'Hepitopes': A Database of HLA Class I Epitopes in Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

This dataset is a spreadsheet containing the results of a systematic literature review to identify and curate all known and putative HLA Class I epitopes in hepatitis B virus (HBV). We performed our literature review in January 2016, searching Medline and Embase via the OVID search interface made available by the University of Oxford. No date restrictions were imposed; Medline was searched from 1946-2016 and Embase from 1974-2016. The relevant subject headings for Epitopes, HLA Antigens, CD8 Antigens and Hepatitis B from the thesauri (MESH and EMTREE) were exploded and searched. In addition the terms epitope* (to pick up singular and plural) and Hepatitis B and HBV were searched in the title and abstract fields. We also identified additional references by searching the bibliographies of relevant articles. As well as details of each citation, we recorded the HBV protein and sequence-numbered location of each epitope (based on a published reference strain; Liu WC, et al. Aligning to the sample-specific reference sequence to optimize the accuracy of next-generation sequencing analysis for hepatitis B virus. Hepatol Int 2016;10:147-157). Each citation was reviewed by a primary reviewer and then again by a second expert to ensure the records are as accurate as possible. Over time, we aim to update and refine the dataset such that it becomes a growing resource for virologists, immunologists and those in the field of vaccine design. A live interactive version of these data can be viewed at http://www.expmedndm.ox.ac.uk/hepitopes. The visualisation code can be viewed at https://github.com/ox-it/hepitopes. Chronic infection with hepatitis b virus (HBV) is a global health problem estimated to affect 240 million people worldwide. A successful prophylactic vaccine has contributed to lowering the incidence, but individuals with established infection often remain committed to life-long antiviral therapy. For these reasons, increased clinical and scientific scrutiny is being applied to develop new therapeutic approaches with an ultimate goal of achieving cure. The adaptive immune response is recognized to play a crucial role in containment and clearance of chronic viral infections. Defining the optimum natural immune responses that hinge on HLA-class I mediated epitope presentation to CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes may help to inform novel immunotherapeutic strategies. We therefore performed a systematic literature review to identify all published HLA Class I epitopes in HBV. We also collected information regarding the methods used to define the epitope, and any reported associations between an immune response to this epitope and disease outcome. The resulting database, 'Hepitopes', is available at http://www.expmedndm.ox.ac.uk/hepitopes. This database will be maintained as a live open access resource that is refined and updated over time. This database represents a unique new resource, and is an important foundation for ongoing investigations into the nature and impact of the HLA Class I mediated CD8+ T cell response to HBV infection. This work was funded by a Wellcome Trust fellowship.