BOR-LUEN CHIANGPEI-MING YANGHwang L.-H.Wang J.-M.Kao S.-F.Pan C.-H.Chi W.-K.PEI-JER CHENDING-SHINN CHEN2021-04-222021-04-2219981021-7770https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84984585951&doi=10.1007%2fBF02255861&partnerID=40&md5=c507d405618e6b754b8c6270c4dbb491https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/557541Our previous study showed dominant proliferative response of peripheral mononuclear cells to hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural (NS-3) (T9, from aa 1188 to 1493) in chronically infected patients. Six T9-specific T-cell clones derived in an HCV patient were established and studied for the antigen specificity and the ability of augmentation of in vitro antibody production. All these cloned T-cell lines responded exclusively to T9 antigen and could help autologous B cells in producing anti-T9 antibody in vitro. Cytokine mRNAs of these T cells was detected by polymerase chain reaction and predominant IL-2 and IFN-γ production was noted. In addition, further elucidation of T-cell antigenic determinant and MHC restriction suggested that these T-cell clones recognized at least two different T-cell antigenic determinants within the NS-3 region in an HLA DQ2-restricted manner. We believe characterization of HCV-specific T-cell responses, especially T-cell epitope mapping and cytokine production pattern, may shed light on further understanding the pathogenic mechanism and designing therapy for HCV infection.[SDGs]SDG3adult; antigenicity; article; case report; cellular immunity; chronic hepatitis; hepatitis C; Hepatitis C virus; human; male; pathogenesis; priority journal; T lymphocytejournal article10.1007/BF022558612-s2.0-84984585951