The kinetics of hepatitis C virus-specific CD8 T-cell responses in the blood mirror those in the liver in acute hepatitis C virus infection.

Peripheral blood T-cell responses are used as biomarkers in hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine trials. However, it is not clear how T-cell responses in the blood correlate with those in the liver, the infection site. By studying serial liver and blood samples of five vaccinated and five mock-vaccinated control chimpanzees during acute HCV infection, we demonstrate a correlation between HCV-specific CD8 T-cell responses in the blood and molecular and functional markers of T-cell responses in the liver. Thus, HCV-specific CD8 T-cell responses in the blood are valid markers for intrahepatic T-cell activity.