Introduction:

Introduction: Epitope-based vaccines present a rational alternative to conventional concepts of vaccine design, particularly for combating complex infectious agents such as tuberculosis (TB). We have previously identified the multi-epitope cluster Ep85B, a linear 28 amino acid peptide within the mycobacterial Ag85B protein, which is capable of eliciting CD4+ and memory CD4+CD45RO+ T-cell populations in vitro in human whole blood cells. In this report, we investigated the suitability of Ep85B for animal immunizations, and endeavored to demonstrate whether this epitope harbors the potential to induce both cell-mediated and humoral immune responses in vivo.

Results:

Results: Cytokine bead array displayed a significant increase of IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF-α in the culture supernatant of splenocytes from the mice immunized with Ep85B compared to the naïve mice indicating the activation of a mixed Th1/Th2 cells. There was an increase of IgG and IgM antibody levels in the serum of mice immunized with Ep85B confirming the ability of the epitope to elicit humoral responses.

Conclusion:

Conclusion: In silico predicted Ep85B epitope of mycobacterial Ag85B protein can elicit both cellular and humoral responses in mice.

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