Expression of hepatitis C virus core protein in hepatocytes does not modulate proliferation or apoptosis of CD8+ T cells.
Hepatocytes are the primary targets of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). While immunosuppressive roles of HCV core protein have been found in several studies, it remains uncertain whether core protein expressed in hepatocytes rather than in immune cells affects the CD8+ T cell response. In order to transduce genes selectively into hepatocytes, we developed a baculoviral vector system that enabled primary hepatocytes to express a target epitope for CD8+ T cells, derived from ovalbumin (OVA), with or without HCV core protein. Culture of OVA-specific CD8+ T cells with hepatocytes infected with these baculoviral vectors revealed that core protein has no effect on proliferation or apoptosis of CD8+ T cells. Our results suggest that HCV core protein does not exert its suppressive role on the CD8+ T cell immune response through expression in hepatocytes.
Jin
Young-Hee
YH
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 442-749, Korea.
Crispe
I Nicholas
IN
Park
Sun
S
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D016367:Baculoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology*; D051379:Mice; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014758:Viral Core Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D014758:Viral Core Proteins; C485184:enhanced green fluorescent protein; C069130:nucleocapsid protein, Hepatitis C virus; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D010047:Ovalbumin