TCD8 response in diverse outcomes of recurrent exposure to hepatitis C virus

Abstract

To analyse the immune correlates in a setting of recurrent exposure to hepatitis C virus (HCV), we studied TCD8 responses in injecting drug users (IDUs) with different disease outcomes. Ex vivo HCV-specific T CD8 responses assessed by interferon-γ (IFNγ) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) were comparable in human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-matched IDUs with spontaneous HCV clearance or persistent infection. A detailed characterization of these TCD8 cells in age and HLA-matched IDUs demonstrated that HCV clearance and protection from reinfection correlated with HCV-specific TCD8 cells that could proliferate in vitro, possessed cytotoxic potential and produced IFNγ and tumour-necrosis factor-α, ..