IMMUNO-REACTIVE PEPTIDE CTL EPITOPES OF HUMAN CYTOMEGALOVIRUS

摘要

The invention provides a plurality of peptides (and immunologically function al variants thereof) which are immunogenic epitopes recognized by CD8+ class I MHC restricted cytotoxic T-lymphocytes of patients harboring latent human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. The peptides are capable of activating CTL s and CTLps in the absence of active viral replication, and thus are useful fo r eliciting a cellular immune response against HCMV by normal and immunodeficient subjects. Peptide and lipopeptide vaccines, with and without adjuvants, also are disclosed. Cellular vaccines comprising the peptides for m a further embodiment of this invention.