Evaluation of circulating CD4+CD25+ and liver-infiltrating Foxp3+ cells in HCV-associated liver disease.
Int J Mol Med
; 29(6): 983-8, 2012 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22446965
ABSTRACT
In hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated liver disease, the immune system is unable to clear the viral infection. Previous studies have raised the possibility of an involvement of regulatory T cells (Tregs). In this study, we analysed the peripheral blood from 30 patients with HCV-associated chronic liver disease and 20 healthy controls by flow cytometry for the evaluation of the Treg population [CD4âºCD25hi forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3)âº], as well as the activated/effector CD4⺠T cells (CD4âºCD25low) and IFN-γ-secreting cells. We also analysed liver biopsies of the patients by immunohistochemical evaluation of Foxp3⺠cells. Our results showed higher proportions of CD4âºCD25low and IFN-γ⺠cells in the patients than in the controls. By contrast, the proportions of peripheral CD4âºCD25hi cells did not significantly differ. The 11 patients displaying Foxp3⺠cells in the liver infiltrates showed significantly higher proportions of peripheral CD4âºCD25low cells. Moreover, we found lower serum transaminase levels in the patients than in the controls, as shown by Foxp3⺠immunohistochemistry, although these results were only statistically significant as regards alanine transaminase (ALT). In conclusion, these data suggest that the presence of Tregs infiltrating the liver is associated with high levels of activated/effector T cells in the peripheral blood and lower activity of hepatitis. Therefore, liver-infiltrating Tregs may play a role in limiting tissue damage and may thus support an effective immune response against HCV.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Linfócitos T CD4-Positivos
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Movimento Celular
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Hepacivirus
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Fatores de Transcrição Forkhead
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Subunidade alfa de Receptor de Interleucina-2
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Fígado
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Hepatopatias
Tipo de estudo:
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adult
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Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int J Mol Med
Ano de publicação:
2012
Tipo de documento:
Article