Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Stem Cell-Derived Viral Ag-Specific T Lymphocytes Suppress HBV Replication in Mice
07:25

Stem Cell-Derived Viral Ag-Specific T Lymphocytes Suppress HBV Replication in Mice

Published on: September 25, 2019

Cell-mediated immunity and the outcome of hepatitis C virus infection

Naglaa H Shoukry1, Andrew G Cawthon, Christopher M Walker

  • 1Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Columbus Children's Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA. shoukryn@pediatrics.ohio-state.edu

Annual Review of Microbiology
|October 19, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Understanding hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection requires examining immune responses. This review explores how T lymphocytes contribute to clearing HCV and why this protective immunity often fails, leading to chronic liver disease.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects 3% of the global population.
  • Most HCV infections become chronic, leading to progressive liver disease.
  • Cellular immunity is crucial for spontaneous HCV resolution and long-term protection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Review recent advances in understanding protective immunity against HCV.
  • Investigate the reasons for immune system failure in resolving HCV infection.
  • Highlight the roles of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in HCV immunity.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on HCV immunology.
  • Analysis of mechanisms underlying protective and non-protective immune responses.
  • Focus on the functions of T lymphocyte subsets.

Main Results:

  • Cellular immune responses, particularly T lymphocytes, are key to controlling HCV.
  • Defects in T cell function contribute to persistent viremia.
  • Distinct roles of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are essential for viral clearance.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding T cell-mediated immunity is critical for developing effective HCV therapies.
  • Identifying why protective immunity fails is crucial for preventing chronic hepatitis C.
  • Targeting immune responses may offer new strategies for HCV treatment and prevention.

More Related Videos

Analysis of HBV-Specific CD4 T-cell Responses and Identification of HLA-DR-Restricted CD4 T-Cell Epitopes Based on a Peptide Matrix10:37

Analysis of HBV-Specific CD4 T-cell Responses and Identification of HLA-DR-Restricted CD4 T-Cell Epitopes Based on a Peptide Matrix

Published on: October 20, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction01:28

Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction

Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by infection with hepatotropic viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Despite variations in structure and transmission, all viruses mentioned infect hepatocytes and provoke immune responses that can hinder liver function. Additionally, some non-hepatotropic viruses can also lead to hepatic inflammation.Hepatitis A VirusHepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through the fecal–oral route, typically by ingestion of food...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Overview
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity01:26

Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity

An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.