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. 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. 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. 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.
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. 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. 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. 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.
Authors: Melissa A Sheiko; Lucy Golden-Mason; Silvia Giugliano; Christine Waasdorp Hurtado; Cara L Mack; Michael R Narkewicz; Hugo R Rosen Journal: J Pediatr Date: 2015-12-30 Impact factor: 4.406
Authors: Silvia Della Bella; Andrea Crosignani; Antonio Riva; Pietro Presicce; Alberto Benetti; Renato Longhi; Mauro Podda; Maria L Villa Journal: Immunology Date: 2007-06 Impact factor: 7.397
Authors: Samer S El-Kamary; Mohamed Hashem; Doaa A Saleh; Sayed F Abdelwahab; Maha Sobhy; Fatma M Shebl; Michelle D Shardell; G Thomas Strickland; Mohamed Tarek Shata Journal: J Pediatr Date: 2012-08-09 Impact factor: 4.406