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Cellular immunity to hepatitis C virus core protein and the response to interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis

J J Lasarte1, M García-Granero, A López

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School and University Clinic, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.

Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.)
|September 10, 1998
PubMed

Insights

A robust T-helper cell response targeting hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigens is crucial for viral clearance following interferon therapy. Higher precursor frequencies and broader epitope recognition correlate with sustained virological response.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Hepatology

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global health concern.
  • Interferon (IFN) therapy is a standard treatment, but predicting sustained response remains challenging.
  • The role of T-cell immunity in achieving viral clearance after IFN therapy requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between T-cell responses against HCV core antigens and viral clearance after IFN therapy.
  • To quantify the frequency of HCV core-specific T-helper (Th) cell precursors in patients undergoing IFN treatment.
  • To analyze the recognition of specific HCV core epitopes by T-cells in relation to treatment outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Peripheral mononuclear cells from chronic hepatitis C patients were analyzed for interleukin-2 (IL-2) production in response to HCV core antigen.
  • Limiting-dilution assays were used to determine the frequency of circulating core-specific Th cell precursors in a cohort of 43 patients.
  • A second cohort of 60 patients had their response to 52 synthetic core peptides analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Patients achieving sustained virological response (SR) exhibited significantly higher frequencies of core-specific Th cell precursors compared to untreated or non-responding patients.
  • The number of recognized core peptides was substantially higher in SR patients (8.2) than in non-responders (2.0) or healthy controls (0.3).
  • The intensity of T-cell proliferative response to core peptides was significantly higher in SR patients compared to non-responders and untreated patients.

Conclusions:

  • Expansion of HCV-specific Th cell precursors is a critical factor for successful viral elimination post-IFN therapy.
  • Effective clearance of HCV is associated with Th cell recognition of multiple HCV core epitopes.
  • These findings highlight the importance of cellular immunity in achieving sustained virological response to IFN treatment for chronic hepatitis C.

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