The Study of a Helper T-cell Epitope in Hepatitis C Virus Non-structural 3 Protein

The genes of C terminal of HCV NS3 region of two chronic patients in two different time were sequenced to analyse the conservation of a helper T cell epitope in HCV NS3 protein (amino acids 1248 to 1261). The epitope was synthesized and the immune response to it in a self limited patient and two chronic patients was detected using T lymphocyte proliferation assay and inhibition experiment. The epitope specific T cell line was established by several cycles of stimulation relax stimulation and analysed with a FACScan. The results indicated that the epitope didn't change in two chronic patients, all three patients had strong CD4 + T cell reponse to the epitope, and epitope specific CD4 + T cell line was established. These data suggest that the eptiope is a conserved strong helper T cell epitope and could become a promising candidate for designing a CD4 + T cell vaccine.