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.
Chiang
B L
BL
Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan ROC.
Yang
P M
PM
Hwang
L H
LH
Wang
J M
JM
Kao
S F
SF
Pan
C H
CH
Chi
W K
WK
Chen
P J
PJ
Chen
D S
DS
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