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Updated: May 7, 2026

A Protocol for Analyzing Hepatitis C Virus Replication
Published on: June 26, 2014
Hepatitis C virus-specific T-cell reactivity during interferon and ribavirin treatment in chronic hepatitis C
M E Cramp1, S Rossol, S Chokshi
1Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, England.
Background & Aims:
The role of virus-specific T-helper lymphocyte reactivity in determining the therapeutic response in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is not fully understood.
Methods:
We studied CD4(+) T lymphocyte proliferation together with interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-10 production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to 4 HCV antigens (core, NS3, NS4, and NS5) in 25 patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing antiviral therapy with IFN alone or in combination with ribavirin, prospectively, before, during, and after treatment.
Results:
HCV-specific T-cell reactivity was uncommon at baseline but increased markedly during antiviral therapy, peaking around treatment weeks 4-8. Resolution of hepatitis C viremia was significantly more likely in patients who developed HCV-specific T-cell proliferation with increased IFN-gamma production. The main difference in T-cell reactivity of patients treated with IFN plus ribavirin was a significantly lower production of IL-10, whereas lymphocyte proliferation was similar to that in patients receiving IFN monotherapy.
Conclusions:
Treatment-induced control of hepatitis C viremia is associated with the development of HCV-specific T-cell responses with enhanced IFN-gamma and low IL-10 production. The greater efficacy of combination therapy with IFN-alpha plus ribavirin may be related to its ability to suppress HCV-specific IL-10 production.
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