FIG 4.

Impact of genotype-specific amino acid mutations on the HLA-Cw0801/Env_171–180 T cell response. (A) Schematic diagram showing the location of the Env_171–180 epitope within the full-length HBV envelope protein. (B) Functional affinity of genotype-specific Env_171–180 variants. The dose-response curve was generated as described in the legend of Fig. 3. (C) Frequencies of Env 171L- or Env 171F-specific T cells from four representative subjects (R26, R29, R43, and R48) with serological evidence of prior HBV infection. The frequencies were quantified after 10 days of in vitro expansion with the respective epitopes.