Establishment and characterization of NS3 protein-specific T-cell clones from a patient with chronic hepatitis C.
Our previous study showed dominant proliferative response of peripheral mononuclear cells to hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural (NS-3) (T9, from aa 1188 to 1493) in chronically infected patients. Six T9-specific T-cell clones derived in an HCV patient were established and studied for the antigen specificity and the ability of augmentation of in vitro antibody production. All these cloned T-cell lines responded exclusively to T9 antigen and could help autologous B cells in producing anti-T9 antibody in vitro. Cytokine mRNAs of these T cells was detected by polymerase chain reaction and predominant IL-2 and IFN-gamma production was noted. In addition, further elucidation of T-cell antigenic determinant and MHC restriction suggested that these T-cell clones recognized at least two different T-cell antigenic determinants within the NS-3 region in an HLA DQ2-restricted manner. We believe characterization of HCV-specific T-cell responses, especially T-cell epitope mapping and cytokine production pattern, may shed light on further understanding the pathogenic mechanism and designing therapy for HCV infection.
Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan ROC.
B L
BL
Chiang
P M
PM
Yang
L H
LH
Hwang
J M
JM
Wang
S F
SF
Kao
C H
CH
Pan
W K
WK
Chi
P J
PJ
Chen
D S
DS
Chen
D000917:Antibody Formation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002999:Clone Cells; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017931:DNA Primers; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D043583:Nucleoside-Triphosphatase; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases; D000085242:Viral Proteases
D016207:Cytokines; D017931:DNA Primers; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins; C084422:NS3 protein, hepatitis C virus; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D043583:Nucleoside-Triphosphatase; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases; D000085242:Viral Proteases