Novel peptide compositions and their use in particular in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions active against the hepatitis C virus

Abstract

The invention relates to peptide compositions for use in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions against hepatitis C virus, as well as corresponding methods.

1 - 88 . (canceled)  
     
     
         89 . Fusion peptide characterized in that it comprises a fusion of at least two peptides chosen from the group consisting of A, B, C, and D peptides, B′ and C′ epitopes, 
 said A peptide having at least the following amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 1:    X 1 AX 2 QGYKVX 3 VLNPSVX 4 ATLX 5 FGX 6 YMSKAX 7 GX 8 ,    in which X 1  is Y or H, X 2  is A, G or T, X 3  is R or L, X 4  is A or T, X 5  is G or S, X 6  is A, T or V, X 7  is H or Y and X 8  is I, T, M, or V, and    at most sequence the following amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 2,    SX 9 X 10 VPX 11 X 12 X 1 AX 2 QGYKVX 3 VLNPSVX 4 ATLX 5 FGX 6 YMSKAX 7 GX 8 X 13 P X 14 X 15 X 16 X 17 GV,    in which X 1  to X 8  are as defined above, and X 9  is T or N, X 10  is K or R, X 11  is A or V, X 12  is A or E, X 13  is E or D, X 14  is N or S, X 15  is I, L or V, X 16  is R or S, and X 17  is T or S,    said B peptide having at least the following amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 45:    GX 18 X 19 X 20 X 21 X 22 X 23 TSLTGRDX 24 NX 25 X 26 X 27 GEX 28 QX 29 X 30 STAX 31 X 32 X 33 FL X 34 X 35 X 36 X 37 NGX 38 X 39 WTVX 40      in which X 18  is L or V, X 19  is L or F, X 20  is G or S, X 21  is C or T, X 22  is I or V, X 23  is I or V, X 24  is K, R or T, X 25  is Q or E, X 26  is V or N, X 27  is D, E or C, X 28  is V or A, X 29  is V, I, E or M, X 30  is L or V, X 31  is T, K or A, X 32  is Q or H, X 33  is S or T, X 34  is A or G, X 35  is T or S, X 36  is C or A, X 37  is V, I or T, X 38  is V or A, X 39  is C or M, and X 40  is Y or F, and    at most the following sequence SEQ ID NO: 46:    AX 41 TX 42 YX 43 X 44 QTRGX 18 X 19 X 20 X 21 X 22 X 23 TSLTGRDX 24 NX 25 X 2 6X 27 GEX 28 Q X 29 X 30 STAX 31 X 32 X 33 FLX 34 X 3 X 36 X 37 NGX 38 X 39 WTVX 40  HGAGX 45 X 4 X 7      in which X 18  to X 40  are as defined above and X 41  is P, S or H, X 42  is A or T, X 43  is S, A, T or C, X 44  is Q or R, X 45  is S, T or A, X 46  is K or R, and X 47  is T or I,    said C peptide having at least the following amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 127:    SX 47′ M X 48 FTX 49 X 50 X 51  TSPLX 52 X 53 X 54 X 55 TLX 56 FNIX 57 GGWVAX 58 QX 59      in which X 47′  is L or P, X 48  is A or S, X 49  is A or S, X 50  is A or S, X 51  is I or V, X 52  is T, S or A, X 53  is T or I, X 54  is Q, S or G, X 55  is N, Q, H, S, Y or T, X 56  is L or M, X 57  is L or W, X 58  is A or S, and X 59  is L, P or I, and    at most the following sequence SEQ ID NO: 128:    NFIX 60 GX 61  QYLAX 62 LSTLPGNX 63 AX 64 X 65 SX 47′ MX 48 FTX 49 X 50 X 51 TSPLX 52 X 53 X 54 X 55 TLX 56 FNIX 57 GGWVAX 58 QX 59 X 66 X 67 X 68      in which X 47′  to X 59  are as defined above and X 60  is T or S, X 61  is I, T or V, X 62  is G or A, X 63  is P or L, X 64  is I or M, X 65  is A, V or R, X 66  is A or R, X 67  is P, A, or D, and X 68  is P, A, or S,    said D peptide having at least the following amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 174: 
 X 69 KX 70 ARX 71 IVX 72 PX 73 LGX 74 RVCEKX 75 ALX 76 X 77 VX 78 X 79 X 80 X 81    
 in which X 69  is R or Q, X 70  is P or A, X 71  is L or F, X 72  is F or Y, X 73  is D or E, X 74  is V or S, X 75  is M or R, X 76  is Y or H, X 77  is D or N, X 78  is V or I, X 79  is S, T or K, X 80  is T, K, I or N and X 81  is L or T, and  
   at most the following amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 175:    KGGX 69 KX 70 ARX 711 VX 72 PX 73 LGX 74 RVCEKX 75 ALX 76 X 77 VX 78 X 79 X 80 X 81 X 82 X 83 X 84 VMG X 85 X 86 YX 87 X 88 Q    in which X 69  to X 8 , are as defined above and X 82  is P or A, X 83  is Q, L, H, R, K or P, X 84  is A, T, V or P, X 85  is P, S or A, X 86  is S or A, X 87  is G or R and X 88  is F or C,    said B′ epitope having the following sequence SEQ ID NO: 213: 
 GX 18 X 19 X 20 X 21 X 22 X 23 TSL  
   in which X 18  is L or V, X 19  is L or F, X 20  is G or S, X 21  is C or T, X 22  is I or V and X 23  is I or V, and 
 said C′ epitope having the following sequence SEQ ID NO: 221: 
 SPLX 52 X 53 X 54 X 55 TL  
 
   in which X 52  is T, S or A, X 53  is T or I, X 54  is Q, S or G and X 55  is N, Q, H, S, Y or T.    
     
     
         90 . The fusion peptide according to  claim 89 , wherein the A peptide is chosen from: 
 the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 3 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 19,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 4 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 24, SEQ ID NO: 32 and SEQ ID NO: 34,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 5 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 21, SEQ ID NO: 28 and SEQ ID NO: 36,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 6 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 22, SEQ ID NO: 27 and SEQ ID NO: 41,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 7 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 23 and SEQ ID NO: 37,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 8 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 25,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 9 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 26,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 10 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 29,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 11 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 30,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 12 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 31,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 13 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 33,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 14 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 35 and SEQ ID NO: 39,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 15 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 38,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 16 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 40 and SEQ ID NO: 42,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 17 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 43, and    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 18 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 44.    
     
     
         91 . The fusion peptide according to  claim 89 , wherein the A peptide is chosen from the peptides of sequences SEQ ID NO: 3 to 18.  
     
     
         92 . The fusion peptide according to  claim 89 , wherein the B peptide is chosen from: 
 the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 47 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 81,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 48 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 82,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 49 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 83,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 50 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 84, SEQ ID NO: 90, SEQ ID NO: 105, SEQ ID NO: 107 and SEQ ID NO: 116,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 51 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 85 and SEQ ID NO: 124,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 52 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 86 and SEQ ID NO: 120,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 53 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 87,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 54 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 88 and SEQ ID NO: 117,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 55 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 89,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 56 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 91 and SEQ ID NO: 92,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 57 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 93,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 58 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 94 and SEQ ID NO: 110,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 59 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 95,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 60 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 96 and SEQ ID NO: 115,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 61 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 97,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 62 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 98 and SEQ ID NO: 109,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 63 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 99,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 64 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 100,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 65 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 101,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 66 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 102,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 67 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 103,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 68 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 104,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 69 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 106,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 70 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 108,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 71 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 111,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 72 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 112,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 73 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 113,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 74 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 114,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 75 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 118 and SEQ ID NO: 119,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 76 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 121,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 77 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 122,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 78 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 123,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 79 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 125, and    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 80 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 126.    
     
     
         93 . The fusion peptide according to  claim 89 , wherein the B peptide is chosen from the peptides of sequences SEQ ID NO: 47 to 80.  
     
     
         94 . The fusion peptide according to  claim 89 , wherein the C peptide is chosen from: 
 the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 129 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 147, SEQ ID NO: 153, SEQ ID NO: 162 and SEQ ID NO: 167,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 130 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 148 and SEQ ID NO: 150,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 131 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 149,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 132 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 151, SEQ ID NO: 155, SEQ ID NO: 168 and SEQ ID NO: 171,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 133 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 152,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 134 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 154 and SEQ ID NO: 169,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 135 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 156,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 136 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 157 and SEQ ID NO: 170,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 137 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 158,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 138 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 159,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 139 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 160,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 140 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 161,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 141 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 163,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 142 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 164,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 143 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 165,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 144 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 166,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 145 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 172, and    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 146 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 173.    
     
     
         95 . The fusion peptide according to  claim 89 , wherein the C peptide is chosen from the peptides of sequences SEQ ID NO: 129 to 146.  
     
     
         96 . The fusion peptide according to  claim 89 , wherein the D peptide is chosen from: 
 the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 176 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 188, SEQ ID NO: 192, SEQ ID NO: 193, SEQ ID NO: 194, SEQ ID NO: 201, SEQ ID NO: 202, SEQ ID NO: 203, SEQ ID NO: 204, SEQ ID NO: 205 and SEQ ID NO: 210,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 177 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 189 and SEQ ID NO: 190,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 178 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 191,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 179 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 195,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 180 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 196 and SEQ ID NO: 206,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 181 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 197,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 182 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 198 and SEQ ID NO: 209,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 183 and at most a sequence chosen from sequences SEQ ID NO: 199 and SEQ ID NO: 200,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 184 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 207,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 185 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 208,    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 186 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 211, and    the peptides having at least sequence SEQ ID NO: 187 and at most sequence SEQ ID NO: 212.    
     
     
         97 . The fusion peptide according to  claim 89 , wherein the D peptide is chosen from the peptides of sequences SEQ ID NO: 176 to 187.  
     
     
         98 . The fusion peptide according to  claim 89 , wherein the B′ epitope is chosen from the epitopes of sequences SEQ ID NO: 214 to SEQ ID NO: 220.  
     
     
         99 . The fusion peptide according to  claim 89 , wherein the C′ epitope is chosen from the epitopes of sequences SEQ ID NO: 222 to SEQ ID NO: 232.  
     
     
         100 . The fusion peptide according to  claim 89 , characterized in that it comprises the fusion of two peptides chosen among: 
 i) the A peptide as defined in  claim 89  and another peptide chosen from the B to D peptides as defined in  claim 89 , or    ii) the B peptide as defined in  claim 89  and another peptide chosen from the A, C or D peptides as defined in  claim 89 , or    iii) the C peptide as defined in  claim 89  and another peptide chosen from the A, B or D peptides as defined in  claim 89 , or    iv) the D peptide as defined in  claim 89  and another peptide chosen from the A, B or C peptides as defined in  claim 89 .    
     
     
         101 . The fusion peptide according to  claim 89 , characterized in that it comprises the fusion of three peptides chosen among: 
 i) the A peptide as defined in  claim 89  and two other peptides chosen from the B to D peptides as defined in  claim 89 , or    ii) the B peptide as defined in  claim 89  and two other peptides chosen from the A, C or D peptides as defined in  claim 89 , or    iii) the C peptide as defined in  claim 89  and two other peptides chosen from the A, B or D peptides as defined in  claim 89 , or    iv) the D peptide as defined in  claim 89  and two other peptides chosen from the A, B or C peptides as defined in  claim 89 .    
     
     
         102 . The fusion peptide according to  claim 89 , characterized in that it comprises a fusion of the four A to D peptides.  
     
     
         103 . The fusion peptide according to  claim 89 , characterized in that it comprises a fusion of A to D peptides with a B peptide as defined in  claim 89  located at the N-terminus of the fusion which is fused to a A peptide as defined in  claim 89  which is fused to a C peptide as defined in  claim 89  which is fused to a D peptide as defined in  claim 89 .  
     
     
         104 . The fusion peptide according to  claim 103 , characterized in that the A peptide has at least SEQ ID NO: 3 and at most SEQ ID NO: 19; and/or the B peptide has at least SEQ ID NO: 47 and at most SEQ ID NO: 81; and/or the C peptide has at least SEQ ID NO: 129 and at most SEQ ID NO: 147, SEQ ID NO: 153, SEQ ID NO: 162 or SEQ ID NO: 167; and/or the D peptide has at least SEQ ID NO: 176 and at most SEQ ID NO: 188, SEQ ID NO: 192, SEQ ID NO: 193 or SEQ ID NO: 194, SEQ ID NO: 201, SEQ ID NO: 202, SEQ ID NO: 203, SEQ ID NO: 204, SEQ ID NO: 205 or SEQ ID NO: 210.  
     
     
         105 . The fusion peptide according to  claim 104 , characterized in that the A peptide has the amino acid sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 3, the B peptide has the amino acid sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 47, the C peptide has the amino acid sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 129 and the D peptide has the amino acid sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 176.  
     
     
         106 . The fusion peptide according to  claim 105 , characterized in that it comprises the amino acid sequence defined in SEQ ID NO: 234.  
     
     
         107 . A peptide composition characterized in that it comprises at least a fusion peptide according to  claim 89 .  
     
     
         108 . Nucleotide sequences coding for any one of the fusion peptides as defined in  claim 89 .  
     
     
         109 . An expression vector characterized in that it comprises a nucleotide sequence according to  claim 108 , as well as the means necessary for its expression.  
     
     
         110 . Expression vector according to  claim 109 , characterized in that said vector is a replication-defective adenoviral vector.  
     
     
         111 . Expression vector according to  claim 109 , characterized in that said vector is a MVA vaccinia vector.  
     
     
         112 . A microorganism or a host cell transformed by an expression vector as defined in  claim 109 .  
     
     
         113 . Antibodies directed against at least one fusion peptide as defined in  claim 89 .  
     
     
         114 . A method for inhibiting, preventing, or treating an infection caused by the hepatitis C virus or a HCV-associated disease or pathologic conditions, in an animal, such as a human, the method comprising the administration of a composition of  claim 107  to the animal.  
     
     
         115 . A method for inhibiting, preventing, or treating an infection caused by the hepatitis C virus or a HCV-associated disease or pathologic conditions, in an animal, such as a human, the method comprising the administration of at least one fusion peptide of  claim 89  to the animal.  
     
     
         116 . A method for inhibiting, preventing, or treating an infection caused by the hepatitis C virus or a HCV-associated disease or pathologic conditions, in an animal, such as a human, the method comprising the administration of at least one expression vector of  claim 109  to the animal.  
     
     
         117 . A method for inhibiting, preventing, or treating an infection caused by the hepatitis C virus or a HCV-associated disease or pathologic conditions, in an animal, such as a human, the method comprising the administration of at least one microorganism or host cell of  claim 112  to the animal.  
     
     
         118 . A method for inhibiting, preventing, or treating an infection caused by the hepatitis C virus or a HCV-associated disease or pathologic conditions, in an animal, such as a human, the method comprising the administration of at least one nucleotide sequence of  claim 108  to the animal.  
     
     
         119 . A pharmaceutical composition, in particular vaccine, containing as active ingredient at least one peptide composition according to  claim 107 , in combination with a pharmaceutically appropriate vehicle.  
     
     
         120 . A pharmaceutical composition, in particular vaccine, containing as active ingredient at least one of the antibodies as defined in  claim 113 , in combination with a pharmaceutically appropriate vehicle.  
     
     
         121 . Pharmaceutical composition, in particular vaccine, containing as active ingredient at least a fusion peptide according to  claim 89 , or at least a nucleotide sequence coding for said fusion peptide, or at least a vector containing said nucleotide sequence placed under the control of the elements necessary for a constitutive and/or inducible expression of said fusion peptide in a host cell, or at least a microorganism or a host cell transformed by said vector, in combination with a pharmaceutically appropriate vehicle.  
     
     
         122 . A diagnostic composition for the detection and/or quantification of the hepatitis C virus comprising at least one peptide composition according to  claim 107 .  
     
     
         123 . A diagnostic composition for the detection and/or quantification of the hepatitis C virus comprising at least one antibody according to  claim 113 .  
     
     
         124 . A process for detection and/or quantification of the hepatitis C virus in a biological sample taken from an individual capable of being infected by said virus, such as plasma, serum or tissue, characterized in that it comprises stages consisting of: 
 bringing said biological sample into contact with the antibodies according to  claim 113 , under conditions allowing the formation of a complex between the virus and the antibody, and    detecting and/or quantifying the formation of said complex by any appropriate means.    
     
     
         125 . A method for the in vitro diagnosis of the hepatitis C virus in a biological sample, comprising contacting the sample with a pharmaceutical composition, in particular vaccine, containing as active ingredient at least a fusion peptide according to  claim 89 , or at least a nucleotide sequence coding for said fusion peptide, or at least a vector containing said nucleotide sequence placed under the control of the elements necessary for a constitutive and/or inducible expression of said fusion peptide in a host cell, or at least a microorganism or a host cell transformed by said vector, in combination with a pharmaceutically appropriate vehicle.  
     
     
         126 . A method for the in vitro diagnosis of the hepatitis C virus in a biological sample, comprising contacting the sample with a diagnostic composition as defined in  claim 122  or  123 .  
     
     
         127 . A method of inducing or stimulating an immune response against HCV in a host organism comprising administering to said organism the peptide composition according to  claim 107 , so as to induce or stimulate said immune response.  
     
     
         128 . A method of inducing or stimulating an immune response against HCV in a host organism comprising administering to said organism the fusion peptide according to  claim 89 , so as to induce or stimulate said immune response.  
     
     
         129 . A method of inducing or stimulating an immune response against HCV in a host organism comprising administering to said organism the nucleotide sequence according to  claim 108 , so as to induce or stimulate said immune response.  
     
     
         130 . A method of inducing or stimulating an immune response against HCV in a host organism comprising administering to said organism the microorganism or host cell according to  claim 112 , so as to induce or stimulate said immune response.  
     
     
         131 . A method of inducing or stimulating an immune response against HCV in a host organism comprising administering to said organism the vector according to  claim 109 , so as to induce or stimulate said immune response.  
     
     
         132 . A method of inducing or stimulating an immune response against HCV in a host organism comprising administering to said organism the antibodies according to  claim 113 , so as to induce or stimulate said immune response.  
     
     
         133 . A method of inducing or stimulating an immune response against HCV in a host organism comprising administering to said organism the pharmaceutical composition according to any one of  claims 119  to  121 , so as to induce or stimulate said immune response.