Circulating Valpha24+Vbeta11+ NKT cell numbers and dendritic cell CD1d expression in hepatitis C virus infected patients.

Abstract

CD1d-restricted natural killer T (NKT) cells are involved in the regulation of various immune responses, and have been shown to inhibit viral replication in animal hepatitis models when activated by the glycolipid alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer, KRN7000). Previous studies have indicated that alpha-GalCer-induced activation of the immune system requires both CD1d expression by antigen-presenting cells as well as (normal) numbers of NKT cells. Discrepancies exist over circulating numbers of human invariant Valpha24+Vbeta11+ NKT cells during hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Here, by cross-sectional analysis and longitudinal analysis of patients undergoing effective combination antiviral therapy, we demonstrate that circulating Valpha24+Vbeta11+ NKT cell numbers are not decreased during active HCV infection. Importantly, as we also show that CD1d is expressed at comparable levels by peripheral blood monocytes and CD1c+ myeloid dendritic cells (DC) of healthy individuals and HCV-infected patients, these data indicate that all ingredients for evaluating the antiviral effects of the Valpha24+Vbeta11+ NKT cell ligand alpha-GalCer in HCV-infected patients are present.

• Authors: Hans J J van der Vliet, Johan W Molling, B Mary E von Blomberg, Wendy Kölgen, Anita G Stam, Tanja D de Gruijl, Chris J Mulder, Harry L A Janssen, Nobusuke Nishi, Alfons J M van den Eertwegh, Rik J Scheper, Carin J M van Nieuwkerk
• Journal: Clinical immunology (Orlando, Fla.) (Clin Immunol) Vol. 114 Issue 2 Pg. 183-9 (Feb 2005) ISSN: 1521-6616 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15639652 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antigens, CD1
• Antigens, CD1d
• Antiviral Agents
• CD1D protein, human
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha
• RNA, Viral
• Recombinant Proteins
• Polyethylene Glycols
• Ribavirin
• peginterferon alfa-2b

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antigens, CD1 (biosynthesis, immunology)
• Antigens, CD1d
• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• Cohort Studies
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Dendritic Cells (immunology, virology)
• Female
• Flow Cytometry
• Hepacivirus (immunology)
• Hepatitis C (drug therapy, immunology, virology)
• Humans
• Immunophenotyping
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha (therapeutic use)
• Killer Cells, Natural (immunology, virology)
• Longitudinal Studies
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polyethylene Glycols
• RNA, Viral (blood)
• Recombinant Proteins
• Ribavirin (therapeutic use)
• T-Lymphocyte Subsets (immunology, virology)