Natural cytotoxicity receptor-dependent natural killer cytolytic activity directed at hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is associated with liver inflammation, African American race, IL28B genotype, and response to pegylated interferon/ribavirin therapy in chronic HCV infection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Natural killer (NK) cells are implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and outcome of interferon (IFN)-α based therapy, although mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods

To evaluate NK ability to control HCV infection, we analyzed healthy donor and HCV-infected donor NK-cell cytolytic activity directed at HCV-infected target cells.

Results

HCV-infected subjects' natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR)-dependent NK-cell cytolytic activity directed at HCV-infected and uninfected Huh7.5 target cells was greater than that of cells from healthy donors, and this localized to the African American subset. However, IFN-α-enhanced NK cytolytic function was lower in HCV-infected subjects, again localized mainly to the African American subset. Addition

SUBMITTER: Meng Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3997579 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature