A multistage-polyepitope vaccine protects against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in HLA-DR3 transgenic mice

► A polyepitope TB vaccine was designed from five HLA-DR3-restricted T-cell epitopes. ► Epitopes are derived from Mtb proteins expressed by replicating and dormant bacilli. ► Polyepitope immunization of HLA-DR3 mice induced immunity against Mtb. ► Polyepitope immunization reduced CFU in lungs of HLA-DR3 mice after live Mtb challenge.