自身免疫性肝炎CD4+CD25+high调节性T细胞的研究

目的探讨CD4^＋CD25^＋high调节性T细胞（Tr）在自身免疫性肝炎（AIH）发病中的作用。方法用流式细胞仪技术比较分析AIH患者16例、慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）22例及键康正常人20例外周血中的CD4^＋CD25^＋high细胞，同时用免疫组织化学法检测AIH和CHB患者肝组织Foxp3的表达情况。结果AIH组外周血中CD4^＋CD25^＋high／CD4^＋百分比显著低于正常组（P〈0、05）和CHB组（P〈O．01），并且CHB组显著高于正常组（P〈0．05）；同时AIH组外周血中CD4^＋ T细胞也显著高于CHB组（P〈0．01））；肝组织Foxp3^＋细胞主要分布于肝小叶内窦周隙、汇管区，AIH组肝组织Foxp3^＋表达显著低于CHB组（P〈0．01）。结论CD4^＋CD25^＋high Tr细胞下降可能是自身免疫性肝炎发病的原因之一。

CD4+CD25+high regulatory T cells in patients with autoimmune hepatitis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of CD4+CD25+high regulatory T cells in the pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis. METHODS: CD4+CD25+ high regulatory T cells and CD4+ T cells were measured by using flow cytometry in 16 patients with autoimmune hepatitis, 22 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 20 healthy blood donors. Foxp3 protein was detected by immunohistochemical assay in liver tissues from the patients with autoimmune hepatitis or chronic hepatitis B. RESULTS: The percentage of CD4+CD25+high/CD4+ in patients with autoimmune hepatitis was significantly lower than that in healthy controls and patients with chronic hepatitis B. Meanwhile, the percentage of CD4+CD25+high/CD4+ highly increased in patients with chronic hepatitis B, compared with healthy controls; Foxp3 positive cells were mostly located in the hepatic lobular perisinusoidal spaces and the portal tract, and there was a significant difference in the quantity of Foxp3 positive cells between patients with autoimmune hepatitis and chronic hepatitis B. CONCLUSION: Patients with autoimmune hepatitis harbor a decreased percentage of CD4+CD25+ high regulatory T cells, which may be associated with development of autoimmunity.