Does successful vaccination induce multifunctional memory T-cell precursors associated with early control of hepatitis C virus?
Compared with infection, vaccination-induced HCV-specific CD127(+) T cells with high functionality that persisted at higher levels for a longer time. Control of viremia prevented up-regulation of PD-1 on T cells and induction of PD-1, PD-L1, and 2,5-OAS-1 in the liver. Early development of a memory T-cell phenotype and, via control of viremia, attenuation of the inhibitory PD1-PD-L1 pathway might be necessary components of successful vaccine-induced protection against HCV.
We conclude that more accurate application of the current recommendations would be advisable to decrease unnecessary testing and prevent avoidable health expenditure.