Customized MHC Class I & II restricted peptides from clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis tweak strong cellular immune response in Healthy individuals and Pulmonary Tuberculosis patients: A potential candidate in vaccine design

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health challenge as annual mortality rate due to drug resistant TB is increasing exponentially. This is mostly associated with the delayed diagnosis of Multidrug-resistant (MDR) or latent TB. Effective management of TB demands development of novel immunological strategies, such as peptide-based/subunit vaccines that can stimulate specific immune responses. In this context, we evaluated the immunogenic potential of two Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class I/II-restricted peptides from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis): Rv2588c and Rv0148. The peptides were tested on T and monocyte populations from healthy donors and pulmonary TB (PTB) patients. Flow cytometry analysis revealed significant T cell activation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from both groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) demonstrated a strong IFN-γ response, confirming effective T cell activation. Additionally, these peptides induced increased nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophages, indicating their role in activating the innate immune system. Overall, Rv2588c and Rv0148 peptides exhibited robust immunogenicity, stimulating both adaptive and innate immune responses in PBMCs from healthy and PTB individuals. These findings highlight their potential as promising TB vaccine candidates, paving the way for improved TB treatment and prevention strategies.