Identification of gene sequences and proteins involved in vaccinia virus dominant T cell epitopes

摘要

The present invention relates to the identification of gene sequences and proteins involved in vaccinia virus dominant T cell epitopes. Three vaccinia virus CD8⁺ T cell epitopes restricted by the most common human M.C. class I allele, HLA-A0201, were identified. Each of these epitopes is highly conserved in vaccinia and variola viruses. In addition, the induction of the T cell responses following primary vaccination with two of these epitopes is demonstrated by the kinetics of epitope specific CD8⁺ T cells in 3 HLA-A0201 individuals. Two vaccinia virus CD8⁺ T cell epitopes restricted by another common human M.C. class I allele, HLA-B7, also were identified. Both epitopes are highly conserved in vaccinia and variola viruses. This information will be useful for the design and analysis of the immunogenicity of experimental vaccinia vaccines, and for basic studies of human T cell memory.