Peripheral blood memory B cells are resistant to apoptosis in chronic hepatitis C patients.

Abstract Our recent study indicated that peripheral B cells in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients were infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). It was also demonstrated that the frequency of CD27 + B cells, i.e. memory phenotype, was significantly reduced in the peripheral blood of CHC patients. An assumption was made by these findings that the CD27 + B cells are susceptible to apoptosis when infected with HCV. Therefore, in this study, the susceptibility of CD27 + B cells to apoptosis in CHC patients was analyzed. Contrary to our assumption, it was found that CD27 + B cells are more resistant to apoptosis than the counterpart subset, i.e. CD27 − B cells. The rationale for this finding is discussed with regard to the possible role for memory B cells as an HCV reservoir for persistent infection in CHC patients.