Diagnostic reagents for human cytomegalovirus and methods of use
AssigneeCity of Hope
InventorDon J. Diamond
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides a plurality of peptides (and immunologically functional variants thereof) which are immunogenic epitopes recognized by CD8+ class I MHC restricted cytotoxic T-lymphocytes of patients harboring latent human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. The peptides are capable of activating CTLs and CTLps in the absence of active viral replication, and thus are useful for eliciting a cellular immune response against HCMV by normal and immunodeficient subjects. Peptide and lipopeptide vaccines, with and without adjuvants, also are disclosed. Cellular vaccines comprising the peptides form a further embodiment of this invention.
Claims14
A diagnostic reagent which comprises a peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:
- 1-14 and 26-28 and a label.
A diagnostic reagent which comprises a peptide according to SEQ ID NO:
- 1 and a label.
A method of identifying, in a sample of T cells, T cells that recognize HCMV, which comprises contacting said sample of T cells in vitro with a diagnostic reagent which comprises a peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:
- 1-14 and 26-28.
A method of identifying, in a sample of T cells, T cells that recognize HCMV, which comprises contacting said sample of T cells in vitro with a diagnostic reagent which comprises antigen presenting cells that present a peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:
- 1-14 and 26-28.
A method of diagnosing exposure to HCMV in a patient which comprises:
- (a) obtaining a sample of T cells from said patient;
- (b) contacting said sample of T cells in vitro with a diagnostic reagent which comprises a peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:
- 1-14 and 26-28;
- and
- (c) determining whether said diagnostic reagent binds to T cells in said sample of T cells.
A method of diagnosing exposure to HCMV in a patient which comprises:
- (a) obtaining a sample of T cells from said patient;
- (b) contacting said sample of T cells in vitro with a diagnostic reagent which comprises antigen presenting cells that present a peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:
- 1-14 and 26-28;
- and
- (c) determining the degree to which said diagnostic reagent stimulates T cells in said sample of T cells.
A method of determining the degree of HCMV immunostimulation in a patient suffering from HCMV infection which comprises:
- (a) obtaining a sample of T cells from said patient;
- (b) contacting said sample of T cells in vitro with a diagnostic reagent which comprises antigen presenting cells that present a peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:
- 1-14 and 26-28;
- and
- (c) determining the degree to which said diagnostic reagent stimulates T cells in said sample of T cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.