Activation of Natural Killer Cells by Hepatitis C Virus particles in vitro

Background/Aims: Little is known how the hepatitis C virus alters early innate immune response in infected patients. Previous studies have shown that Natural Killer (NK) cells are functionally impaired after interaction of recombinant HCV glycoprotein E2 with CD81 in vitro. However, the functional consequences of a prolonged contact of NK cells with HCV particles have remained unclear. Methods: We have examined the expression profile of various NK surface receptors of purified IL-2-activated NK cells. These cells were isolated from healthy donors and HCV infected patients (genotype 1b) and cultured for 5 days wi…