title: Detection of type 2-like T-helper cells in hepatitis C virus infection: implications for hepatitis C virus chronicity.
abstract: One striking clinical feature of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is that more than 50% of patients with acute hepatitis C will develop chronic infection. To investigate its possible mechanisms, we examined the activation of type 2-like T-helper (Th2-like) cells relating to the development of chronicity. Peripheral blood CD4+ T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion in response to a panel of recombinant HCV antigens including core (C22), envelope 1 (E1), E2, nonstructural (NS) protein 4 (C100), fusion protein of NS3 and NS4 (C200), and NS5 were assayed in 17 patients with acute hepatitis C. All six patients with self-limited disease had a significant CD4+ T-cell proliferation to C22, E1, C100, C200, and NS5, running parallel with the antigen-stimulated secretion of interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), but not with interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10, indicating predominant Th1 responses. Among the remaining 11 patients who developed chronicity, 6, 2, and 9 cases showed a specific CD4+ T-cell response to C22, C100, and C200, respectively, and the responses were significantly lower than those of cases with recovery in terms of stimulation index (SI) (P < .05) and of antigen-stimulated IL-2 and IFN-gamma production. Importantly, IL-4 and IL-10 (Th2 responses) were detectable, and C22-specific Th2-like T-cell clones could be generated from patients with chronicity. The data suggested that activation of Th2 responses in acute hepatitis C patients may play a role in the development of chronicity.
authors.affiliation: Liver Research Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Y F
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Liaw
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Kuo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma