Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) response in humans: characterization of HLA class II-restricted CTLs that recognize endogenously synthesized HBV envelope antigens.

AUTOR(ES)

Penna, A

RESUMO

In this study, we show that CD4+, hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope-specific T-cell clones produced by stimulation with a particulate antigen preparation are able to recognize and kill not only autologous antigen-presenting cells incubated with exogenous HBV envelope antigens but also autologous HLA class II-positive cells expressing endogenously synthesized HBV envelope antigens following infection with recombinant vaccinia viruses or transfection with recombinant Epstein-Barr virus expression vectors. Experiments with lysosomotropic agents and brefeldin A suggest that the endosomal compartment is likely involved in the processing of endogenously synthesized viral proteins for recognition by CD4+ T cells. Our study indicates that HBV envelope-specific, HLA class II-restricted CD4+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes can potentially participate in the immune clearance of HBV-infected cells and the pathogenesis of hepatocellular injury in hepatitis B.

Documentos Relacionados

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific cytotoxic T-cell response in humans: production of target cells by stable expression of HBV-encoded proteins in immortalized human B-cell lines.
• HLA class I-restricted human cytotoxic T cells recognize endogenously synthesized hepatitis B virus nucleocapsid antigen.
• HLA class II-restricted presentation of cytoplasmic measles virus antigens to cytotoxic T cells.
• Class II-restricted presentation of an endogenously derived immunodominant T-cell determinant of hen egg lysozyme.
• Mapping of multiple HLA class II-restricted T-cell epitopes of the mycobacterial 70-kilodalton heat shock protein.