HLA-directed bioinformatics approach for genome-wide mapping of dengue CTL epitopes

Aim: In silico approach was used to predict cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes from the proteome of all four dengue serotypes. Methods: The immune epitope database analysis resource was used to analyze the CTL epitopes of dengue serotypes. The prediction of epitopes was done against nine high frequency HLA class I alleles occurring worldwide. Results: A total of 2784 epitopes were predicted from all four dengue virus proteomes. Immune epitope database analysis resource tool predicted 202 epitopes as positive for immunogenecity. A total of 39 of 257 consensus epitopes predicted were present in all four serotypes. This study identified nine new class I-restricted epitopes. Conclusion: Mapping of these potentially immunogenic dengue epitopes paves the way for future investigation of their utility as vaccine candidates to prevent or treat dengue virus infections.