Abstract: Objective To establish HLA-A*2402 restricted HBV core antigen（HBcAg）-specific CTL clones. Methods PBMC obtained from a patient with chronic hepatitis B with HLA-A*2402 molecule positive were stimulated by using synthetic peptides（HBc117-125,EYLVSFGVW） and rHBcAg,and T cell clones subsequently were established by limiting dilution technique. T cell clones were then characterized by immunofluorescence staining,flow cytometry analysis and LDH release. Results After 3wk of in vitro stimulation,PBMC from the patient displayed peptide-specific cytolytic activity（43.7%,E/T ratio=60：1）;Eleven HBV-specific T cell clones were established from these activating PBMC by limiting dilution technique;Nine of these clones were CD8⁺T clones,and the other two were CD4⁺T clones;The nine CD8⁺T cell clones,including 2 Tc1,3 Tc2 and 4 Tc0,displayed peptide-specific cytolytic activity（33.9% to 90.2%,E/T ratio=2.5：1）. Conclusion HBc117-125 is capable of inducing Ag-specific cytotoxic T cells in PBMC of HLA-A*2402 positive patient with chronic hepatitis B. The Nine CD8⁺T cell clones display HBcAg epitope-specific cytolytic activity.

Key words: Hepatitis B, Cytotoxic T lymphocyte, Cell cloning, Epitope