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- Title
Characterization of the Specific CD4<sup>+</sup> T Cell Response against the F Protein during Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection.
- Authors
De-Yong Gao; Gen-Di Jin; Bi-Lian Yao; Dong-Hua Zhang; Lei-Lei Gu; Zhi-Meng Lu; Qiming Gong; Yu-Chun Lone; Qiang Deng; Xin-Xin Zhang
- 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.
- Publication
PLoS ONE, 2010, Vol 5, Issue 12, p1
- ISSN
1932-6203
- Publication type
Academic Journal
- DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0014237