AIM To identify hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein epitopes recognized by HLA-A2 restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL).METHODS Utilizing the method of computer prediction followed by a 4 h 51 Cr-release assay confirmation.RESULTS The results showed that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from two HLA-A2 positive donors who were infected with HCV could lyse autologous target cells labeled with peptide "ALAHGVFAL (core TS0-158)".The rates of specific lysis of the cells from the two donors were 37.5% and 15.8%,respectively. Blocking of the CTL response with anti-CD4 mAb caused no significant decrease of the specific lysis.But blocking of CTL response with anti-CD8 mAb could abolish the Iysis.CONCLUSION The peptide (core 150 - 158 ) is the candidate epitope recognized by HLA-A2 restricted CTL.