 |
Journal articles
Characterization of the specific CD4+ T cell response against the F protein during chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
Abstract : BACKGROUND: The hepatitis C virus (HCV) Alternate Reading Frame Protein (ARFP or F protein) presents a double-frame shift product of the HCV core gene. We and others have previously reported that the specific antibodies against the F protein could be raised in the sera of HCV chronically infected patients. However, the specific CD4(+) T cell responses against the F protein during HCV infection and the pathological implications remained unclear. In the current study, we screened the MHC class II-presenting epitopes of the F protein through HLA-transgenic mouse models and eventually validated the specific CD4(+) T cell responses in HCV chronically infected patients. METHODOLOGY: DNA vaccination in HLA-DR1 and-DP4 transgenic mouse models, proliferation assay to test the F protein specific T cell response, genotyping of Chronic HCV patients and testing the F-peptide stimulated T cell response in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) by in vitro expansion and interferon (IFN)- γ intracellular staining. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: At least three peptides within HCV F protein were identified as HLA-DR or HLA-DP4 presenting epitopes by the proliferation assays in mouse models. Further study with human PBMCs evidenced the specific CD4(+) T cell responses against HCV F protein as well in patients chronically infected with HCV. CONCLUSION: The current study provided the evidence for the first time that HCV F protein could elicit specific CD4(+) T cell response, which may provide an insight into the immunopathogenesis during HCV chronic infection.
Cited literature [33 references]
https://hal-riip.archives-ouvertes.fr/pasteur-00625181
Contributor : Xiaojing Lin Connect in order to contact the contributor
Submitted on : Wednesday, September 21, 2011 - 8:47:24 AM
Last modification on : Wednesday, October 14, 2020 - 3:58:56 AM
Long-term archiving on: : Monday, December 5, 2016 - 12:49:39 AM
Contributor : Xiaojing Lin Connect in order to contact the contributor
Submitted on : Wednesday, September 21, 2011 - 8:47:24 AM
Last modification on : Wednesday, October 14, 2020 - 3:58:56 AM
Long-term archiving on: : Monday, December 5, 2016 - 12:49:39 AM
File
PLoS_One-QDeng-2010.pdf
Publisher files allowed on an open archive