Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

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...

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Co-regulation of HIV control and cytomegalovirus pp65-specific IL-1β and TNF-α responses by genetic variants in the MHC region.

PLoS pathogens·2026

Same author

From Diagnosis to Durability: A Review of the European Bulevirtide Experience and Practical Learnings for CHD Management.

Liver international : official journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver·2026

Same author

Course and clinical outcomes of chronic hepatitis delta: a longitudinal analysis of 565 patients from the D-SOLVE and HDV-1000 consortia.

Gut·2026

Same author

Acute HEV Infection Is a Relevant Cause of Decompensation and ACLF in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis.

Liver international : official journal of the International Association for the Study of the Liver·2026

Same author

Immunomodulatory effects of cannabis use: a multi-omics study in people living with HIV.

Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2026

Same author

Concomitant liver steatosis in chronic HBV infection is linked to a distinct cytokine profile and reduced viral load.

The Journal of infectious diseases·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 7, 2026

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

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

Published on: September 25, 2019

Transient Interferon-Driven Natural Killer Cell Activation in Acute Hepatitis C.

Benedikt Strunz¹, Qiuyao Zhan^2,3, Tanvi Khera³

¹Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases

|December 26, 2025

Summary

Acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection triggers a rise in activated Natural Killer (NK) cells, driven by interferon. While NK cell populations largely normalize after direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment, a lasting imprint remains.

Keywords:

NK cells acute hepatitis C single-cell RNA sequencing

More Related Videos

The CYP2D6 Animal Model: How to Induce Autoimmune Hepatitis in Mice

The CYP2D6 Animal Model: How to Induce Autoimmune Hepatitis in Mice

Published on: February 3, 2012

Measurement of Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity and Migration in the Context of Hepatic Tumor Cells

Measurement of Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity and Migration in the Context of Hepatic Tumor Cells

Published on: February 22, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 7, 2026

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

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

Published on: September 25, 2019

The CYP2D6 Animal Model: How to Induce Autoimmune Hepatitis in Mice

The CYP2D6 Animal Model: How to Induce Autoimmune Hepatitis in Mice

Published on: February 3, 2012

Measurement of Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity and Migration in the Context of Hepatic Tumor Cells

Measurement of Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity and Migration in the Context of Hepatic Tumor Cells

Published on: February 22, 2020

Area of Science:

Immunology
Virology
Transcriptomics

Background:

Acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is rare but treatable with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs).
Natural Killer (NK) cells are crucial in the immune response during acute HCV infection.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role and characteristics of NK cells during acute HCV infection.
To compare NK cell profiles in acute HCV, chronic HCV, and healthy individuals.
To analyze transcriptomic changes in NK cells during acute HCV infection and after DAA treatment.

Main Methods:

Longitudinal sampling of patients with acute HCV.
Flow cytometry and single-cell sequencing for NK cell analysis.
Transcriptomic analysis to identify cellular pathways.

Main Results:

A distinct subset of highly activated NK cells with a type-I interferon signature was identified in acute HCV.
This activated NK cell population diminished after successful DAA therapy.
A long-term phenotypic alteration in NK cells was observed post-cure compared to healthy controls.

Conclusions:

Interferon drives an increase in activated NK cells during acute HCV infection.
Viral clearance via DAAs largely restores NK cell populations, but a residual imprint persists.
These findings illuminate the immunological underpinnings of effective antiviral responses in hepatitis C.