title: ELISPOT analysis of hepatitis C virus protein-specific IFN-gamma-producing peripheral blood lymphocytes in infected humans with and without cirrhosis.
abstract: An improved ability to monitor hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T cell immunity in infected patients may provide novel information regarding the pathogenesis and prognosis of this infection. We used an ELISPOT assay to analyze a cross-section of HCV-infected humans. HCV-infected patients without cirrhosis, those with cirrhosis, and controls with other liver diseases were tested for recall responses to HCV Core and NS3 proteins. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from HCV-infected patients without cirrhosis responded to NS3 and Core proteins, producing predominantly IFN-gamma, with little IL-4 or IL-5. In contrast, PBLs from HCV-infected patients with cirrhosis responded to NS3, but not to the Core protein, suggesting a selectively altered immune state during cirrhosis. Our data provide support for the notion that HCV-specific IFN-gamma-producing immunity is important in the pathogenesis of progressing HCV-related disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Anthony
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Post
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Valdez
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Heeger
mesh_terms: D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D011379:Prognosis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma