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Identification of HLA‐DRB1*09:01‐restricted Mycobacterium tuberculosis CD4+ T‐cell epitopes

CD4+ T cells play an essential role in protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection. We identified three HLA‐DRB1*09:01‐restricted CD4+ T‐cell epitopes derived from the dominant secreted MTB antigens 38 kDa (Rv3804c) and Ag85A (Rv0934). The antigens were screened for epitopes by in silico prediction programs and analysis of IFN‐γ induction in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from TB patients. In response to three of the high‐affinity predicted epitopes derived from 38 kDa and Ag85A, CD4+ T cells from HLA‐DRB1*09:01 TB patients were stimulated to produce IFN‐γ and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)‐α. The three epitopes were also found to induce the proliferation of CD4+ T cells by carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester‐diluted assays. These HLA‐DRB1*09:01‐restricted CD4+ T‐cell epitopes facilitate analysis of the role of 38 kDa‐ and Ag85A‐specific T cells in MTB infection and pave way for the design of vaccines against tuberculosis.