Cellular and humoral immune reactions against autoantigens and hepatitis C viral antigens in chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Previous reports have suggested that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) may induce autoimmune hepatitis. The aim of this study was to examine this hypothesis by investigating humoral and cellular immune responses to HCV-related antigens and various autoantigens in patients with chronic HCV infections.

METHODS

Lymphoproliferative responses in vitro and/or circulating antibodies to an HCV core peptide, the putative autoantigen GOR, the liver-specific hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R), and other autoantigens were investigated in 27 adults with chronic hepatitis C.

RESULTS

Five patients with HCV (18.5%) showed cellular immune responses to ASGP-R and two others had antibodies to ASGP-R, whereas 6 of 14 patients (42.8%) showed cellular responses to GOR and 7 of 14 patients (50%) showed responses to HCV core. Other autoantibodies were detected in three patients (11%). Nine patients with autoimmune hepatitis studied concurrently for comparison showed cellular and/or humoral responses to ASGP-R but not to GOR. Only 2 of 11 patients with other chronic liver disorders showed immune responses to any antigen tested.

CONCLUSIONS

Specific immunocompetence against HCV-related antigens can often be shown in patients with chronic hepatitis C but is infrequently accompanied by autoreactions against liver-specific or nonspecific antigens. A reported association between T-cell responses to HCV core and lack of liver damage could not be confirmed.