Comparative analysis of CD1 d-restricted natural killer T cells in people who inject drugs with chronic or spontaneously resolved hepatitis C

Background: Natural killer T (NKT) cells represent a subset of immune cells that share characteristics of innate and adaptive immunity. Invariant NKT cells recognize glycolipid antigens such as α galactosylceramide (αGalCer) presented by the non classical MHC molecule CD1 d. Decreased NKT cell frequencies have been reported in chronically HCV infected patients, however, contradicting reports exist. We therefore aimed to comparatively study NKT cell frequencies and function in people with chronic and spontaneously resolved HCV infection. Methods: CD1 d-restricted NKT (CD1 d NKT) cells of chronically HCV infected…