title: CD27(+)CD56Bright natural killer cells may be involved in spontaneous clearance of acute hepatitis C in HIV-positive patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to analyse the potential role of CD27 in natural killer (NK) cell-mediated control of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in HIV-positive patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Frequency of CD27-expressing CD56 NK cells was analysed in HIV mono-infected individuals and HIV-positive patients with acute or chronic hepatitis C. Anti-HCV activity of CD27(+) and CD27(-) NK cells was compared.
  
  
  METHODS
  NK cell mediated inhibition of HCV replication was analysed using the HUH7 HCV Replicon model. NK cell phenotype and interferon (IFN) secretion was studied by flowcytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High frequency of CD27(+)CD56 NK cells is associated with spontaneous clearance of acute hepatitis C in HIV-positive patients. Accordingly, we found CD27(+)CD56 NK cells to display strong anti-HCV activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results underline the important role of NK cells in modulating outcome of HCV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Bonn, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eisenhardt
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Glässner
authors.forename: Franziska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wolter
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Krämer
authors.forename: Pavlos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kokordelis
authors.forename: Hans-Dieter
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Nischalke
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boesecke
authors.forename: Jürgen K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Rockstroh
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Spengler
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nattermann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D019002:CD56 Antigen; C522918:NCAM1 protein, human; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7; D007372:Interferons