Detection of Antigen-Specific CD8 + T Cells in the Livers of HCV Core Transgenic Mice

: Hepatitis C virus-mediated immune suppression is an underlying feature leading to the establishment of viral persistence and chronic infection. In particular, HCV core protein has been shown to exhibit significant immunosuppressive activity of T cells and antigen presenting cells. Using an HCV core transgenic mouse system, in which liver hepatocytes express core protein, it is possible to study the effects of core-mediated immune suppression in vivo during viral infection. In this protocol, we describe the procedures for evaluating antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses in response to recombinant adenovirus infection in HCV core transgenic mice.