Frequencies of Circulating MAIT Cells Are Diminished in Chronic HCV, HIV and HCV/HIV Co-Infection and Do Not Recover during Therapy.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells comprise a subpopulation of T cells that can be activated by bacterial products and cytokines to produce IFN-γ. Since little is known on MAIT cells during HCV infection, we compared their phenotype and function in comparison to HIV and HCV/HIV co-infected patients, and determined the effect of IFN-α-based and direct-acting antiviral therapy on MAIT cells of HCV patients.

Methods

Blood samples from patients with chronic HCV (CHCV), virologically suppressed HIV, acute HCV/HIV co-infection (AHCV/HIV) and healthy individuals were examined by flowcytometry for phenotype and function of MAIT and NK cells.

Results and conclusions

Compared to healthy individuals, the frequency of CD161+Vα7.2+ MAIT cells was significantly d

SUBMITTER: Spaan M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4945024 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature