SEARCH FOR THE HEPATITIS-A VIRUS T-CELL E PITOPES USING SYNTHETIC PEPTIDES

Computer search for probable T-epitopes of the hepatitis A virus capsi d proteins was performed using developed integrated set of programmes. The following, peptides were chosen and synthesised by solid phase te chnique: 75-92 VP1, 115-139 VP1, 209-221 VP1, 69-99 VP2, 80-99 VP2, 45 -57 VP3, 137-150 VP3 and 1-23 VP4. Peptides 1-17 VPI, 10-33 VPI, 11-25 VPI, 75-85 VP1 and 276-298 VP1 previously examined as probable B-epit opes were used as well. All the peptides were tested for their ability to stimulate proliferation of lymph node T-cells primed with syntheti c peptides. Almost all the predicted T-epitopes did affected the T-cel l proliferation. 10-33 VP1 and 276-298 VP1 stimulated lymph node proli feration of all tested mouse strains. 107-126 VP1 and 115-126 VP1 did not influence proliferation of lymphocytes of mice primed with these p eptides but stimulated proliferation of T-cells of F1 (CBA X C57Bl6) m ice primed with 115-139 VP1.