Identification of a universal antigen epitope of influenza A virus using peptide microarray

Abstract Background Hemagglutinin is a major surface protein in influenza A virus (IAV), and HA2 relative conserved among different IAVs. It will be meaningful to identify broad-spectrum epitopes based on the protein. Results Overlapping peptides of H5N1 IAV A/Mallard/Huadong/S/2005 were synthesized loaded modified silica gel film form microarray, antisera against subtypes IAVs used screen universal epitopes. The selected epitope was further confirmed by western blotting using anti-peptide immune serum viruses rescued with amino acid substitution. results showed that 485-FYHKCDNECME-495 H5 14th peptide had binding activity H1, H3, H4, H5, H6, H7, H8, H9, H10 subtype IAV. Substitution acids (K or D) resulted decreased binding, indicating they critical residues for activity. In Immune Epitope Database, some containing 14–4 as MHC-II-restricted CD4 T cell effects releasing IL-2 IFN. Conclusion identified should novel target detection vaccine design its ability generate protection needs exploration.