Identification of three novel CTL epitopes within nucleocapsid protein of Hantaan virus

Hantaan virus (HTNV) is a member of the Hantavirus genus that causes human hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in humans. The CTL response seems to play a key role in control of viral infection, but only a few HTNV epitopes recognized by the CTLs have been reported. Herein, we screened a panel of overlapping peptides covering the HTNV nucleocapsid protein by ELISPOT assays for those that can elicit IFN-γ production in vitro. Three novel CD8(+) CTL epitopes, N197-205 (RYRTAVCGL), N245-253 (KLLPDTAAV), and N258-266 (GPATNRDYL), were defined on the nucleocapsid protein and were found to be restricted by various HLA alleles including A11, A24, and B7. The epitopes were highly conserved among the reported HTNV strains and other hantanviruses, including Dobrava-Belgrade virus and Seoul virus, supporting their potential use in vaccine designs.