Interferon‐α Treatment Induces Delayed CD4 Proliferative Responses to the Hepatitis C Virus Nonstructural Protein 3 Regardless of the Outcome of Therapy

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Abstract
The proliferative responses to a hepatitis C virus (HCV) recombinant nonstructural protein 3 (rNS3) were analyzed in 9 patients with chronic HCV infection before, during, and after 24 weeks of treatment with interferon-α (IFN-α) alone or in combination with ribavirin. Regardless of the therapy and the subsequent outcome, all patients showed an increased rNS3-specific proliferative response in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro within 48 weeks from the start of therapy (P < .01). The proliferating cell phenotype was CD4 and was dependent on HLA-DP/DQ/DR class II antigen presentation. rNS3 induced in vitro detectable interleukin (IL)-2, IL-10, and IFN-γ production in some patients before or after therapy (or both). No significant differences existed between responders and relapsed responders plus nonresponders with respect to the NS3-specific CD4 T helper (Th) cell responses. Thus, IFN-a therapy induces HCV NS3-specific CD4 Th cell proliferation regardless of the outcome of therapy.

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