Early and late changes in natural killer cells in response to ledipasvir/sofosbuvir treatment.

ABSTRACT: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is characterized by dysregulated natural killer (NK) cell responses. NKs play a critical role in achieving sustained responses to interferon (IFN)-α-based therapy. Rapid sustained HCV-RNA clearance is now achieved with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Studies of patients receiving first-wave DAAs suggest NK functional restoration. Here, we investigate the effect of mainstream DAA treatment on NKs. We collected a prospective cohort of male HCV genotype 1-infected patients treated with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (n = 22). Peripheral blood was obtained at treatment start, week 2 (W2), W4, W8, and W12 of treatment and 12 weeks posttreatment. Flow cytometry was used to characterize NK responses to therapy. Mean baseline viral load was 1.75 million IU/mL. All

SUBMITTER: Golden-Mason L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5880201 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature