CD8+ T cell escape of HCV by selection of a polymorphism in the epitope flanking region that impairs antigen processing and presentation

Background: Antiviral CD8+ T cells are a key component of the adaptive immune response against HCV, however, mutational escape by the virus in dominant epitopes contributes to viral persistence. Highly conserved immunodominant epitopes with a high genetic barrier to mutational escape are therefore attractive candidates for T cell based vaccines. The HLA-B*51-restricted CD8+ T cell epitope IPFYGKAI1373–1380 is highly conserved across most HCV genotypes including the most frequent genotypes 1a, 1b and GT3a. Here, we characterized this epitope in spontaneously resolved and chronic HCV infection. Methods: The freque…