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

The role of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific CD4(+) T cells in recurrent HC V infection after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx) is unclear. In pa rallel, 73 intrahepatic and 73 blood-derived T cell lines were established from 34 patients. At a single cell level, virus-specific interferon (IFN)-g amma production to various HCV proteins was determined by ELISPOT assay: 45 (62%) of 73 liver- or blood-derived T cell lines produced IFN-g in respons e to one of the HCV antigens. HCV specificity was detected mainly in the li ver (47% vs. 23% in the blood; P < .05, <chi>(2) test) and was detectable e arlier (less than or equal to6 months) significantly more often than later (>6 months) months) after OLTx (78% vs 49%; P < .05, <chi>(2) test). Histol ogy, histologic activity index, liver enzymes, and virus load did not corre late with the occurrence of HCV-specific CD4(+) T cells. Despite strong imm unosuppressive treatment, OLTx recipients can develop an early, multispecif ic, preferentially intrahepatic CD4(+) T cell response that decreases over time, making it a potential candidate target for novel therapeutic approach es in the transplant setting.