HLA-B*27 subtype specificity determines targeting and viral evolution of a hepatitis C virus-specific CD8+ T cell epitope.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

HLA-B*27 is associated with spontaneous HCV genotype 1 clearance. HLA-B*27-restricted CD8+ T cells target three NS5B epitopes. Two of these epitopes are dominantly targeted in the majority of HLA-B*27+ patients. In chronic infection, viral escape occurs consistently in these two epitopes. The third epitope (NS5B2820) was dominantly targeted in an acutely infected patient. This was in contrast, however, to the lack of recognition and viral escape in the large majority of HLA-B*27+ patients. Here, we set out to determine the host factors contributing to selective targeting of this epitope.

Methods

Four-digit HLA class I typing and viral sequence analyses were performed in 78 HLA-B*27+ patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 infection. CD8+ T cell analyses were p

SUBMITTER: Nitschke K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3867523 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature