Approximately 70% of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections become chronic, indicating that the virus is exceptionally well adapted to persist in humans with otherwise normal immune function. Robust, lifelong replication of this small RNA virus does not require a generalized failure of immunity. HCV effectively subverts innate and adaptive host defenses while leaving immunity against other viruses intact. Here, the role of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses in control of HCV infection and their failure to prevent virus persistence in most individuals are reviewed. Two issues of practical importance remain priorities in an era of highly effective antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C. First, the characteristics of successful T-cell responses that promote resolution of HCV infection are considered, as they will underpin development of vaccines that prevent HCV persistence. Second, defects in T-cell immunity that facilitate HCV persistence and whether they are reversed after antiviral cure to provide protection from reinfection are also addressed.

中文翻译：

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针对丙型肝炎病毒的 T 细胞免疫：高效治疗时代的持续研究重点。

大约 70% 的急性丙型肝炎病毒 (HCV) 感染会转为慢性，这表明该病毒非常适合在免疫功能正常的人体中持续存在。这种小 RNA 病毒的稳健、终生复制不需要普遍的免疫失败。HCV 有效地破坏了先天性和适应性宿主防御，同时保持对其他病毒的免疫力完好无损。在此，回顾了 CD4+ 和 CD8+ T 细胞反应在控制 HCV 感染中的作用以及它们在大多数个体中未能阻止病毒持续存在。在对慢性丙型肝炎进行高效抗病毒治疗的时代，两个具有实际重要性的问题仍然是优先事项。首先，考虑促进 HCV 感染消退的成功 T 细胞反应的特征，因为它们将支持预防 HCV 持续存在的疫苗的开发。其次，还讨论了促进 HCV 持续存在的 T 细胞免疫缺陷，以及它们在抗病毒治疗后是否被逆转以提供对再感染的保护。