Inhibition of Natural Killer Cells through Engagement of CD81 by the Major Hepatitis C Virus Envelope Protein.
Crotta, Stefania 1; Stilla, Annalisa 1; Wack, Andreas 1; D'Andrea, Annalisa 1; Nuti, Sandra 1; D'Oro, Ugo 1; Mosca, Marta 2; Filliponi, Franco 2; Brunetto, Maurizia R. 2; Bonino, Ferruccio 2; Abrignani, Sergio 1; Valiante, Nicholas M. 1
[Article] Journal of Experimental Medicine. 195(1):35-42, January 7, 2002.

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The immune response against hepatitis C virus (HCV) is rarely effective at clearing the virus, resulting in ~170 million chronic HCV infections worldwide. Here we report that ligation of an HCV receptor (CD81) inhibits natural killer (NK) cells. Cross-linking of CD81 by the major envelope protein of HCV (HCV-E2) or anti-CD81 antibodies blocks NK cell activation, cytokine production, cytotoxic granule release, and proliferation. This inhibitory effect was observed using both activated and resting NK cells. Conversely, on NK-like T cell clones, including those expressing NK cell inhibitory receptors, CD81 ligation delivered a costimulatory signal. Engagement of CD81 on NK cells blocks tyrosine phosphorylation through a mechanism which is distinct from the negative signaling pathways associated with NK cell inhibitory receptors for major histocompatibility complex class I. These results implicate HCV-E2-mediated inhibition of NK cells as an efficient HCV evasion strategy targeting the early antiviral activities of NK cells and allowing the virus to establish itself as a chronic infection.

Copyright (C) 2002, The Rockefeller University Press