Mapping of the cellular immune responses to woodchuck hepatitis core antigen epitopes in chronically infected woodchucks.

摘要: T-cell responses to hepatitis B virus nucleocapsid antigens (HBcAg and HBeAg) play an important role in disease outcome those infected with (HBV). The woodchuck is naturally the wild (WHV), which shows a high degree of genetic homology HBV produces similar pattern infection its natural host. Twenty-three overlapping peptides were constructed cover entire WHV core region used identify immunodominant cellular epitopes antigen using peripheral blood lymphocytes from 12 chronic carrier 4 uninfected control animals. A lymphocyte response was seen all animals at least one peptide, 8 observed 5 common peptides: peptide analogues amino acids 16-30, 38-52, 50-69, 76-90 91-105. Peptide 91-105 produced maximal proliferation out In addition, difference between laboratory animals; latter appeared have lower than wild. This study provides evidence that has population cells are sensitised within protein basis on develop use as immunological model for testing therapeutic means enhancing this response.