[Search for T-epitopes of the hepatitis A virus using synthetic peptides]

Computer search for probable T-epitopes of the hepatitis A virus capsid proteins was performed using developed integrated set of programmes. The following peptides were chosen and synthesised by solid phase technique: 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 VP1, 10-33 VP1, 11-25 VP1, 75-85 VP1 and 276-298 VP1 previously examined as probable B-epitopes were used as well. All the peptides were tested for their ability to stimulate proliferation of lymph node T-cells primed with synthetic peptides. Almost all the predicted T-epitopes did affected the T-cell proliferation. 10-33 VP1 and 276-298 VP1 stimulated lymph node proliferation of all tested mouse strains. 107-126 VP1 and 115-126 VP1 did not influence proliferation of lymphocytes of mice primed with these peptides but stimulated proliferation of T-cells of F1 (CBA x C57Bl6) mice primed with 115-139 VP1.