Analysis of a successful immune response against hepatitis C virus

To investigate the type of immunity responsible for resolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, we monitored antibody and intrahepatic cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses during acute (<20 weeks) infection in chimpanz ees. Two animals who terminated infection made strong CTL but poor antibody responses. In both resolvers, CTL targeted at least six viral regions. In contrast, animals developing chronic hepatitis generated weaker acute CTL r esponses. Extensive analysis of the fine specificity of the CTL in one reso lver revealed nine peptide epitopes and restriction by all six MHC class I allotypes. Every specificity shown during acute hepatitis persisted in norm al liver tissue more than 1 yr after resolution. These results suggest that CD8(+)CTL are better correlated with protection against HCV infection than antibodies.