丙型肝炎病毒基因组C区和NS3区基因cDNA的融合及其在大肠杆菌中的表达与初步应用

通过逆转录（ＲＴ）－聚合酶链式反应（ＰＣＲ）,从中国人丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ）携带者的血清中扩增并克隆到２段ｃＤＮＡ片段,即ＨＣＶ基因组Ｃ区抗原基因Ｃ８３１ｃＤＮＡ片断（约５３０ｂｐ）和ＮＳ３区抗原基因Ｃ３３ｃｃＤＮＡ片段（约８６０ｂｐ）。Ｃ３３ｃｃＤＮＡ片段同Ｃ８３１ｃＤＮＡ片段经连接　　　肽Ｓｅｒ－Ｐｒｏ－Ｇｌｙ－Ｓｅｒ连接成为基因嵌合体Ｃ３３ｃ－Ｃ８３１（约１４００ｂｐ）。Ｃ３３ｃ－Ｃ８３１基因嵌合体同温控型原核表达载体ｐＢＶ２２０重组,构建成表达质粒ｐＢＶ／Ｃ３３ｃ－Ｃ８３１,并在大肠杆菌细胞中获得了重组嵌合抗原Ｃ３３ｃ－ＣＬ的表达。通过酶切分析和Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ免疫印迹法,对约占菌体可溶性蛋白９％的表达产物做了鉴定。采用ＴｒｉｔｏｎＸ－１００和盐析处理,获得粗提表达产物。粗提的表达产物经尿素裂解和离子交换层析纯化,得到可用于检测抗ＨＣＶ核壳蛋白和抗ＮＳ３区抗体的重组嵌合抗原Ｃ３３ｃ－ＣＬ。对Ｃ３３ｃ－ＣＬ做抗原性分析发现,它同时具有完整的Ｃ３３ｃ抗原和Ｃ２２抗原的免疫反应活性,完全能替代单纯的Ｃ３３ｃ和Ｃ２２抗原。该嵌合抗原在血清学诊断中有重要的应用价值,可望成为新一代ＨＣＶＥＩＡ诊断试剂的优选抗原。     

四价HCV聚合抗原的克隆,表达及在抗—HCV ELISA试剂中的应用

本研究通过反转录从丙肝病人血清中克隆了丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ）Ｃ３３ｃ基因,通过ＤＮＡ合成法又分别合成了编码ＨＣＶ核心抗原基因,ＮＳ４抗原及ＮＳ５抗原部分抗原决定簇的基因,利用基因工程手段,在大肠杆菌中表达了含有上述四种抗原的融合蛋白。该融合蛋白具有良好的抗原性和特异性,以该融合蛋白为抗原制备的抗－ＨＣＶＥＬＩＳ试剂检测了中国药品生物制品检定所１９８份标准血清时,其阳性,阴性符合分别达９７％和９８％     

丙肝病毒融合抗原基因NS3-C定点整合入衣藻叶绿体基因组的研究

用ＰＣＲ 方法从丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ） ｃＤＮＡ 文库中克隆了两段ＤＮＡ 片段,即ＨＣＶ 基因组非结构ＮＳ３区抗原基因（约０．７ ｋｂ）和核心抗原Ｃ区抗原基因（约０．６ ｋｂ）的ｃＤＮＡ 片段。在两段ｃＤＮＡ 间加入连接肽Ｓｅｒ－ Ｐｒｏ－ Ｇｌｙ－ Ｓｅｒ 的密码子序列,构建成融合抗原基因ＮＳ３－ Ｃ。将该融合基因与衣藻叶绿体基因ａｔｐＡ 的启动子和ｒｂｃＬ 基因的３′末端连接,得到丙肝病毒融合抗原基因ＮＳ３－ Ｃ表达盒,再将该表达盒与选择标记基因ａａｄＡ 表达盒和衣藻叶绿体基因组同源片段连接,构建成衣藻叶绿体转化载体ｐＳＳ６。基因枪法转化衣藻叶绿体,经壮观霉素筛选获得转化再生的单藻落,对转基因衣藻的ＰＣＲ 和Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎ 杂交分析表明,融合抗原基因ＮＳ３－ Ｃ已整合到衣藻叶绿体基因组中。     

丙型肝炎病毒E2基因DNA免疫实验动物研究

将编码丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ）Ｅ２蛋白４１７～７５０位氨基酸的ＤＮＡ片段　克隆到真核表达载体ｐｃＤＮＡ　３．１（－）中的ＣＭＶ　ＩＥ启动子下游,构建成ＨＣＶ　Ｅ２重组真核表达质粒　ｐｃＥ２。ＥＬＩＳＡ法检测ｐｃＥ２　ＤＮＡ免疫兔血清中的Ｅ２抗体变化和维持规律,结果显示免疫２０ｄ已有　抗体产生,３０ｄ后开始进入高峰,４０ｄ时达到最高值,至第９０ｄ抗体水平保持平稳,抗体滴度　达到１∶１６００左右。流式细胞计数仪（ＦＡＣＳ）检测ｐｃＥ２　ＤＮＡ免疫鼠ＣＤ４＋、ＣＤ８＋Ｔ淋巴细胞变　化情况,与注射空载体ｐＣＤＮＡ３．１（－）的阴性鼠相比,ＣＤ４＋淋巴细胞水平略有上升,ＣＤ８＋　细胞水平有较大升高,增幅达３５．４６％。免疫组化检测结果显示注射ｐｃＥ２的小鼠组织中有明显　的阳性着色,而注射ｐｃＤＮＡ３．１（－）的对照组小鼠免疫组化结果为阴性。以上结果表明：ｐｃＥ２　在实验动物内表达出的ＨＣＶ　Ｅ２蛋白可以引起免疫动物的体液免疫应答和细胞免疫应答,尤其　是ＭＨＣ－１限制性杀伤性ＣＤ８＋Ｔ淋巴细胞水平的提高对清除　病毒是十分有利的,因此ＨＣＶ　Ｅ２　ＤＮＡ免疫有可能成为预防和治疗ＨＣＶ感染的一条新途径。     

丙型肝炎病毒非结构3区基因片段的克隆表达及抗原纯化鉴定

通过逆转录ＰＣＲ技术,从中国江苏省丙型肝炎病人血清中扩增克隆了丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ）的非结构３区的部分基因片段（Ｃ３３）。ＤＮＡ序列分析证实,该片段全长８４２ｂｐ。在合成的一对逆转录ＰＣＲ引物上,上游引物增加了ＮｃｏⅠ酶切位点（内含起始密码子ＡＴＧ）,下游引物上增加了ＳａｌⅠ酶切位点及终止密码子ＴＡＡ,将克隆的Ｃ３３基因片段克隆至表达载体ｐＢＶ２２１内,获得了表达Ｃ３３抗原的工程菌,表达Ｃ３３抗原分子过为３０ｋＤ,经尿素裂解纯化、分子筛分离纯化及复性后进行离子交换和反相亲和层析纯化,获得的重组蛋白经ＥＬＢＡ和免疫印迹等证实有较好的抗原性和特异性。     

含有Epstein-Barr病毒膜抗原的重组表达质粒及其基因免疫

将Ｅｐｓｔｅｉｎ－Ｂａｒ（ＥＢ）病毒主要的膜抗原（ＭＡ）ＢＬＬＦ１基因片段插入ｐＨＤ１０１－３质粒的ＣＭＶ启动子下游,构建了真核表达质粒ｐＨＤ－ｇｐ３５０,并转染２９３细胞进行瞬间表达。用免疫荧光法从细胞膜检测到表达的抗原能与其单克隆抗体发生特异性结合,Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ－ｂｌｏｔ法证实,表达的抗原分子量为３５０ｋＤ．用能在真核细胞表达的重组质粒ｐＨＤ－ｇｐ３５０的ＤＮＡ,经Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ２Ｂ柱纯化后,注射经普鲁卡因预处理的Ｂａｌｂ／Ｃ小鼠的四头肌,观察到ＥＢＶ－ＩｇＡ／ＭＡ抗体水平比ＥＢＶ－ＩｇＧ／ＭＡ低,而ＥＢＶ－ＩｇＡ／ＭＡ的持续时间比ＥＢＶ－ＩｇＧ／ＭＡ长。采用表达ＥＢＶＭＡ的质粒ＤＮＡ与ＣＨＯ细胞表达的ＭＡ蛋白免疫小鼠,均获得抗ＥＢＶＭＡ的抗体。     

丙型肝炎病毒抗原决定簇与霍乱毒素B亚基的融合表达以及融合蛋白的抗原性

通过固相化学合成法,合成了编码丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ）结构区和非结构区的４个抗原决定簇基因,这些抗原决定簇基因片段以不同方式串朕后与ｃｔｘＢ基因融合,构建了１２种表达不同嵌合蛋白的重组质粒。各重组质粒转化大肠杆菌后均能高效分泌性表达融合蛋白,表达产量随所融合的抗原决定簇不同在１０～５０μｇ／ｍｌ之间,表达水平主要与抗原决定簇的氨基酸组成有关,而与抗原决定簇的大小及串联次数关系不大。融合蛋白通过亲和层析纯化达到了电泳纯。对１１种融合蛋白中ＨＣＶ抗原决定簇的反应原性的研究表明,多数融合蛋白中ＨＣＶ抗原决定簇均能与对应的ＨＣＶ抗体结合。其中以融合蛋白９５０８２为抗原研制的抗－ＨＣＶＥＬＩＳＡ试剂具有良好的灵敏度和特异性。     

丙型肝炎病毒核心抗原高效表达及产物抗原性的研究

用含谷胱甘肽转硫酶（ＧＳＴ）基因的ｐＧｅｘ－２Ｔ为表达载体在大肠杆菌中高效表达了含ＨＣＶ核心区部分基因片段（约１２２个氢基酸）的融合蛋白,表达产物Ｃ２７经测定占菌体总蛋白的３０％,Ｃ２７纯化后,用我国ＨＣＶ诊断试剂第二代血清参考品为标准与Ｇ１１核心抗原进行比较,结果显示二者具有相同的总体检出率和近似的抗原活性。因此,推测表达的部分区段基因可能是核心区重要功能区域。另外融合蛋白对提高重组蛋白的抗原活性和分离纯化等均有一定作用。     

HCV非结构蛋白(NS2/NS3)基因表达载体的构建及其一级结构分析

应用逆转录－聚合酶链反应（ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ）技术,从ＨＣＶ感染者血清中扩增编码ＨＣＶ病毒蛋白酶的ＮＳ２－ＮＳ３ｃＤＮＡ片段,在其５′和３′端分别引入ＥｃｏＲⅠ和ＸｂａⅠ限制性内切酶位点,定向克隆至真核表达载体ｐｃＤＮＡ３,构建重组载体ｐｃＤＮＡ－ＮＳ２３,重组表达载体经限制性内切酶消化鉴定．用ＳＰ６和Ｔ７通用引物对目的基因片断进行序列分析．序列同源性分析结果表明,与ＨＣＶ－Ｊ、ＨＣ－Ｃ２有高度的同源性,与ＨＣＶ－１、ＨＣＶ－Ｊ６、ＨＣＶ－Ｊ８同源性差,提示所克隆的基因属ＨＣＶⅡ型．该区内重要的功能位点如Ｚｎ２＋依赖性金属蛋白酶催化中心、丝氨酸蛋白酶催化中心等均高度保守     

丙型肝炎病毒C+E1区基因在原核细胞中的克隆与表达

将丙型肝炎病毒Ｃ＋Ｅ１区基因插入到原核高效表达载体ｐＢＶ２２１质粒中,构建了质粒ｐＢＶ２２１ＨＣＶ／Ｃ＋Ｅ１作为表达载体,然后,将含有该质粒的宿主大肠杆菌进行升温诱导表达ＨＣＶ／Ｃ＋Ｅ１区基因,并对表达产物进行了生物活性的检测。结果表明,插入到表达载体ｐＢＶ２２１中的ＨＣＶ／Ｃ＋Ｅ１基因片段能够得到有效的表达,表达产物主要为非融合蛋白形式存在于细胞中,同时这种Ｃ区和Ｅ１区连接共表达的产物保持了良好的抗原活性     

Broad repertoire of the CD4+ Th cell response in spontaneously controlled hepatitis C virus infection includes dominant and highly promiscuous epitopes

A vigorous hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific Th cell response is regarded as essential to the immunological control of HCV viremia. The aim of this study was to comprehensively define the breadth and specificity of dominant HCV-specific CD4(+) T cell epitopes in large cohorts of subjects with chronic and spontaneously resolved HCV viremia. Following in vitro stimulation of PBMC, HCV-specific cell cultures from each subject were screened with an overlapping panel of synthetic 20-mer peptides spanning the entire HCV polyprotein. Of 22 subjects who spontaneously controlled HCV viremia, all recognized at least one of a group of six epitopes situated within the nonstructural (NS) proteins NS3, NS4, and NS5, each of which was detected by >30% of subjects, but most subjects recognized additional, more heterogeneous specificities. In contrast, none of the most frequently targeted epitopes was detected by >5% of persons with chronic infection. The most frequently recognized peptides showed promiscuous binding to multiple HLA-DR molecules in in vitro binding assays and were restricted by different HLA-DR molecules in functional assays in different persons. These data demonstrate that predominant CD4(+) T cell epitopes in persons with resolved HCV infection are preferentially located in the nonstructural proteins and are immunogenic in the context of multiple class II molecules. This comprehensive characterization of CD4(+) T cell epitopes in resolved HCV infection provides important information to facilitate studies of immunopathogenesis and HCV vaccine design and evaluation.     

Molecular cloning of HCV and clinical application

Abstract: Fifty-five clones encoding epitopes of HCV were isolated from Japanese patients. Their amino acid homology (AAH) to the sequence of prototype (HCV-1) ranged from 47% to 94%. These sequences cover 60% of the HCV genome lacking M/E and NS2 regions suggesting a very low or lacking immunogenecity for these regions. Two test kits for detection of anti-HCV antibody were developed using a combination of a synthetic peptide (AR142) containing the epitope of N14 (QRKTKRSTNRR) having a homology to the core of HCV of | fr | sol 8/11AA and a non-fusion recombinant protein Y19 starting from amino acid number (AAN) 1380 to 1507 in the NS3 region showing a AAH to the HCV-1 of 90%, and a combination of a mixture of three synthetic peptides of S29 AAN of 1–30, 38–65 and 47–74 of the core and a non-fused recombinant protein S4 AAN of 1287–1506 having a 93% AAH of the NS3 region. They showed almost the same order of sensitivity and specificity of the second-generation kits when tested with serum from blood donors and patients with non-A, non-B hepatitis. It should also be stressed that in all of the complete responders of a recombinant α-interferon therapy, the antibody levels against AR142 gradually decreased during and after the treatment. In 1992, studies performed for 125 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in our clinic shows that of these 16 patients might developed from either chronic non-B, non-C liver diseases or chronic liver diseases caused by mutant(s) of HCV as their serum were negative for HBsAg and second-generation of anti-HCV.     

A novel recombinant multiepitope protein as a hepatitis C diagnostic intermediate of high sensitivity and specificity

A novel recombinant multiepitope protein has been designed that consists of six linear, immunodominant, and phylogenetically conserved epitopes from hepatitis C virus. Five of these antigens (core, NS3, NS4I, NS4II, and NS5) are being used in many of the third-generation kits while sixth epitope (core3g) is an additional sequence from a newly identified Indian isolate. The genes for these epitopes have been joined together to code for a single multiepitope protein that has been evaluated for its diagnostic potential for the detection of anti-HCV antibodies in human plasma. Two separate synthetic genes have been designed, both encoding the same six epitopes in a single open reading frame along with spacers having additional amino acids to function as flexible (r-HCV-F-MEP) or rigid (r-HCV-R-MEP) linkers. High-level expression of hepatitis C multiepitope protein in Escherichia coli has been achieved. The protein has been purified using a single affinity step yielding >25 mg pure protein/liter culture and used as the coating antigen in anti-HCV EIA. The use of this multiepitope protein eliminates the requirement for multiple diagnostic intermediates for the development of anti-HCV diagnostic kit. The sensitivity and specificity of the HCV multiepitope protein was evaluated by Boston Biomedica Worldwide Performance Panels, HCV Seroconversion Panels and Viral Co-infection Panels, and was found to be comparable with commercially available anti-HCV EIA kits. This analysis indicated its unequivocal performance as capture antigen in anti-HCV EIA. The high epitope density, careful choice of epitopes and use of E. coli system for expression, coupled with simple purification protocol provides the potential for the development of an inexpensive diagnostic test with high degree of sensitivity and specificity.     

Hepatitis C virus core protein activates nuclear factor kappa B-dependent signaling through tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein, a viral nucleocapsid, has been shown to affect various intracellular events including the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling supposedly associated with inflammatory response, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. In order to elucidate the effect of HCV core protein on the NF-kappaB signaling in HeLa and HepG2 cells, a reporter assay was utilized. HCV core protein significantly activated NF-kappaB signaling in a dose-dependent manner not only in HeLa and HepG2 cells transiently transfected with core protein expression plasmid, but also in HeLa cells induced to express core protein under the control of doxycycline. HCV core protein increased the DNA binding affinity of NF-kappaB in the electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Acetyl salicylic acid, an IKKbeta-specific inhibitor, and dominant negative form of IKKbeta significantly blocked NF-kappaB activation by HCV core protein, suggesting HCV core protein activates the NF-kappaB pathway mainly through IKKbeta. Moreover, the dominant negative forms of TRAF2/6 significantly blocked activation of the pathway by HCV core protein, suggesting HCV core protein mimics proinflammatory cytokine activation of the NF-kappaB pathway through TRAF2/6. In fact, HCV core protein activated interleukin-1beta promoter mainly through NF-kappaB pathway. Therefore, this function of HCV core protein may play an important role in the inflammatory reaction induced by this hepatotropic virus.     

Characterization and binding of intracellular antibody fragments to the hepatitis C virus core protein.

The monoclonal antibody C7-50 binds to the HCV core protein with high sensitivity and specificity. The coding sequences of the variable domains of the antibody were determined following cDNA cloning of the Fab and sFv fragments. Subsequently, intracellular expression and binding of these antibody fragments to the HCV core protein as a potential antiviral approach were studied. There was high specificity and sensitivity of binding of bacterially expressed, recombinant C7-50 Fab to HCV core as measured by EIA and immunoblot. For expression in mammalian cells, the C7-50 antibody was subcloned in the sFv format by the introduction of a (Gly(4)Ser)(3) linker spaced between light and heavy chains. Northern and Western blot analysis as well as confocal microscopy established the targeted expression of the C7-50 sFv antibody fragment in the endoplasmic reticulum of transfected cells. The colocalization and intracellular binding of the antibody fragment to HCV core protein was confirmed by immunoprecipitation and subsequent immunoblot analysis. This study demonstrates that gene delivery of cDNA coding sequences inducing intracellular expression of C7-50 antibody fragments leads to binding of the antibody fragment to the HCV core protein within the secretory compartment of transfected cells. Intracellular immunization represents a promising antiviral approach to interfere with the life cycle of HCV.     

应用细菌鞭毛递呈的随机肽库研究丙型肝炎病毒核心蛋白B细胞抗原表位

设计了利用大扬杆菌鞭毛蛋白递呈的随机十二肽库研究ＨＣＶ核心蛋白Ｂ细胞抗原位的实验程序：１利用大肠杆有达质粒ｐＱＥ－３０有达并纯化ＨＣＶ核心蛋白Ｐ１９;２利用Ｐ１９蛋白亲和层析纯化ＨＣＶ感染者血清的抗ＨＣＶ核心蛋白多克隆抗体;     

Peptide immunogen mimicry of putative E1 glycoprotein-specific epitopes in hepatitis C virus.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) accounts for most cases of acute and chronic non-A and non-B hepatitis with serious consequences that may lead to hepatocellular carcinoma. The putative envelope glycoproteins (E1 and E2) of HCV probably play a role in the pathophysiology of the virus. In order to map the immunodominant domains of the E1 glycoprotein, two epitopes from amino acid residues 210 to 223 (P1) and 315 to 327 (P2) were predicted from the HCV sequence. Immunization of mice with the synthetic peptides conjugated to bovine serum albumin induced an antibody response, and the antisera immunoprecipitated the E1 glycoprotein (approximately 33 kDa) of HCV expressed by recombinant vaccinia virus. A panel of HCV-infected human sera was also tested with the synthetic peptides by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for epitope-specific responses. Of 38 infected serum samples, 35 (92.1%) demonstrated a spectrum of reactivity to the P2 peptide. On the other hand, only 17 of 38 (44.7%) serum samples were reactive to the P1 peptide. Strains of HCV exhibit a striking genomic diversity. The predicted P1 epitope showed localization in the sequence-variable region, and the P2 epitope localized in a highly conserved domain. Results from this study suggest that the E1 glycoprotein of HCV contains at least two potential antigenic epitopes. Synthetic peptides corresponding to these epitopes and antisera to these peptides may serve as the monospecific immunological reagents to further determine the role of E1 glycoprotein in HCV infection.     

Synthetic gene for the hepatitis C virus nucleocapsid protein.

A synthetic gene encoding the hepatitis C virus (HCV) nucleocapsid protein was constructed and expressed in E. coli. To synthesize this gene, we developed a new method that results in the enzymatic synthesis of long polydeoxyribonucleotides from oligodeoxyribonucleotides. The method, designated as the 'Exchangeable Template Reaction' (ETR), uses oligonucleotides as templates for DNA polymerase. A special mechanism was designed to exchange the templates during the polymerase reaction. The mechanism relies on the formation of a single-stranded 3'-protrusion at the 'growing point' of the elongating DNA such that it can be subsequently annealed, in a sequence-specific manner, with the next synthetic oligonucleotide. When annealed to the 3'-protrusion, the added oligonucleotide becomes a template for DNA polymerase, and the protruding 3'-end of the double-stranded DNA is used as the primer. The HCV nucleocapsid gene was assembled with DNA ligase from three fragments synthesized by ETR. The data verify that this method is efficient. The main advantage of ETR is the ability to combine more than two oligonucleotides in one tube together with polymerase and an enzymatic activity that produces a 3'-protrusion (e.g., BstXI) rather than the sequential addition of each component. The data demonstrate that as many as five oligonucleotides can be used simultaneously, resulting in a synthesized DNA fragment of designed sequence. The synthetic gene expressed in E. coli produced a 27 kDa protein that specifically interacted with antibodies from sera obtained from HCV-infected individuals.     

HCVNS3基因片段酵母展示文库的构建和鉴定

 HCV NS3特异的 CD4+T细胞反应与 HCV感染的良性转归相关 .为了筛选其 CD4+T细胞表位 ,构建了 HCV NS3基因片段酵母展示文库 .首先 DNase 不完全酶切 HCV NS3基因产生长度为 1 0 0～ 30 0 bp的随机片段 ,然后在它们两端加上含限制性内切酶 Bam H 作用位点的接头 ,再以接头序列作引物进行 PCR扩增 .最后扩增产物用 Bam H 酶切后与 Bam H 线性化的穿梭载体 p YD1连接 ,转化大肠杆菌 (E.coli) DH5α,共得到 2× 1 0 6个转化子 .转化菌落的 PCR扩增结果表明 ,约 50 %转化子含插入片段 .随机选择 5个插入片段测序 ,然后与 DNA序列数据库中的序列比较 .结果显示它们分别与 HCV NS3序列有 96%～ 99%的同源性 .用从转化菌落中提取的质粒转化酵母 (S.cerevisiae)菌株 EBY1 0 0 ,得到含 2× 1 0 5个插入片段的 HCV NS3基因片段酵母展示文库 .半乳糖诱导的酵母细胞通过和 FITC标记的抗体结合 ,用 FACS可以在 2 0 %的细胞表面检测到融合蛋白的表达 .     

Optimized vaccination regimen linked to exhaustive screening approaches identifies 2 novel HLA-B7 restricted epitopes within hepatitis C virus NS3 protein

Broad immune responses, in particular specific for the NS3 protein and mediated by both CD8+ and CD4+T lymphocytes, are thought to play a critical role in the control of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In this study, we searched for novel HLA-B*0702 NS3 restricted epitopes following an optimized NS3NS4 immunization protocol in transgenic mice expressing HLA-B*0702 molecule. Combining predicted and overlapping peptides, we identified two novel epitopes, WPA10 (aa 1111-1120) and LSP10 (aa 1153-1162), which triggered significant IFN-gamma-producing T cell frequencies and high CTL responses. Both epitopes were shown to be immunogenic when used as synthetic peptides to immunize mice. The relevance of these epitopes to humans was demonstrated, as both were able in vitro to recall specific IFN-gamma and IL10-producing cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HCV infected patients. Such epitopes enlarge the pool of NS3-specific CD8+T cell epitopes available to perform immunomonitoring of HCV infection and to develop vaccines.