Hepatitis C Virus Induces MDSCs-Like Monocytes through TLR2/PI3K/AKT/STAT3 Signaling.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Recent studies reveal the accumulation of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) following HCV infection, which may facilitate and maintain HCV persistent infection. The mechanisms by which HCV induces MDSCs are poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms by which HCV induces MDSCs that lead to suppression of T cell proliferation and expansion of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells.

Methods

Purified monocytes from healthy donors were cultured with HCV core protein (HCVc) or cell culture-derived HCV virions (HCVcc), and characterized the phenotype and function of these monocytes by flow cytometry, quantitative PCR, ELISA and western blot assays. In addition, peripheral blood from h

SUBMITTER: Zhai N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5256909 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature