Natural epitope variants of the hepatitis C virus impair cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity

AIM:To understand how interactions between hepatitis C virus(HCV) and the host's immune system might lead to viral persistence or effective elimination of HCV.METHODS:Nucleotides 3519-3935 of the non-structural 3(NS3) region were amplified by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(PCR).PCR products of the HCV NS3 regions were integrated into a PCR T7TOPO TA vector and then sequenced in both directions using an automated DNA sequencer.Relative major histocompatibility complex binding levels ...