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Hepatitis C virus-specific reactivity of CD4+-lymphocytes in children born from HCV-infected women.
- Source :
-
Journal of hepatology [J Hepatol] 2005 Sep; Vol. 43 (3), pp. 394-402. - Publication Year :
- 2005
-
Abstract
- Background/aims: T-lymphocyte reactivity against viral antigens may represent the only immunological marker of host contact with a virus. Aim of the present study was to investigate whether vertical exposure to hepatitis C virus (HCV) could activate HCV-specific T-cell responses that may represent a biomarker of previous contact with the virus, and possibly contribute to the low rate of vertical HCV transmission.<br />Methods: We studied 28 children born from chronically HCV-infected mothers. HCV-specific activation and proliferation of CD4+-lymphocytes and cytokine production were evaluated in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated in vitro with HCV-peptides.<br />Results: HCV-specific CD4+-cell reactivity was observed in 20 out of the 28 children (71%). The proliferation of HCV-specific CD4+-cells was more frequent and vigorous in children than in their mothers. In children, but not in the mothers, activation of CD4+-cells upon stimulation with HCV-peptides was directly correlated with proliferation. Early upon stimulation with HCV-peptides, lymphocytes from children produced lower levels of IL-10 than lymphocytes from the mothers.<br />Conclusions: Vertical exposure to HCV induces the development of viral-specific CD4+-cell-mediated immune responses, possibly endowed with protective function against infection, which may contribute to the low rate of vertical HCV transmission.
- Subjects :
- Child
Cytokines immunology
Female
Flow Cytometry
Hepatitis C Antibodies blood
Humans
Lymphocyte Activation
Peptide Fragments isolation & purification
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious immunology
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious virology
Viral Proteins isolation & purification
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes virology
Hepacivirus immunology
Hepatitis C, Chronic immunology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0168-8278
- Volume :
- 43
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of hepatology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 16023248
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2005.03.022