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MacParland SA, Fadel SM, Mihajlovic V, Fawaz A, Kim C, Rahman AKMNU, Liu J, Kaul R, Kovacs C, Grebely J, Dore GJ, Wong DK, Ostrowski MA. HCV Specific IL-21 Producing T Cells but Not IL-17A Producing T Cells Are Associated with HCV Viral Control in HIV/HCV Coinfection. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154433. [PMID: 27124305 PMCID: PMC4849786 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Decreased hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance, faster cirrhosis progression and higher HCV RNA levels are associated with Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection. The CD4+ T helper cytokines interleukin (IL)-21 and IL-17A are associated with virus control and inflammation, respectively, both important in HCV and HIV disease progression. Here, we examined how antigen-specific production of these cytokines during HCV mono and HIV/HCV coinfection was associated with HCV virus control. METHODS We measured HCV-specific IL-21 and IL-17A production by transwell cytokine secretion assay in PBMCs from monoinfected and coinfected individuals. Viral control was determined by plasma HCV RNA levels. RESULTS In acutely infected individuals, those able to establish transient/complete HCV viral control tended to have stronger HCV-specific IL-21-production than non-controllers. HCV-specific IL-21 production also correlated with HCV viral decline in acute infection. Significantly stronger HCV-specific IL-21 production was detected in HAART-treated coinfected individuals. HCV-specific IL-17A production was not associated with lower plasma HCV RNA levels in acute or chronic HCV infection and responses were stronger in HIV coinfection. HCV-specific IL-21/ IL-17A responses did not correlate with microbial translocation or fibrosis. Exogenous IL-21 treatment of HCV-specific CD8+ T cells from monoinfected individuals enhanced their function although CD8+ T cells from coinfected individuals were somewhat refractory to the effects of IL-21. CONCLUSIONS These data show that HCV-specific IL-21 and IL-17A-producing T cells are induced in HIV/HCV coinfection. In early HIV/HCV coinfection, IL-21 may contribute to viral control, and may represent a novel tool to enhance acute HCV clearance in HIV/HCV coinfected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonya A. MacParland
- Departments of Immunology and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Saleh M. Fadel
- Departments of Immunology and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vesna Mihajlovic
- Departments of Immunology and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ali Fawaz
- Departments of Immunology and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Connie Kim
- Departments of Immunology and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Jun Liu
- Departments of Immunology and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rupert Kaul
- Departments of Immunology and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | - Mario A. Ostrowski
- Departments of Immunology and Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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