Virological footprint of CD4+ T-cell responses during chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

ABSTRACT: Human and animal model evidence suggests that CD4+ T cells play a critical role in the control of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, despite their importance, the mechanism behind the failure of such populations in chronic disease is not understood and the contribution of viral mutation is not known. To address this, this study defined the specificity and virological footprint of CD4+ T cells in chronic infection. CD8+ T-cell-depleted peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 61 HCV genotype 1-infected patients were analysed against a panel of peptides covering the HCV genotype 1 core--a region where CD4+ T-cell responses may be reproducibly obtained. In parallel, the core region and E2 protein were sequenced. Gamma interferon-secreting CD4+ T-cell responses directed against

SUBMITTER: Fleming VM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3052717 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature