[Transfusion of activated immune cells induced fluctuations of HCV titer without mutations in hepatitis C virus core and E2 region CTL epitopes].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the variations of HCV core and E2 region epitopes during transfusion of activated immune cells.


METHODS
Four patients receiving transfusion of activated immune cells were under continuously observation. HCV titers were measured by quantitive PCR. HCV core and E2 regions were cloned and sequences were analyzed by computer software.


RESULTS
During the follow-up the serum ALT levels and the HCV virus titers fluctuated greatly in each of these persons. After transfusion, no significant variations were observed in HCV core and E2 coding regions.


CONCLUSIONS
The alteration of host immune attacks could induce the fluctuations of HCV load without any mutations in the currently observed coding genes of the epitopes.
Wang
Qixin
Q
Institute of Hepatology, People's Hospital, Beijing University, Beijing 100044, China.
Chen
Hongsong
H
Cong
Xu
X
Fei
Ran
R
Gao
Yan
Y
Sun
Jing
J
Wei
Lai
L
Wang
Yu
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D019562:Viral Load
D000939:Epitopes; D014758:Viral Core Proteins; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C069130:nucleocapsid protein, Hepatitis C virus; C091015:glycoprotein E2, Hepatitis C virus; D000410:Alanine Transaminase