CD4+ T-lymphocyte-specific Hepatitis C virus-epitopes

Abstract

The invention relates to Hepatitis C virus epitopes which are specific in relation to CD4 + T lymphocytes, in addition to vaccinations which contain said epitopes.

1 . An isolated polypeptide comprising at least one CD4 +  T-lymphocyte-specific HCV epitope, wherein the epitope comprises a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 1) YLVAYQATVC;    2) VVTSTWVLVGGVLAALAAYCL;    3) QYLAGLSTLPG;    4) IASLMAFTA;    5) FNILGGWVA; and    6) SPVFTDNSSPPAVPQSFQVA,    and derivatives thereof having comparable specificity.    
     
     
         2 . The isolated polypeptide according to  claim 1 , wherein the epitope consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 1) YLVAYQATVC;    2) VVTSTWVLVGGVLAALAAYCL;    3) QYLAGLSTLPG;    4) IASLMAFTA;    5) FNILGGWVA; of and    6) SPVFTDNSSPPAVPQSFQVA.    
     
     
         3 . The isolated polypeptide according to  claim 1 , wherein the epitope comprises a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 7) GENLPYLVAYQATVCARAQA;    8) EVVTSTWVLVGGVLAALAA;    9) FISGIQYLAGLSTLPGNPAIA;    10) PGNPAIASLMAFTAAVTSP; and    11) SQTLLFNILGGWVAAQLAA,    and derivatives thereof having with comparable specificity.    
     
     
         4 . The isolated polypeptide according to  claim 1 , wherein the epitope consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 7) GENLPYLVAYQATVCARAQA;    8) EVVTSTWVLVGGVLAALAA;    9) FISGIQYLAGLSTLPGNPAIA;    10) PGNPAIASLMAFTAAVTSP; and/or and    11) SQTLLFNILGGWVAAQLAA,    and derivatives thereof having with comparable specificity.    
     
     
         5 .- 6 . (canceled)  
     
     
         7 . An isolated polypeptide comprising at least one CD4 +  T-lymphocyte-specific HCV epitope, wherein the epitope comprises a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 12) TSVRLRAYLNTPGLPVCQDH;    13) STEDLVNLLPAILSPGALVV;    14) KLVALGINAVAYYRGLDVSVIPTSGDVVV-;    15) SGKPAIIPDREVLYREFDEM;    16) LGIGTVLDQAETAGA;    17) ETAGARLVVLATATP;    18) CVTQTVDFSLDPTFT;    19) RPSGMFDSSVLCECY;    20) VFPDLGVRVVCEKMAL; and    21) KLGVPPLRVWRHRAR,    and derivatives thereof having with comparable specificity.    
     
     
         8 . The isolated polypeptide of  claim 7 , wherein the epitope consists of a sequence selected from the group consisting of: 
 12) TSVRLRAYLNTPGLPVCQDH;    13) STEDLVNLLPAILSPGALVV;    14) KLVALGINAVAYYRGLDVSVIPTSGDVVV-;    15) SGKPAIIPDREVLYREFDEM;    16) LGIGTVLDQAETAGA;    17) ETAGARLVVLATATP;    18) CVTQTVDFSLDPTFT;    19) RPSGMFDSSVLCECY;    20) VFPDLGVRVVCEKMAL; and    21) KLGVPPLRVWRHRAR.    
     
     
         9 . A vaccine comprising at least one polypeptide according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         10 . The vaccine according to  claim 9 , further comprising at least one adjuvant selected from the group consisting of fowl pox virus, modified vaccinia virus Ankara, virosomes, Transvax, and other substances which reinforce the immune reaction.  
     
     
         11 . The vaccine according to  claim 9  in the form of an injectable solution.  
     
     
         12 . The vaccine according to  claim 10  in the form of an injectable solution.  
     
     
         13 . The isolated polypeptide according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.  
     
     
         14 . A method of treating a subject in need of prophylaxis and/or treatment of a Hepatitis C infection comprising administering at least one isolated polypeptide.  
     
     
         15 . A method of diagnosing a Hepatitis C infection comprising using at least one isolated polypeptide.  
     
     
         16 . A kit for the diagnosis of a Hepatitis C infection comprising at least one isolated polypeptide.  
     
     
         17 . An isolated nucleic acid encoding at least one isolated polypeptide according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         18 . A vaccine comprising at least one nucleic acid according to  claim 17.