HIV-1 gag cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitope and method of use
AssigneeUnited Biomedical, Inc.
InventorsAndrew James McMichael, Douglas Fraser Nixon, Alain Robert Michael Townsend
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A novel human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitope has been identified in the gag coding region. This epitope corresponds to amino acids 255-269 of Gag and has the following sequence: NH.sub.2 -asn-pro-pro-ile-pro-val-gly-glu-ile-tyr-lys-arg-trp-ile-ile-COOH. This peptide interacts specifically with human leukocyte antigen-B8 (HLA-B8). This peptide is useful for the identification HIV-1 gag-specific CTL.
Claims7
A peptide having the amino acid sequence NH.sub.2 -asparagine-proline-proline-isoleucine-proline-valine-glycine-glutamate-is oleucine-tyrosine-lysine-arginine-tryptophan-isoleucine-isoleucine-COOH.
A composition comprising:
- (i) a peptide having the amino acid sequence NH.sub.2 -asparagine-proline-proline-isoleucine-proline-valine-glycine-glutamate-is oleucine-tyrosine-lysine-arginine-tryptophan-isoleucine-isoleucine-COOH;
- and
- (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
A method of assaying a sample for the presence of HIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, said method comprising the following steps:
- (i) obtaining and preparing a sample comprising peptide-specific CTL effector cells wherein said peptide has the sequence NH.sub.2 -asparagine-proline-proline-isoleucine-proline-valine-glycine-glutamate-is oleucine-tyrosine-lys ine-arginine-tryptophan-isoleucine-isoleucine-COOH;
- (ii) obtaining and preparing labeled HLA class I matched target cells;
- (iii) admixing the effector cells and target cells;
- and
- (iv) determining the amount of label released by said target cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.