METHOD FOR ISOLATING HEPATITIS C VIRUS PEPTIDES

摘要

Described are methods for isolating Hepatitis C Virus peptides (HPs) that have a binding capacity to a MHC/HLA molecule or a complex comprising the HCV-peptide and the MHC/HLA molecule. In one aspect, these methods include providing a pool of HCV-peptide, said pool containing HCV-peptides which bind to said MHC/HLA molecule and HCV-peptides which do not bind to said MHC/HLA molecule, contacting said MHC/HLA molecule with said pool of HCV-peptides whereby a HCV-peptide which has a binding capacity to said MHC/HLA molecule binds to said MHC/HLA molecule and a complex comprising said HCV-peptide and said MHC/HLA molecule is formed, detecting and optionally separating said complex from the HCV-peptide which do not bind to said MHC/HLA molecule and optionally isolating and characterizing the HCV-peptide from said complex. Also described are immunogenic compositions that stimulate a specific T cell response to hepatitis C virus when administered to a subject in an effective amount.