Hepatitis Group, Indian Council of Medical Research- National Institute of Virology, 130/1, Sus Road, Pashan, Pune, 411021, Maharashtra, India.
Sci Rep. 2019 Mar 11;9(1):4090. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-40603-9.
Generation and persistence of anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies are synonymous with the development of immunity and considered as correlates of protection against HEV infection. However, issues like longevity of immunological memory following recovery from hepatitis E still remains a puzzle. It is critical to understand whether anamnestic response exists for protection from HEV re-infection. The levels and persistence of anti-HEV antibodies were assessed in hepatitis E recovered individuals 1-30 years post HEV infection. The frequencies and functionality of recombinant HEV capsid protein (rORF2p)-stimulated memory B and T cells were also investigated 1-16 years post infection. Anti-HEV antibodies persisted in 91% of hepatitis E recovered individuals. HEV-specific memory B cell responses were detected in 95% of seropositive hepatitis E recovered individuals. CD4 and CD8 T cells displayed an effector memory cell phenotype in hepatitis E recovered individuals. In conclusion, long-lived anti-HEV antibodies and HEV-specific memory B cells are maintained for several years in hepatitis E recovered individuals. Involvement of CD4 and CD8 effector memory T cells is an important observation since it is inextricably linked to long-lasting protective immunity. In addition to anti-HEV antibodies, possible role of memory B cell response against HEV re-infection could also be considered.
抗戊型肝炎病毒（HEV）抗体的产生和持续存在与免疫的发展是同义词，被认为是对 HEV 感染的保护相关因素。然而，从戊型肝炎中恢复后免疫记忆的持久性等问题仍然是一个谜。了解是否存在针对 HEV 再感染的记忆反应至关重要。本研究评估了 HEV 感染后 1-30 年 HEV 恢复个体的抗 HEV 抗体水平和持久性。还在感染后 1-16 年调查了重组 HEV 衣壳蛋白（rORF2p）刺激的记忆 B 和 T 细胞的频率和功能。91%的 HEV 恢复个体中持续存在抗 HEV 抗体。在 95%的血清阳性 HEV 恢复个体中检测到 HEV 特异性记忆 B 细胞反应。HEV 恢复个体的 CD4 和 CD8 T 细胞显示出效应记忆细胞表型。总之，在 HEV 恢复个体中，抗 HEV 抗体和 HEV 特异性记忆 B 细胞可维持数年。CD4 和 CD8 效应记忆 T 细胞的参与是一个重要的观察结果，因为它与持久的保护性免疫密不可分。除了抗 HEV 抗体外，针对 HEV 再感染的记忆 B 细胞反应的可能作用也可以考虑。
