title: The Intrahepatic T Cell Compartment Does Not Normalize Years After Therapy-Induced Hepatitis C Virus Eradication.
abstract: Little is known about the immune status in liver and blood of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection long after therapy-induced viral clearance. In this study, we demonstrate that, 4 years after clearance, regulation of HCV-specific immunity in blood by regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the immunosuppressive cytokines interleukin 10 and transforming growth factor β is still ongoing. Importantly, analysis of liver specimens collected 4 years after HCV clearance shows that intrahepatic Tregs are still present in all patients, suggesting that liver T cells remain regulated. Identifying mechanisms that regulate HCV-specific memory T-cell responses after clearance is highly relevant for the development of protective vaccines, especially in patients at high risk of reinfection.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: Spaan
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases Section, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Mark A A
authors: MA
authors: Claassen
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Hou
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Liver Clinic University Health Network, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Toronto, Canada.
authors: Harry L A
authors: HL
authors: Janssen
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
authors: Robert J
authors: RJ
authors: de Knegt
authors: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
authors: Andre
authors: A
authors: Boonstra
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D060740:Disease Eradication; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents
keywords: IL-10; TGF-β; Treg; gene expression; intrahepatic