Suppressive activity and altered conventional phenotype markers/mediators of regulatory T cells in patients with self-limiting hepatitis E.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of self-limiting acute viral hepatitis in several developing countries. Elevated levels of peripheral CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) , CD4(+) CD25(-) Foxp3(+) and rise in IL-10 in hepatitis E have been associated with the involvement of regulatory T cells (Treg). The functional role of the same is yet elusive. In the current study, we have assessed (i) Foxp3 expression by real-time PCR and by flow cytometry, (ii) the levels of antigen-specific IL-10 and TGF-ß by ELISA, (iii) functional analysis of Treg cells and (iv) expression of Treg-associated conventional phenotypes by flow cytometry in 54 acute patients, 44 recovered individuals from hepatitis E and in 33 healthy controls. Foxp3 mRNA elevation in the acute compared with recovered group and elevation in Foxp3(+) cells in both patient groups were significantly elevated. The levels of IL-10 and TGF-ß in the acute patients and TGF-ß in the recovered individuals were elevated. Significantly higher expression of CTLA-4, PD1, GITR, CD95, CD103 and CD73 on Treg and T effector (Teff) cells was detected in the patient groups. Treg cells of acute patients and recovered individuals exhibited suppressive activity indicating that the Treg cells of hepatitis E patients are functional. The suppressive capacity of Treg cells in acute hepatitis E patients was significantly higher compared with the recovered individuals. Based on our findings, the suppressive functionality of these key markers associated with hepatitis E Treg function need further exploration to get a better understanding of the mechanisms of Treg-mediated suppression.

Peripheral T regulatory cells and cytokines in hepatitis E infection.

This study addresses the involvement of regulatory T cells in hepatitis E (HE) infection. The study population comprised 77 acute viral HE patients, 52 recovered individuals (overall, 129 individuals with HE) and 53 healthy controls. Peripheral CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) and CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(+) frequencies by flow cytometry and HE-specific cytokines/chemokines quantitation were carried out. The median percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) and CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(+) T cells in acute patients were significantly higher compared to controls and recovered individuals. Both of the T regulatory (Treg) subset populations in overall HE were significantly elevated compared to controls. Comparisons of cytokines/chemokines revealed that the levels of IL-10 were elevated in: (a) acute viral hepatitis E (AVH-E) versus recovered individuals and controls, and (b) HE versus controls. Overall, the elevation of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) and CD4(+)CD25(-)Foxp3(+) frequencies and the rise in IL-10 suggest that Treg cells might be playing a pivotal role in hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection.

Profile of malignancies at Medical College, Ambajogai--(15 years retrospective study).

Present study comprises of a preliminary analysis of malignant lesions, diagnosed and confirmed by histopathological examination, carried out in Department of Pathology, S. R. T. R. Medical College, Ambajogai, from August 1976 to July 1991. 30,168 specimens were received for histopathological examination out of which 2,663 cases were diagnosed as malignant lesions (8.82%). 163 cases of leukemias were diagnosed by peripheral smear and bone marrow examination. Our of 2826 patients with malignant lesions 1,566 (55.41%) were males and 1,260 (44.59%) were females with M:F ratio as 1.24:1. Analysis of all malignant lesions showed more predilection towards genital organs (26.22%), gastrointestinal tract (13.72%) and breast (10.47%). Penis (11.36%), gastrointestinal tract (16.73%), oral cavity and tongue with pharynx (20.81%) and skin (11.11%) were leading sites in males where as cervix (30.63%) breast (22.46%), gastrointestinal tract (10.00%), skin (6.82%) and lymphoma, leukaemias (7.30%) were common sites for malignancies in females. The higher incidence of genital and skin tumours is discussed in the paper. Available data is compared with data from Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital Bombay and Cancer Hospital at Barshi in Solapur District of Maharashtra.