Escape from HLA-B*08-restricted CD8 T cells by hepatitis C virus is associated with fitness costs.

ABSTRACT: The inherent sequence diversity of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents a major hurdle for the adaptive immune system to control viral replication. Mutational escape within targeted CD8 epitopes during acute HCV infection has been well documented and is one possible mechanism for T-cell failure. HLA-B*08 was recently identified as one HLA class I allele associated with spontaneous clearance of HCV replication. Selection of escape mutations in the immunodominant HLA-B*08-restricted epitope HSKKKCDEL(1395-1403) was observed during acute infection. However, little is known about the impact of escape mutations in this epitope on viral replication capacity. Their previously reported reversion back toward the consensus residue in patients who do not possess the B*08 allele suggests that the co

SUBMITTER: Salloum S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2583685 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature