Characterization of T cell immunity in chronic hepatitis B virus-infected mothers with postpartum alanine transaminase flare.
BMC Infect Dis
; 21(1): 922, 2021 Sep 06.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34488681
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Postpartum alanine transaminase (ALT) flares occur frequently in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected mothers with antepartum antiviral therapy (AVT). We aimed to characterize the T cell immunity in HBV-infected mothers experiencing postpartum ALT flares.METHODS:
Twenty HBV-infected pregnant women who received AVT at 26-28 weeks of gestation were enrolled and followed up until 15-18 weeks postpartum. Among the 20 HBV-infected pregnant women, 6 experienced postpartum ALT flare (AF mothers), while 14 did not (NAF mothers). T lymphocyte phenotypes and functions were analyzed using flow cytometry.RESULTS:
Compared to NAF mothers, the quantitative HBsAg levels in AF mothers decreased significantly at 6-8 or 15-18 weeks postpartum. Significant differences in HBeAg levels between these groups were only found at delivery. Regulatory T cell (Treg) numbers in AF mothers were lower than those of NAF mothers before AVT; however, there were no significant differences in Treg numbers at other follow-up points. Expression of other T cell phenotypes were similar between the two groups. T cells in AF mothers produced more pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-21, TNF-α, IL-2) or less anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) than those in NAF mothers before, during, or after antiviral treatment. The ratio of IFN-γ to IL-10 producing by CD4+ T cells or CD8+ T cells was higher in AF mothers than that in NAF mothers during pregnancy or after delivery.CONCLUSIONS:
The characteristics of T cell immunity was distinct between mothers with postpartum ALT flare and those without ALT flare from pregnancy to postpartum, which indicated that T cell immunity might get involved in postpartum ALT flare.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Hepatite B Crônica
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article