Comprehensive longitudinal analysis of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T cell responses during acute HCV infection in the presence of existing HIV-1 infection.
The aim of this study was to study the development of HCV-specific T cell immunity during acute HCV infection in the presence of an existing HIV-1 infection in four HIV-1 infected men having sex with men. A comprehensive analysis of HCV-specific T cell responses was performed at two time points during acute HCV infection using a T cell expansion assay with overlapping peptide pools spanning the entire HCV genome Three patients with (near) normal CD4+ T cell counts (range 400-970 x 10(6)/L) either resolved (n=1) or temporary suppressed HCV RNA. In contrast, one patient with low CD4+ T cell counts (330 x 10(6)/L), had sustained high HCV RNA levels. All four patients had low HCV-specific CD8+ T cell responses, and similar magnitudes of CD4+ T cell responses. Interestingly, individuals with resolved infection or temporary suppression of HCV-RNA had HCV-specific CD4+ T cell responses predominantly against nonstructural (NS) proteins. While the individual with high HCV RNA plasma concentrations had CD4+ T cell responses predominantly directed against Core. Our data show that an acute HCV infection in an HIV-1 infected person can be suppressed in the presence of HCV-specific CD4+ T cell response targeting non-structural proteins. However further research is needed in a larger group of patients to evaluate the role of HIV-1 on HCV-specific T cell responses in relation to outcome of acute HCV infection.
van den Berg
C H S B
CH
Department of Experimental Virology, Center for Infection and Immunity (CINIMA), Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Ruys
T A
TA
Nanlohy
N M
NM
Geerlings
S E
SE
van der Meer
J T
JT
Mulder
J-W
JW
Lange
J A
JA
van Baarle
D
D
D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D019562:Viral Load; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins / Q000276:immunology
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins