The Frequency of CD127+ Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-Specific T Cells but Not the Expression of Exhaustion Markers Predicts the Outcome of Acute HCV Infection

EC Shin, SH Park, M Nascimbeni, M Major… - Journal of …, 2013 - Am Soc Microbiol
EC Shin, SH Park, M Nascimbeni, M Major, L Caggiari, V de Re, SM Feinstone, CM Rice…
Journal of virology, 2013Am Soc Microbiol
ABSTRACT T cells are exhausted and overexpress inhibitory molecules in chronic hepatitis
C virus (HCV) infection. It is unclear whether this is the cause or consequence of HCV
persistence. By studying serial blood and liver samples of chimpanzees during acute
infection, we demonstrate that the early expression of the memory precursor marker CD127
on HCV-specific T cells, but not the expression of inhibitory molecules on those T cells or
their ligands in the liver, predicts the outcome of acute infection.
Abstract
T cells are exhausted and overexpress inhibitory molecules in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. It is unclear whether this is the cause or consequence of HCV persistence. By studying serial blood and liver samples of chimpanzees during acute infection, we demonstrate that the early expression of the memory precursor marker CD127 on HCV-specific T cells, but not the expression of inhibitory molecules on those T cells or their ligands in the liver, predicts the outcome of acute infection.
American Society for Microbiology