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Of chimps and men–finding the path to an HCV vaccine
Author(s) -
Diepolder Helmut M.,
Gruener Norbert H.,
Heeney Jonathan
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.488
H-Index - 361
eISSN - 1527-3350
pISSN - 0270-9139
DOI - 10.1002/hep.510370634
Subject(s) - viremia , immunology , virology , titer , medicine , cytokine , hepatitis c virus , virus , viral load
To define the early events that determine the outcome of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, we compared the course of viremia with the peripheral and intrahepatic T cell response and intrahepatic cytokine profile in six acutely infected chimpanzees. Three different outcomes were observed after peak viral titers were reached: sustained viral clearance, transient viral clearance followed by chronic infection, and chronic infection that persisted at initial peak titers. The results indicate that HCV spread outpaces the T cell response and that HCV rapidly induces but is not controlled by IFN‐α/β; that viral clearance follows the entry and accumulation of HCV‐specific IFN‐gamma‐producing T cells in the liver; and that it may not require the destruction of infected cells.