Progress in the study of hepatitis C virus infections

A publication from the HPI research department “Virus Immunology” in the renowned journal “Gastroenterology” provides new insights into hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. First author and HPI postdoc Dr. Sebastian Lunemann summarizes in a short interview the main facts of the publication:

What is the publication about?

Quite roughly, the question is how Natural Killer (NK) cells are able to recognize cells infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), kill them and inhibit viral replication. 

What are the key results?

We have shown in cell culture, mouse models and human samples that infection with HCV leads to increased expression of HLA-F. This increased expression of HLA-F activates NK cells via the activating NK cell receptor KIR3DS1 and leads to improved control of HCV infection in individuals who are positive for KIR3DS1.

Publication:

Lunemann S, Schöbel A, Kah J, Fittje P, Hölzemer A, Langeneckert AE, Hess L, Poch T, Martrus G, Garcia-Beltran WF, Körner C, Ziegler AR, Richert L, Oldhafer KJ, Schulze Zur Wiesch J, Schramm C, Dandri M, Herker E, Altfeld M (2018). Interactions Between KIR3DS1 and HLA-F Activate Natural Killer Cells to Control HCV Replication in Cell Culture. Gastroenterology. 2018 Jul 19.