Publikation

Antiviral treatment of recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after liver transplantation: association of a strong, multispecific, and long-lasting CD4+ T cell response with HCV-elimination

Wissenschaftlicher Artikel/Review - 01.09.2003

Bereiche
PubMed

Zitation
Schirren C, Pape G, Nitschko H, Rau H, Schraut W, Baretton G, Diepolder H, Gruener N, Ulsenheimer A, Gerlach T, Zachoval R, Jung M. Antiviral treatment of recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after liver transplantation: association of a strong, multispecific, and long-lasting CD4+ T cell response with HCV-elimination. Journal of hepatology 2003; 39:397-404.
Art
Wissenschaftlicher Artikel/Review (Englisch)
Zeitschrift
Journal of hepatology 2003; 39
Veröffentlichungsdatum
01.09.2003
ISSN (Druck)
0168-8278
Seiten
397-404
Kurzbeschreibung/Zielsetzung

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infection after liver transplantation (OLTx) could develop an early, multispecific, preferentially intrahepatic CD4+ T cell response. We asked now whether there is a correlation between the HCV-specific CD4+ T cell response and treatment outcome in patients who receive interferon (IFN)-alpha/ribavirin. METHODS: Liver- and blood-derived T cell lines of 20 patients were studied in parallel before, under, at the end and after antiviral treatment. Virus-specific IFN-gamma production at a single cell level to HCV-proteins (core, non-structural protein (NS)3/4, NS5) was determined by enzyme-linked immunospot assay. RESULTS: In 6/7 non-responders a weak HCV-specific CD4+ T cell response was detectable. All six sustained responders developed a strong, at NS3/4 and NS5 directed and long-lasting CD4+ T cell response which was mainly detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This reaction was significantly stronger: (1) in the responders than in the non-responders; and (2) within the responders at the end of treatment than before (P<0.03). Seven transient-responders showed a weak and/or transient HCV-specific CD4+ T cell response. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with recurrent HCV-infection after OLTx, who receive antiviral treatment, a strong, at NS3/4 and NS5 directed and long-lasting CD4+ T cell response is associated with HCV-elimination whereas no or a weak/transient response is associated with treatment failure.