Activation of HCV-specific T cells

Abstract

The invention provides a method of activating hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T cells, including CD4 + and CD8 + T cells. HCV-specific T cells are activated using fusion proteins comprising HCV NS3, NS4, NS5a, and NS5b polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding such fusion proteins, or polypeptide or polynucleotide compositions containing the individual components of these fusions. The method can be used in model systems to develop HCV-specific immunogenic compositions, as well as to immunize a mammal against HCV.

1 - 44 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         45 . An isolated and purified polynucleotide which encodes a fusion protein consisting essentially of an NS3, an NS4, an NS5a, an NS5b and a core polypeptide of an HCV.  
     
     
         46 . A composition comprising: 
 (a) the isolated and purified polynucleotide of  claim 45;  and    (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.    
     
     
         47 . The composition of  claim 46  wherein the polynucleotide is DNA.  
     
     
         48 . The composition of  claim 47  wherein the polynucleotide is in a plasmid.  
     
     
         49 . A method of activating T cells which recognize an epitope of an HCV polypeptide, comprising the step of: 
 contacting T cells with the polynucleotide of  claim 45 , whereby a population of activated T cells recognizes an epitope of the NS3, NS4, NS5a, NS5b or core polypeptides.    
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the T cells are obtained from a mammal selected from the group consisting of a mouse, a baboon, a chimpanzee, and a human.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the mammal is infected with an HCV.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the mammal is not infected with an HCV.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the population of T cells comprises CD4 +  T cells.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the population of T cells comprises CD8 +  T cells.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the T cells comprise CD8 +  and CD4 +  T cells.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the step of contacting further comprises contacting the T cells with an adjuvant.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the polynucleotide is DNA.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the polynucleotide is RNA.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the T cells are in a mammal.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59  wherein the mammal is selected from the group consisting of a mouse, a baboon, a chimpanzee, and a human.  
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60  wherein the mammal is infected with an HCV.  
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 60  wherein the mammal is not infected with an HCV.