ABSTRACT
Objective To generate HLA - A * 0201 and A * 2403 restricted HBcAg - specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were derived from a HLA - A * 0201/2403 - positive patient with chron- ic hepatitis B . PBMCs were stimulated respectively using two synthetic peptides( HBc18 ～ 27 and HBc 117 ～ 125) , and epitope -specific CTL clones were generated by limiting dilution technique with PHA alone or combined with synthetic peptides. The cell clones were then characterized by IF staining,FCM and LDH release. Results After 2 weeks of in vitro stimulating PBMCs, specific CTL lines were established. 29 T clones were generated from those CTL lines using HBc18 ～27 stimulating. Among the 29 clones ,28 clones belonged to CD8~+ T cells and all displayed cytolytic activity. 12 CD8 +T clones were generated from those CTL lines using HBc117 ～ 125 stimulating. Specific cytotoxic activity was observed in 9 of those clones. The other three displayed less cytolytic activity. In the process of cloning, PHA was used alone or combined with synthetic peptides,and the achievement showed a rate of 15.62% and 14.58% . Conclusion HBc18 ～ 27 and HBc117 ～ 125 are capable of activating CD8~+ T cells in PBMCs of HLA - A * 0201 /2403 patient with chronic hepatitis B. In the process of CD8~+T cloning, synthetic peptides could not increase the rate of successful cloning.