Antigen-specific cytokine response to hepatitis C virus core epitopes in HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Objective: Epidemiological data indicate that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection runs a more rapid and severe course of disease in HIV-coinfected patients, probably because of an altered immune response. Design: We investigated whether HCV-specific cytokine responses are affected by HIV coinfection. Methods: Using triple colour flow cytometry on peripheral blood lymphocytes after stimulation with the four major immunodominant HCV core T cell epitopes, CT1-CT4, we determined intracytoplasmic production of IFN-g, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and CD30 expression, a putative surrogate marker of type 2 cells. Fifteen patients with asymptomatic HIV/HCV coinfection (group A), 15 patients with chronic HCV infection (group B) and 10 HIV-infected patients without hepatitis C (group C) were included in the study. Results: In group A, HCV antigens induced significantly higher IL-2 and IFN-g production than groups B and C (PPP<0.002). Conclusion: Our data suggest that asymptomatic HIV coinfection importantly alters the HCV-specific cytokine response towards a greater production of proinflammatory type 1 cytokines. Moreover, the antiviral activity of type 1 cytokines may be modified by an increased production of type 2 cytokines in the CD30 subset. The altered cytokine pattern may contribute to the adverse natural course of hepatitis C in HIV coinfection.