Effect of viral load on T-lymphocyte failure in patients with chronic hepatitis B

AIM： To investigate peripheral T-lymphocyte sub-population profile and its correlation with hepatitis B virus （HBV） replication in patients with chronic hepatitis B （CHB）.METHODS： Distribution of T-lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood was measured by flow cytometry in 206 CHB patients. HBV markers were detected with ELISA. Serum HBV DNA load was assessed with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR）. The relationship between HBV replication and variation in peripheral T-cell subsets was analyzed.RESULTS： CHB patients had significantly decreased CD3^＋ and CD4^＋ cells and CD4^＋/CD8^＋ ratio, and increased CD8^＋ cells compared with uninfected controls （55.44 ± 12.39 vs 71.07 ± 4.76, 30.92 ± 7.48 vs 38.94 ± 3.39, 1.01 ± 0.49 vs 1.67 ± 0.33, and 34.39 ± 9.22 vs 24.02 ± 4.35; P 〈 0.001, respectively）. Univariate analysis showed a similar pattern of these parameters was significantly associated with high viral load, presence of serum hepatitis B e antigen （HBeAg） expression, liver disease severity, history of maternal HBV infection, and young age at HBV infection, all with P 〈 0.01. There was a significant linear relationship between viral load and these parameters of T-lymphocyte subpopulations （linear trend test P 〈 0.001）. There was a negative correlation between the levels of CD3＋ and CD4＋ cells and CD4^＋/CD8^＋ ratio and serum level of viral load in CHB patients （r = -0.68, -0.65 and -0.75, all P 〈 0.0001）, and a positive correlation between CD8^＋ cells and viral load （r = 0.70, P 〈 0.0001）. There was a significant decreasing trend in CD3^＋ and CD4^＋ cells and CD4^＋/CD8^＋ ratio with increasing severity of hepatocyte damage and decreasing age at HBV infection （linear trend test P 〈 0.01）. In multiple regression （after adjustment for age at HBV infection, maternal HBV infection status and hepatocyte damage severity） log copies of HBV DNA maintained a highly significant predictive coefficient on T-lymphoc     

HBV特异性抗原对HBV携带者T淋巴细胞免疫功能的影响

目的 通过分析不同类型HBV携带者外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs)的细胞免疫功能,分析HBV抗原对其的影响,探索HBV慢性感染的机制并寻求可能的免疫治疗方法.方法 用不同的抗原和(或)细胞因子刺激培养的无症状HBV携带者PBMCs,酶联免疫吸附法检测细胞培养上清液中不同细胞因子的水平;流式细胞术检测PBMCs的细胞表型.对数据进行t检验分析和相关性分析.结果 HBsAg刺激无症状HBV携带者PBMCs后产生的干扰素(IFN)γ为(48.3±19.8)Pg/ml,较健康对照人群低[(196.2±104.3)Pg/ml(t=3.023,P＜0.05)].HBsAg和HBcAg刺激HBeAg阳性患者PBMCs分泌的IFN y水平分别为(50.4±51.6)Pg/ml和(63.2±36.9)pg/ml,明显低于HBeAg阴性组[(86.2±42.3)Pg/ml和(101.4±32.5)pg/ml],t值分别为2.468和3.184,P值均＜0.05;HBeAg阳性患者组分泌白细胞介素(IL)-12 P70明显低于HBeAg阴性组(P＜0.05);补偿外源性IL-12可明显促进HBV携带者PBMCs分泌IFN γ(P＜0.01),IL-12协同HBV抗原可激活CD8+CD45RA+CCR7及CD8+CD45RA CD62L+细胞.结论 HBeAg阳性患者PBMCs分泌IL-12减少,这可能是HBV携带者持续感染的重要原因;外源性IL-12可促进HBV携带者PBMCs中的中枢记忆性T淋巴细胞的免疫功能.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the effect of HBV antigens and pathological mechanism of chronic HBV infection by analyzing the cellular immune function of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from HBsAg carriers. Methods PBMCs were prepared from individuals with chronic asymptomatic HBV infection and cultured in the presence of different antigens and/or cytokines. The levels of cytokines in culture supernatants were detected by ELISA method. The phenotype of the cells was detected by FACS.Results The levels of IFN γ secreted by PBMCs from HBsAg carriers were (48.3 ± 19.8) pg/ml, significantly lower than that from healthy controls (t = 3.023, P ＜ 0.05＝; The IFN γ produced by PBMCs from HBeAg positive patients due to HBsAg and HBcAg stimulation were (50.4±51.6) pg/ml and (63.2 ± 36.9)pg/ml, significantly lower than that of HBeAg negative patients (t = 2.468 and 3.184, P ＜ 0.05, respectively＝.The IL-12p70 secreted by PBMCs from HBeAg positive patients was also significantly lower than that of HBeAg negative patients (P ＜ 0.05＝; Exogenous IL-12 promoted significantly PBMCs to secrete IFN γ (P ＜0.01＝ and IL-12 combined with HBV antigens activated CD8+CD45RA+CCR7+ and CD8+CD45RA-CD62L+cells. Conclusion IL-12 secreted by PBMCs decreased in HBeAg positive patients, which may be the crucial reason of viral persistence in chronic HBV carriers. Exogenous IL-12 combined with specific HBV antigen could promote the central memory CD8+ T cells to produce IFN γ.     

Parallel decline of CD8＋CD38＋ lymphocytes and viremia in treated hepatitis B patients

AIM:To assess the peripheral T lymphocyte subsets in chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection,and their dynamics in response to adefovir dipivoxil monotherapy.METHODS:Proportions and absolute counts of peripheral natural killer cells,B cells,CD8+,CD4+,CD8+ CD38+,CD8+CD28+ and CD4+CD28+ T cells were determined using three-color flow cytometry in chronic hepatitis B patients(n = 35),HBV carriers(n = 25) and healthy controls(n = 35).Adefovir dipivoxil was initiated in 17 chronic hepatitis B patients who were r...     

乙型肝炎病毒感染临床转归与宿主细胞免疫的相关性研究

目的 比较慢性乙型肝炎患者、HBV携带者、HBV既往无症状感染者之间T细胞亚群和HBV特异性CD4+ T细胞应答强度的差异,分析宿主的细胞免疫状态对HBV感染后临床转归的影响,探讨乙型肝炎的发病机制,为慢性乙型肝炎的治疗提供新的线索.方法 选取2004年2-10月在北京协和医院肝炎门诊就诊的慢性乙型肝炎患者30例、HBV携带者22例、HBV既往无症状感染者9例以及正常对照11例,使用流式细胞仪检测其T细胞亚群,使用酶联免疫斑点法检测病毒特异性CD4+T细胞应答强度,分析其差异及临床意义.结果 慢性乙型肝炎组CD4+T细胞计数显著低于HBV既往无症状感染组和正常对照组;慢性乙型肝炎组、HBV携带者组、HBV既往无症状感染组病毒特异性CD4+ T细胞应答强度分别为(156±105)、(56±68)、(229±114)SFC/106PBMC(每106个外周血单个核细胞中斑点形成细胞的个数);慢性乙型肝炎组明显高于HBV携带者组(P＜0.01),而低于HBV既往无症状感染组(P＜0.05).结论 慢性乙型肝炎患者、HBV携带者、HBV既往无症状感染者病毒特异性T细胞应答强度存在差异,这种差异可能是造成HBV感染后不同临床转归的主要因素之一.     

恩替卡韦治疗后慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血T淋巴细胞表面程序性死亡受体1表达与HBeAg血清学转换的关系

目的 动态观察慢性乙型肝炎患者恩替卡韦抗病毒治疗后不同时期外周血T淋巴细胞(简称T细胞)表面程序性死亡受体1(PD-1)表达的变化,并探讨其与HBeAg血清学转换间的关系.方法 对20例HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者予以恩替卡韦抗病毒治疗并随访51周,根据HBeAg是否发生血清学转换分为:HBeAg未转换组(14例),HBeAg转换组(6例).分别于治疗前(基线,T0)、治疗2～4周(T1)、治疗5～10周(T2)、治疗11～20周(T3)、治疗21～30周(T4)、治疗31～51周(T5)收集外周血,流式细胞术检测CD4+、CD8+T细胞表面PD-1的表达水平,实时荧光定量PCR检测血清HBV DNA载量,同时检测血清ALT水平.正态分布资料采用独立样本t检验,非正态分布者采用Mann-Whitney U检验比较组间差异,相关性分析采用Pearson相关分析.结果 治疗前两组患者血清HBV DNA载量分别为(7.54±0.67)log10拷贝/ml、(7.30±0.79)log10拷贝/ml(P＞0.05),ALT水平为(187.26±184.15)U/L、(272.17±215.07)U/L(P＞0.05),外周血CD4+T细胞表面PD-1表达水平为6.04%±3.71%6.77%±2.88%(P＞0.05),CD8+T细胞表面PD-1表达水平为6.39%±3.33%、8.88%±2.84%(P＞0.05).恩替卡韦抗病毒治疗后两组患者血清HBV DNA载量、ALT水平的下降与CD4+、CD8+T细胞表面PD-1表达的下调呈显著正相关(r=0.212,P=0.05;r=0.377,P＜0.01;r=0.279,P＜0.05;r=0.347,P＜0.01).在相同的随访时间段内,HBeAg转换组血清HBV DNA载量、ALT水平及外周血CD4+、CD8+T细胞表面PD-1表达的下降率均高于HBeAg未转换组,且两组间△ T0～T1、△T0～T2期HBV DNA的下降率及△T0～T2、△T0～T3期CD8+T细胞表面PD-1表达的下降率差异有统计学意义(分别为49.9%对比37.3%,56.7%对比47.4%,70.1%对比-4.2%,66.9%对比24.5%,P值均＜0.05).结论 HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者经恩替卡韦抗病毒治疗后,外周血CD8+T细胞表面PD-1表达的快速下调与血清HBV DNA相似,可作为预测后期HBeAg血清学转换的指标之一.

Abstract：

Objective To observe longitudinally the expression of Programmed death 1 (PD-1) on peripheral blood T cells in chronic hepatitis B patients underwent antiviral treatment with entecavir (ETV)and to explore the relationship between PD-1 expression and HBeAg seroconversion.Methods Twenty HBeAg positive patients underwent antiviral treatment with ETV were followed up for 51 weels.14 patients remained HBeAg positive and 6 patients achieved HBeAg seroconversion.Peripheral blood was collected at six time points:T0:baseline,T1:2-4week;T2:5-10week;T3:11-20week;T4:21-30week:T5:31-51week.PD-1 expressions on T cells were assessed by flow cytometry.Serum HBV DNA loads were determined by real-time fluorescent quanttative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serum ALT levels were examined at the same time.Results At baseline,serum HBV DNA load of patients without HBeAg seroconversion and with HBeAg seroconversion were (7.54 ± 0.67) log10 copies/ml and (7.30 ± 0.79) log10 copies/ml(P ＞ 0.05),the ALT levels were (187.26 ± 184.15) U/L and (272.17 ± 215.07) U/L (P ＞ 0.05),PD-1 exprissions on CD4+ T cells were 6.04% ± 3.71% and 6.77% ± 2.88% (P ＞ 0.05),PD-1 exprissions on CD8+ T cells were 6.39% ± 3.33% and 8.88% ± 2.84% (P ＞ 0.05).After ETV treatment,serum HBV DNA loads and ALT levels both decreased gradually,which was positively correlated with PD-1 expressions on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (r = 0.212,P = 0.05;r = 0.377,P ＜ 0.01;r = 0.279,P ＜ 0.05;r = 0.347,P ＜ 0.01 ).During the same monitoring period,the HBV DNA loads,ALT levels and PD-1 expressions on T cells of the patients with HBeAg seroconversion decreased significantly as compared with the patients without HBeAg seroconversion.Besides,the decrease of HBV DNA loads during period △ T0-T1 and △ T0-T2 and PD-1 expressions on CD8+ T cells during period △ T0-T2 and △ T0-T3 were significantly different between these two kinds of patients (49.9% vs 37.3%,P ＜ 0.05;56.7% vs 47.4%,P ＜ 0.05;70.1% vs -4.2%,P ＜ 0.05;66.9% vs 24.5%,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The rapid decrease of PD-1 expression on peripheral CD8+ T cells after antiviral treatment with ETV is positvely correlated with the decrease of serum HBV DNA loads and may be used as a predictive index for HBeAg seroconversion in HBeAg positive patients.     

CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞在慢性乙型肝炎患者中的作用

目的 探讨CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞与乙型肝炎慢性化和病毒清除之间的关系.方法 收集慢性活动性乙型肝炎(CAH)患者19例、HBV携带者(AsC)21例、HBV感染恢复者12例和健康对照者15例.通过流式细胞术分析外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T细胞的表型和频率,磁珠分选(MACS)CD4+CD25+T细胞,实时荧光定量PCR方法 分析Foxp3 mRNA基因在CD4+CD25+T细胞的表达水平.统计学处理采用单因素方差分析或非参数检验.结果CAH或AsC组外周血CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T细胞频率以及CD4+CD25+T细胞中Foxp3 mRNA的表达水平显著高于健康对照组或HBV感染恢复者(F=6.8,F=3.72,均P<0.05).免疫组织化学染色发现,CAH患者肝组织Foxp3'T细胞浸润累积较对照组明显增高,但AsC较CAH减少.HBeAg阳性患者(包括CAH和AsC)CD4'CD25'T细胞频率显著高于HBeAg阴性患者(t=2.3,P<0.05),抗-HBe阴性患者显著高于抗-HBe阳性患者(t=2.4,P<0.05).CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T细胞频率与慢性乙型肝炎患者血清中HBV病毒载量存在正相关(r=0.56,P<0.01).结论 慢性乙型肝炎患者CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞异常与乙型肝炎慢性化和病毒清除有关.     

不同病毒载量HBV感染者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群和转化生长因子β的变化及意义

目的通过检测不同病毒载量慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者和HBV携带者(ASC)外周血T淋巴细胞各亚群变化的规律,探讨T淋巴细胞与人转化生长因子(TGF)β、ALT及TBil相关性。方法选择2012年7月至2012年12月兰州市第二人民医院收治的175例HBV感染者作为研究对象,分为ASC组(112例)、CHB组(63例),以同期健康体检者84例作为对照组。运用流式细胞术检测3组血清中T淋巴细胞亚群水平,同时检测肝功能指标等。正态分布的计量资料多组间比较采用方差分析,偏态分布的计量资料组间比较采Kruskal-Wallis H秩和检验。结果与健康对照组相比,ASC和CHB组TGFβ表达水平显著升高(P均0.05),CD3+、CD4+T淋巴细胞百分数显著降低(P0.05或P0.01),CD4+与CD8+T淋巴细胞比值显著降低(P0.01),CD8+T淋巴细胞百分数显著升高(P0.05或P0.01)。ASC与CHB组HBeAg阳性组和HBeAg阴性组患者CD3+、CD4+T淋巴细胞百分数均降低,CD8+T淋巴细胞百分数升高,CD4+与CD8+T淋巴细胞百分数降低。结论 TGFβ可能参与了CHB的发病过程,其免疫抑制作用可能是通过对T淋巴细胞、抗原递呈细胞成熟分化的抑制等多个环节发挥作用。     

慢性HBV感染及其相关肝病患者外周血T细胞亚群的变化

目的观察不同临床类型HBV感染者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群的差异,探讨HBV对人体T细胞免疫的影响及其可能机制,不同类型慢性HBV感染者免疫失衡的规律。方法用流式细胞仪技术检测患者外周血T细胞亚群。慢性HBV感染者318例,其中HBV携带者8例,慢性乙型肝炎231例,肝炎后肝硬化61例,原发性肝癌18例,观察患者的T淋巴细胞亚群、HBV DNA等。同时收集22名健康志愿者的新鲜血检测T淋巴细胞亚群。结果不同临床类型HBV感染者外周血CD3＋T、CD4＋T、CD8＋T细胞百分数低于正常对照组,差别均有统计学意义（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）,CD4＋/CD8＋比正常对照组低,但差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论慢性HBV感染随着病情进展,由慢性肝炎→肝硬化→肝癌,直至细胞免疫功能逐渐衰退。慢性HBV感染的不同阶段的细胞免疫紊乱各具特点,就不同类型患者应采用不同的免疫调节治疗手段。     

不同临床类型HBV感染者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群的变化

目的研究HBV感染者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群的变化及其临床意义.方法在33例慢性乙型肝炎轻度、50例中度、32例重度、64例肝硬化、51例慢性乙型肝炎肝衰竭和30例健康人,采用特异性荧光抗体标记法和流式细胞仪检测外周血T淋巴细胞亚群.结果慢性乙型肝炎重度、乙型肝炎肝硬化和慢性乙型肝炎肝衰竭患者与正常对照组比,CD3^＋、CD4^＋、CD8^＋细胞数和CD4^＋/CD8^＋比值显著下降（P〈0.05）,以慢性乙型肝炎肝衰竭下降最显著;HBeAg阴性患者外周血CD3^＋、CD4^＋和CD8^＋细胞数较HBeAg阳性患者显著减少（P〈0.05）;HBV DNA载量与患者外周血CD3^＋、CD4^＋、CD8^＋细胞数和CD4^＋/CD8^＋比值均无明显相关性.结论严重的HBV感染者存在不同程度的细胞免疫功能低下及免疫调节紊乱,细胞免疫功能下降程度与病毒复制水平无明显相关.     

Viral infection parameters not nucleoside analogue itself correlates with host immunity in nucleoside analogue therapy for chronic hepatitis B

AIM: To determine the relationship between host immunity and the characteristics of viral infection or nucleoside analogues (NAs) themselves in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) receiving NA therapy.METHODS: Fifty-two hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) positive CHB patients were enrolled and divided equally into two groups. One group received telbivudine (LDT, 600 mg/d), and the other group received lamivudine (LAM, 100 mg/d). Clinical, virological and immunological parameters were assessed at the baseline and at 4, 12, 24, 36 and 48 wk.RESULTS: Both groups achieved significant hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication inhibition and alanine aminotransferase normalization at 48 wk. At the baseline, compared to healthy controls, CHB patients had a lower circulating CD8 T cell frequency (29.44% ± 11.55% vs 37.17% ± 7.30%, P = 0.03) and higher frequencies of programmed death 1 positive CD8 T cells (PD-1+ CD8 T) (16.48% ± 10.82% vs 7.02% ± 3.62%, P = 0.0001) and CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) (23.64% ± 9.38% vs 13.60% ± 6.06%, P = 0.001). On therapy, at the beginning 24 wk with the levels of hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid (HBV DNA) and HBeAg declining, the frequencies of PD-1+ CD8 T cells and Treg cells gradually and significantly declined at 12 and 24 wk in both therapy groups. At treatment week 4, patients treated with LDT had a lower frequency of PD-1+ CD8 T cells compared to patients treated with LAM (10.08% ± 6.83% vs 20.51% ± 20.96%, P = 0.02). The frequency of PD-1+ CD8 T cells in all of the CHB patients was significantly correlated with both the HBV DNA level (r = 0.45, P = 0.01) and HBeAg level (r = 0.47, P = 0.01) at treatment week 24, but the frequency of Treg cells was only significantly correlated with the HBeAg level (r = 0.44,P = 0.02). Furthermore, the ability of CD8 T cells to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines was partially restored after 24 wk of therapy.CONCLUSION: NA-mediated HBV suppression could down-regulate the production of negative regulators of host immunity during the first 24 wk of therapy and could partially restore the ability of CD8 T cells to secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines. This immune modulating response may be correlated with the levels of both HBV DNA and HBeAg.