Background: The HLA class I gene family is composed of a group of genes whose products encode cell surface glycoproteins of MW 40–45 kDa, associated non-covalently with the beta-2-microglobulin light chain. They include the three polymorphic molecules HLA-A, -B, and -C, which are ubiquitously expressed and which are able to present intracellular peptides to cytotoxic T cells. Three additional c...

CTL together with anti-envelope Abs represent major effectors for viral clearance during hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The induction of strong cytotoxic and Ab responses against the envelope proteins after DNA-based immunization has been proposed as a promising therapeutic approach to mediate viral clearance in chronically infected patients. Here, we studied the CTL responses against previ...