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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 183-189 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Clinical Immunology |
Volume | 114 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Feb 2005 |
Keywords
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antigens, CD1/biosynthesis
- Antigens, CD1d
- Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use
- Cohort Studies
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Dendritic Cells/immunology
- Female
- Flow Cytometry
- Hepacivirus/immunology
- Hepatitis C/drug therapy
- Humans
- Immunophenotyping
- Interferon-alpha/therapeutic use
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Longitudinal Studies
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Polyethylene Glycols
- RNA, Viral/blood
- Recombinant Proteins
- Ribavirin/therapeutic use
- T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology