Immunodominant human T-cell epitopes of hepatitis C virus

A peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:

• 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 55, 56, 109, 111, 112, 113, 115, 116, 119-120 and 125-134.

A peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO 110 wherein Xaa at location 2 is not Ile when Xaa at location 4 is Thr, SEQ ID NO:122 wherein Xaa at location 1 is not Leu when Xaa at location 2 is Val, and SEQ ID NO:123 wherein Xaa at location 1 is Ile.

A peptide of at least 8 to at most 20 contiguous amino acids consisting of at least 8 to at most 20 contiguous amino acids of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:

• 45, 46, 55, 108, 111, 112, 115, 116, 120, 125-129 and 134, wherein said peptide contains a T cell-stimulating epitope.

A method of Inducing a specific T cell function comprising administering to a person a peptide consisting of at least 8 to at most 70 contiguous amino acids of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:

• 108, or a peptide consisting of at least 8 to at most 32 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:
• 49, wherein said peptide contains a T cell-stimulating epitope, and wherein said peptide is administered in an amount sufficient to induce T cell activity.

A method of immunizing a person comprising administering to said person a peptide consisting of at least 9 to at most 70 contiguous amino acids of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:

• 108, or a peptide consisting of at least 9 to at most 32 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:
• 49, wherein said peptide contains a T cell-stimulating epitope.

A method of immunizing a person comprising administering to said person a peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:

• 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 55, 56, 109, 111, 112, 113, 115, 116, 119-120 and 125-134.

A method of immunizing a person comprising administering to said person a peptide consisting of at least 8 to at most 20 contiguous amino acids consisting of at least 8 to at most 20 amino acids of the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs:

• 45, 46, 55, 109, 111, 112, 113, 115, 116, 120, 125-129 and 134, wherein said peptide contains a T cell-stimulating epitope.

An isolated peptide of at least 9 to at most 32 amino acids comprising SEQ ID NO:

• 121, wherein said peptide comprises a T-cell stimulating epitope.

An isolated peptide of at least 8 to at most 30 amino acids comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:42, 43, 119, 120, 128, 129, 131 and 132, and wherein said peptide comprises a T-cell stimulating epitope.

An isolated peptide of at least 8 to at most 32 amino acids comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:

• 47, 56, 109, 111, 112, 113, 115 and 116, and wherein said peptide comprises a T-cell stimulating epitope.

An isolated peptide of at least 8 to at most 68 amino acids comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:

• 41, 45, 126, 127, 130 and 134, and wherein said peptide comprises a T-cell stimulating epitope.

An isolated peptide of at least 9 to at most 32 amino acids comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:

• 110 and 114, wherein said peptide comprises a T-cell stimulating epitope.

An isolated peptide of at least 9 to at most 20 amino acids comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:

• 122, 123 and 124, wherein said peptide comprises a T-cell stimulating epitope.