Expressions and significance of interferon gamma produced by natural killer cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B / 中华传染病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the role of natural killer cells (NK cells) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods Blood samples and liver biopsies from 108 CHB patients including 43 mild, 28 moderate and 37 severe CHB patients were collected. The levels of interferon (IFN) gamma in liver tissues and peripheral blood were detected by intracellular cytokine staining.The data were analyzed by t test. Results The levels of IFN gamma produced by NK cells in liver tissues and peripheral blood of patients with severe CHB were (8. 12±4. 26) % and (4. 59±2. 95) % ,respectively, which were significantly higher than those in patients with mild CHB [(3. 53±1. 56)%and (2. 26±0.61)%, respectively; t=3. 80 and t = 4. 30, respectively; both P0. 05). The levels of IFN gamma produced by NK cells in liver tissues and blood samples in severe phase of severe CHB were (10. 02 ± 4. 15)% and (6. 78 + 2. 91)%, respectively, those in recovery phase were (6. 13±2. 01)% and (3. 13± 1. 52)%, respectively (t = 1. 89 and t=1. 74, respectively; both P<0. 05]. Conclusion NK cells may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of severe CHB.