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Characterization of the specific CD4+ T cell response against the F protein during chronic hepatitis C virus infection
Authors:Gao De-Yong  Jin Gen-Di  Yao Bi-Lian  Zhang Dong-Hua  Gu Lei-Lei  Lu Zhi-Meng  Gong Qiming  Lone Yu-Chun  Deng Qiang  Zhang Xin-Xin
Affiliation:Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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.
Keywords:
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