Hepatitis C virus-specific CD4+ T cell response after liver transplantation occurs early, is multispecific, compartmentalizes to the liver, and does not correlate with recurrent disease

Abstract

The role of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific CD4+ T cells in recurrent HCV infection after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx) is unclear. In parallel, 73 intrahepatic and 73 blood-derived T cell lines were established from 34 patients. At a single cell level, virus-specific interferon (IFN) - γ production to various HCV proteins was determined by ELISPOT assay: 45 (62%) of 73 liver- or blood-derived T cell lines produced IFN-γ in response to one of the HCV antigens. HCV specificity was detected mainly in the liver (47% vs. 23% in the blood; P < .05, χ2 test) and was detectable earlier (6 months) significantly more often than later (>6 months) after OLTx (78% vs 49%; P < .05, χ2 test). Histology, histologic activity index, liver enzymes, and virus load did not correlate with the occurrence of HCV-specific CD4+ T cells. Despite strong immunosuppressive treatment, OLTx recipients can develop an early, multi-specific, preferentially intrahepatic CD4+ T cell response that decreases over time, making it a potential candidate target for novel therapeutic approaches in the transplant setting.