HCV NS5B (2594-2602)

HCV NS5B (2594-2602) is an epitope of the non-structural protein 5B of Hepatitis C Virus. HCV NS5B contains CD8 + T cell epitopes that might be implicated in improvement of immunotherapeutic strategies for efficient vaccine development against HCV. Applications of HCV NS5B (2594-2602): HCV NS5B (2594-2602) is used to stimulate specific-cytotoxic T cell responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Then, ELISPOT assay is used to quantify peptide epitope specificity and IFN-γ releasing effector cells. HCV NS5B (2594-2602) was used as a candidate HCV antigen for vaccine development and CD8 + T cell responses against HCV NS5B (2594-2602) have been detected. Results of ELISPOT assay has shown HCV NS5B (2594-2602)-cytotoxic T cell responses in cells with HLA-A*02:01 type. Potential cross-reactivity with HIV-1 p17 Gag (77-85): Similarities between two HLA-A2-restricted epitopes of two viruses have been demonstrated: the amino acid sequence of HIV-1 p17 Gag (77-85) (SLYNTVATL) and of HCV NS5B (2594-2602) (ALYDVVTKL). Therefore, researches are conducted to know if during HCV/HIV co-infection it could be exist a T cell cross reactivity.