CD4+ T cell responses in patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing peginterferon/ribavirin therapy correlate with faster, but not sustained, viral clearance.
T cell immune responses may be important for the elimination of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection during antiviral treatment. In the present study, the kinetics of T cell responses to HCV antigens (NS3-4 and core) were prospectively assessed and were correlated with virologic outcome in 31 patients with chronic HCV infection undergoing peginterferon- alpha 2a/ribavirin therapy. NS3-4--directed T helper cell type 1 (Th1) responses were detected in 77% of patients with a significant decline in viremia at treatment week 4 but were not detected not in those with a slower viral decline. The detectability of NS3-4--directed Th1 responses was associated with faster viremia clearance, was short-lived, and did not seem to be associated with the final treatment outcome.
Aberle
Judith H
JH
Institute of Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1095, Austria. judith.aberle@meduniwien.ac.at
Perstinger
Gabriela
G
Weseslindtner
Lukas
L
Sinzinger
Ursula
U
Gurguta
Calin
C
Steindl-Munda
Petra
P
Kundi
Michael
M
Popow-Kraupp
Theresia
T
Ferenci
Peter
P
Holzmann
Heidemarie
H
D000328:Adult; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a