T-cell immunity and hepatitis C virus reinfection after cure of chronic hepatitis C with an interferon-free antiviral regimen in a chimpanzee.

ABSTRACT:

Unlabelled

Memory CD8+ T cells generated by spontaneous resolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection rapidly control secondary infections and reduce the risk of virus persistence. Here, CD8+ T-cell immunity and response to reinfection were assessed in a chimpanzee cured of an earlier chronic infection with an interferon (IFN)-free antiviral regimen. CD8+ T cells expanded from liver immediately before and 2 years after cure of chronic infection with two direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) targeted epitopes in the E2, nonstructural (NS)5a, and NS5b proteins. A second infection to assess CD8+ T-cell responsiveness resulted in rapid suppression of HCV replication by week 2, but viremia rebounded 3 weeks later and the infection persisted. The E2, NS5a, and NS5b proteins remained dominant

SUBMITTER: Callendret B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4242208 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature