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Dynamic changes of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), natural killer (NK) cells, and natural killer T (NKT) cells in patients with acute hepatitis B infection.

AbstractBACKGROUND:
The goal of this study is to observe changes in HBcAg-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), natural killer (NK) and natural killer T (NKT) cells from peripheral blood and to relate such changes on viral clearance and liver injury in patients with acute hepatitis B (AHB).
METHODS:
Dynamic profiles on the frequency of HLA-A0201-restricted HBcAg18-27 pentamer complex (MHC-Pentamer)-specific CTLs and lymphocyte subsets in AHB patients were analyzed in addition to liver function tests, HBV serological markers, and HBV DNA levels. ELISPOT was used to detect interferon-gamma (INF-γ) secretion in specific CTLs stimulated with known T cell epitope peptides associated with HBV surface protein, polymerase, and core protein.
RESULTS:
HBV-specific CTL frequencies in AHB patients were much higher than in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) (p<0.05). HBeAg and HBV DNA disappeared earlier in AHB patients with a high frequency of HBV-specific CTLs compared with those with a low frequency of HBV-specific CTLs (p=0.001 and 0.024, respectively). INF-γ spots of effector cells stimulated by Pol575-583, Env348-357, or Core18-27 epitope peptides were significantly greater in AHB patients than in CHB patients (p<0.01). CD3+CD8+ T cell numbers in AHB patients was more than observed in the healthy control group from the first to the fourth week after admission (p=0.008 and 0.01, respectively); the number of CD3+CD8+ T cells and frequency of HBcAg18-27-specific CTLs in AHB patients reached peak levels at the second week after admission. NK and NKT cell numbers were negatively correlated with the frequency of HBcAg-specific CTLs (r=-0.266, p=0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
Patients with AHB possess a higher frequency of HBcAg-specific CTLs than CHB patients. The frequency of specific CTLs in AHB patients is correlated with HBeAg clearance indicating that HBV-specific CTLs play an important role in viral clearance and the self-limited process of the disease. Furthermore, NK and NKT cells are likely involved in the early, non-specific immune response to clear the virus.
AuthorsJun Li, Yaping Han, Ke Jin, Yufeng Wan, Shixia Wang, Bo Liu, Yuan Liu, Shan Lu, Zuhu Huang
JournalVirology journal (Virol J) Vol. 8 Pg. 199 (May 02 2011) ISSN: 1743-422X [Electronic] England
PMID21535873 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Interferon-gamma
Topics
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B (immunology, virology)
  • Hepatitis B virus (immunology, physiology)
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma (immunology)
  • Killer Cells, Natural (immunology)
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Natural Killer T-Cells (immunology)
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic (immunology)
  • Young Adult

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