T cell responses to the human papillomavirus type 16 E7 protein in mice of different haplotypes

The response of murine T cells to the E7 molecule of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) was studied using eight different mouse strains of six distinct H-2 haplotypes. HPV-16 E7 protein was prepared as a fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase, purified by affinity chromatography and used for immunization. Cells from the lymph nodes were cultured with whole fusion protein, glutathione-S-transferase or HPV-16 E7 protein synthetic peptides. All the mouse strains tested, with the exception of BALB/c, recognized the E7 molecule, as evidenced by a proliferative response to at least two of the peptides. The profile of responses to peptides varied between and within, strain, but five distinct immunodominant regions could be identified. These regions were defined on the basis of a reaction to one or more peptides in a given part of the E7 molecule by at least four strains. The five regions were encompassed by amino acid residues 1 to 9, 17 to 32, 42 to 59, 62 to 77 and 87 to 98. The findings suggest that in an outbred population, such as man, the E7 molecule of HPV-16 would be recognized by a large proportion of the population. However, the poor response of two mouse strains [B10.RIII (71NS) and BALB/c] could also have a corollary in man