IN SILICO PREDICTION OF EPITOPES OF COMMENSAL VIRUS THAT CROSS-REACT WITH HUMAN AUTOANTIGENS

Abstract

The prevalence and epidemiology of autoimmune diseases in developed, as well as in developing countries have increased over the past decade. The human body consists of trillions of microorganisms and the composition is unique to each individual. It consists of commensal as well as pathogenic viruses. The interactions between host-microbiota helps to regulate immune system. However, there are many factors that can alter the interactions which ultimately leads to dysbiosis. Dysbiosis can lead to development of autoimmune diseases along with other complex diseases. Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites. Commensal viruses is a new concept because there can be some viruses which may not be detrimental to human body. However, sometimes autoimmune reactions are generated as a result of cross-reactivity of epitopes of virus with autoantigens of humans. This study aims, to find various commensal viruses found in human body, to predict potential epitopes in viruses, sequence homology with autoantigens of humans and to check binding energy of viral epitopes with MHC class I and T-cell receptor. This will help us to develop new preventive and therapeutic strategies.