Hepatitis C virus–specific T-cell reactivity during interferon and ribavirin treatment in chronic hepatitis C
ME Cramp, S Rossol, S Chokshi, P Carucci, R Williams… - Gastroenterology, 2000 - Elsevier
ME Cramp, S Rossol, S Chokshi, P Carucci, R Williams, NV Naoumov
Gastroenterology, 2000•ElsevierBackground & Aims: The role of virus-specific T-helper lymphocyte reactivity in determining
the therapeutic response in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is not fully understood.
Methods: We studied CD4+ T lymphocyte proliferation together with interferon (IFN)-γ and
interleukin (IL)-10 production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to 4 HCV
antigens (core, NS3, NS4, and NS5) in 25 patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing
antiviral therapy with IFN alone or in combination with ribavirin, prospectively, before, during …
the therapeutic response in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is not fully understood.
Methods: We studied CD4+ T lymphocyte proliferation together with interferon (IFN)-γ and
interleukin (IL)-10 production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to 4 HCV
antigens (core, NS3, NS4, and NS5) in 25 patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing
antiviral therapy with IFN alone or in combination with ribavirin, prospectively, before, during …
Background & Aims
The role of virus-specific T-helper lymphocyte reactivity in determining the therapeutic response in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is not fully understood.
Methods
We studied CD4+ T lymphocyte proliferation together with interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-10 production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to 4 HCV antigens (core, NS3, NS4, and NS5) in 25 patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing antiviral therapy with IFN alone or in combination with ribavirin, prospectively, before, during, and after treatment.
Results
HCV-specific T-cell reactivity was uncommon at baseline but increased markedly during antiviral therapy, peaking around treatment weeks 4–8. Resolution of hepatitis C viremia was significantly more likely in patients who developed HCV-specific T-cell proliferation with increased IFN-γ production. The main difference in T-cell reactivity of patients treated with IFN plus ribavirin was a significantly lower production of IL-10, whereas lymphocyte proliferation was similar to that in patients receiving IFN monotherapy.
Conclusions
Treatment-induced control of hepatitis C viremia is associated with the development of HCV-specific T-cell responses with enhanced IFN-γ and low IL-10 production. The greater efficacy of combination therapy with IFN-α plus ribavirin may be related to its ability to suppress HCV-specific IL-10 production. GASTROENTEROLOGY 2000;118:346-355
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