HCV peptide antigens and methods for the determination of HCV

Abstract

Novel HCV peptide antigens are described representing partial sequences of the C-100-3 and env/core with C-regions. These peptide antigens are suitable for the determination of HCV antibodies as immunogens for the production of antibodies against HCV and as vaccines for the production of vaccines against HCV.

1 . HCV peptide antigens with the amino acid sequences SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 11, 12, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29-32 or with partial sequences thereof having a length of at least 4 amino acids.  
     
     
         2 . HCV peptide antigens as claimed in  claim 1  with partial sequences having a maximum lenth of 9 amino acids.  
     
     
         3 . HCV peptide antigens as claimed in  claim 2  with the partial sequences.  
     
     
         4 . HCV peptide antigens as claimed in  claim 1  with the partial sequences SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 5, 10, 14, 17, 19, 24.  
     
     
         5 . Combination of HCV peptide antigens composed of 
 SEQ ID NO: 4, 12, 16    SEQ ID NO: 4, 5, 12 and 16    SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 5, 12 and 16    SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 5, 12, 16, 26 and 27    SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 11, 12, 16 and 26    SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 12, 16 and 26    SEQ ID NO: 7, 9, 13, 20, 21    SEQ ID NO: 6, 8, 13, 19, 28 or    SEQ ID NO: 25, 30, 31    
     
     
         6 . Process for the production of peptide antigens as claimed in  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the amino acid forming the C-terminal end is bound to a carrier, the peptide antigen is synthesized stepwise starting from the C-terminal end and is subsequently cleaved from the carrier.  
     
     
         7 . Method for the determination of HCV antibodies, wherein the sample is incubated with a combination of at least two peptide antigens from the group SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 11, 12, 15, 16, 22, 23, 25, 29-32 or peptide antigens representing partial sequences of these peptide antigens having a length of at least 4 amino acids and the amount of the HCV antibodies bound to the peptide antigen is determined under conditions which enable the formation of an antibody-antigen complex.  
     
     
         8 . Method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the combination contains at least one peptide antigen with a length of 4-9 amino acids which represents a partial sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 11, 12, 15, 16, 22, 23, 25, 29-32.  
     
     
         9 . Method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein a combination of at least two HCV antigens from the group SEQ ID NO: 1-32 is used.  
     
     
         10 . Method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein 
 SEQ ID NO: 4, 12, 16    SEQ ID NO: 4, 5, 12 and 16    SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 5, 12 and 16    SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 5, 12, 16, 26 and 27    SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 11, 12, 16 and 26    SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 12, 16 and 26    SEQ ID NO: 7, 9, 13, 20, 21    SEQ ID NO: 6, 8, 13, 19, 28 or    SEQ ID NO: 24, 30, 31    are used as combinations.    
     
     
         11 . Process for the production of antibodies against HCV antigens, wherein a mammal is immunized with a peptide antigen SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 11, 12, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29-32 or a partial sequence thereof which is carrier-bound if desired, polyclonal antibodies are obtained or cells of these animals which produce antibodies are immortalized to form cell lines and monoclonal antibodies are isolated from these cell lines.  
     
     
         12 . Process as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein SEQ ID NO: 1-32 are used as peptide antigens which represent partial sequences.  
     
     
         13 . Method for the determination of HCV viruses, wherein the sample is incubated with an antibody as claimed in  claim 11  or  12  under conditions which enable the formation of an antigen-antibody complex and the amount of the antibody-antigen complex formed is determined.  
     
     
         14 . Vaccine for the treatment of HCV infections containing a peptide antigen SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 11, 12, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29-32 which is carrier-bound if desired or at least two peptide antigens SEQ ID NO: 1-32 or peptide antigens which represent partial sequences of these peptide antigens having a length of at least 4 amino acids as the immunogen, in a pharmacologically effective dose and in a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation.  
     
     
         15 . Vaccine as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the partial sequences 
 SEQ ID NO: 4, 12, 16    SEQ ID NO: 4, 5, 12 and 16    SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 5, 12 and 16    SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 5, 12, 16, 26 and 27    SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 11, 12, 16 and 26    SEQ ID NO: 3, 4, 12, 16 and 26    SEQ ID NO: 7, 9, 13, 20, 21    SEQ ID NO: 6, 8, 13, 19, 28 or    SEQ ID NO: 24, 30, 31    are used as the peptide antigens.    
     
     
         16 . Process for the production of vaccines using the peptide antigens SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 11, 12, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29-32 or at least two peptide antigens SEQ ID NO: 1-32 or peptide antigens representing partial sequences of these peptide antigens having a length of at least 4 amino acids as immunogens.