Analysis of complement-bound HCV complexes using a novel immuno-capture RT-PCR method

Recently, more and more evidence has supported the hypothesis that liver cell injury was immune-mediated in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and that circulating immune complexes (CICs) might play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C (HC). In the present study, we have combined immuno-capture and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and developed a quick method of high specificity for the detection of complement-bound HCV-CIC. We found that there were higher frequencies of HCV-C1q CIC than that of HCV-factor B, and there was a deviation of complement from immunoglobulin (Ig) in HCV-CIC. These findings suggest that immuno-capture RT-PCR (iRT-PCR) for the detection of HCV-bound CIC is a valuable method for the analysis of the composition of the immune complexes, and for the understanding of host immune response and immune pathogenesis in HCV-infected individuals.