Elevated numbers of FcγRIIIA+ (CD16+) effector CD8 T cells with NK cell-like function in chronic hepatitis C virus infection

CTL are crucial in the defense against viral infections. In the course of investigating peripheral blood and intrahepatic CD8 T cells in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, we observed a significant population of CD8 T cells expressing the Fc gamma RIIIA (CD16) receptor. This observation led us to characterize these cells with respect to their phenotype and function in a cohort of patients with chronic HCV infection as well as in healthy blood donors. On average, 10% of peripheral blood CD8 T cells from HCV-infected patients expressed CD16 compared with only a few percent in healthy donors. CD16(+) CD8 T cells displayed a late-stage effector phenotype with high levels of perforin. These cells exhibited a restricted TCR profile suggesting underlying clonal expansion. Stimulation of CD16 on CD8 T cells evoked a vigorous response similar to that of CD16 stimulation in NK cells. Our data suggest that CIA T cells, during chronic HCV infection in humans, continue to differentiate beyond defined stages of terminal effector cells, acquiring CD16 and NK cell-like functional properties.