of infected cells through the release of perforin and granzymes [1, 3]. In the context of DENV infection, CD8+ T-cell responses are generally considered protective, contributing significantly to viral clearance and reducing the risk of severe disease manifestations like Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) [4, 11]. Consequently, these epitopes are critical targets for the development of next-generation T-cell-based vaccines and immunotherapies aimed at providing broad, serotype-independent protection while minimizing the risk of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) [9, 10]. However, the effectiveness of targeting these epitopes can be influenced by the host's HLA genotype and the phenomenon of original antigenic sin, where memory T cells from a prior infection with a different serotype may exhibit suboptimal or pathological responses [4, 12].

Other names

Dengue virus MHC class I epitopesDENV CD8+ epitopesDENV cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitopesDengue virus T-cell antigens

Vaccine-mediated presentation of epitopes via MHC class I to activate CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, leading to the destruction of virus-infected cells and secretion of antiviral cytokines.