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Characterization of T-cell responses against immunodominant epitopes from hepatitis C virus E2 and NS4a proteins.
- Source :
-
Journal of viral hepatitis [J Viral Hepat] 2006 Jan; Vol. 13 (1), pp. 47-55. - Publication Year :
- 2006
-
Abstract
- Successful clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been associated with strong cellular immune responses against viral antigens. However, although the magnitude of these responses is clearly important for viral eradication, more studies are needed to unravel the fine specificity of the protective anti-HCV immunity in infected patients. This was the aim of the present study. Overlapping peptides spanning the sequence of HCV E2 and NS4a proteins were used to stimulate T cells from patients with chronic hepatitis C divided into three groups: naïve patients, patients who exhibited sustained response to interferon (IFN)-alpha therapy and patients who failed to respond to the treatment. Interleukin-2 production by stimulated cells was measured in each case. Patients with sustained response to therapy had stronger responses to E2 peptides than nonresponders, whereas naïve patients demonstrated intermediate reactivity. In the case of NS4a, responses against peptides where similar in all groups of patients. Analysis of the peptides recognized by T cells showed that responses were broad and heterogeneous, and some immunodominant epitopes, preferentially recognized by patients exhibiting sustained response to treatment, were found. These results confirm the role of cellular immune responses in viral clearance, and stress the importance of immunodominant regions within HCV antigens. These viral sequences may represent valuable immunogens for preparation of therapeutic or prophylactic vaccines.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Aged
Amino Acid Sequence
Female
HLA-DR Antigens genetics
HLA-DR Antigens immunology
Hepacivirus genetics
Hepatitis C virology
Humans
Immunodominant Epitopes immunology
Interleukin-2 analysis
Male
Middle Aged
Molecular Sequence Data
Peptide Fragments immunology
Peptide Fragments pharmacology
RNA, Viral chemistry
RNA, Viral genetics
T-Lymphocytes drug effects
T-Lymphocytes virology
Hepacivirus immunology
Hepatitis C immunology
T-Lymphocytes immunology
Viral Envelope Proteins immunology
Viral Nonstructural Proteins immunology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1352-0504
- Volume :
- 13
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of viral hepatitis
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 16364082
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2893.2005.00653.x