PD-1 expression in acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with HCV-specific CD8 exhaustion
Simona Urbani, Barbara Amadei, Daniela Tola, Marco Massari, Simona Schivazappa, Gabriele Missale, Carlo Ferrari, Simona Urbani, Barbara Amadei, Daniela Tola, Marco Massari, Simona Schivazappa, Gabriele Missale, Carlo Ferrari
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific CD8 cell exhaustion may represent a mechanism of HCV persistence. The inhibitory receptor PD-1 has been reported to be up-regulated in exhausted CD8 cells. Therefore, we studied PD-1 expression longitudinally during acute HCV infection. Most HCV-specific CD8 cells expressed PD-1 at the time of acute illness, irrespective of the final outcome. PD-1 expression declined with the acquisition of a memory phenotype and recovery of an efficient CD8 cell function in resolving HCV infections, whereas high levels were maintained when HCV persisted and HCV-specific CD8 cells remained dysfunctional. Blocking PD-1/PDL-1 interaction with an anti-PDL-1 antibody improved the capacity of expansion of virus-specific CD8 cells.
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Source: PubMed