Epitope sequence analysis and correlation with CD127 expression.

Autologous virus sequences were obtained from patients with genotype 1 with detectable HCV-specific CD8+ T cell responses targeting immunodominant epitopes. Level of CD127 on T cells recognizing these epitopes is indicated next to the tetramer frequency and the respective sequence (hi: >80% CD127 expression, mid: 50–80% CD127 expression, lo: <50% CD127 expression). The consensus sequences for genotype 1a and 1b are shown below. Differing amino acids from variant autologous sequences are highlighted in bold. Abb.: Con, consensus sequence; gt, HCV genotype; n.a., not available; Pt, patient.